“One lives in the hope of becoming a memory.” ~ Antonio Porchia
When you think about your life would you want people to remember the happy times and celebrate or would you want a more traditional subdued affair such as a funeral? Many people are opting to choose a celebration of life to respect those who have died and for good reason. Subdued funerals or memorial services can oftentimes leave friends, family, and loved ones sad and overwhelmed due to the traditional practice.
While it’s always sad to lose a loved one, a celebration of life focuses more on the joyful aspects of the deceased's life rather than mourning. Here are a couple of things you can expect:
It’s ok to smile
A celebration of life might feel more like a party than a funeral. The location may have been chosen by the deceased before they died or in someone’s home, a park, or even a restaurant or banquet facility. Stories about the deceased are encouraged to share among attendees, along with music, favorite photos, and other personal touches. It’s more or less an upbeat memorial service. It’s ok to encourage humorous stories or memories as well as memorable situations as they pertain to the deceased individual.
Timeframe
Unlike traditional memorial services, a celebration of life does not have to take place right after the individual has died. A celebration of life can take place several weeks, months, or even a year after the individual has died. Some people choose the anniversary of the actual death for the celebration date.
What to wear
A celebration of life is less formal but you should pay attention to cues when it comes to the location or venue and if attire is a question, always ask the planner what is appropriate.
Arrangements
You may still send floral arrangements depending on the venue, but many people opt to choose arrangements that are less formal and more personalized to the individual such as an arrangement of their favorite color, sports team, or alma mater. Instead of floral arrangements, you may be asked to make a donation to a worthy cause the deceased individual was passionate about. Setting up a scholarship in their name is also common.
No matter what kind of ceremony you choose, always think of the deceased and if this is a way that represents their life. Cremation services allow family members to choose from burial to scattering remains to wherever they please. A memorial service or a traditional service is a beautiful way to say goodbye with all of their loved ones present. Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.
Sources:
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-a-celebration-of-life-4583830
