Funeral or Something Else? What To Know About a Celebration-of-Life Service

As we get older, most people start thinking about our final wishes. Is a celebration of life event better for you or a loved one? Depends.

A celebration of life is different from a funeral in that it's often a less formal and more relaxed occasion. Many families believe that a celebration of life should be held in a more laid-back and festive setting.

Food and drinks are served throughout a celebration of life gathering, whereas you would not have that at a funeral. Although many people have a lunch reception following a formal funeral, where food and drink are served. 

A funeral is more ritualistic and sometimes often religious, whereas a celebration of life is more like a party.

What are Your Wishes?

The prospect of passing away one day is a cause of worry for many people. There are a lot of unknowns, especially concerning what life will be like for our loved ones once we're gone.

While it's a somber topic, deciding what you want before you pass away gives you some control over something you can't change. One option you have, instead of a traditional funeral service, is a celebration-of-life service. Let's look at what to know about this kind of service to see if it's right for you.

Defining a Celebration-of-Life

A celebration-of-life service is a joyful recognition of one's life rather than a somber acknowledgment at a funeral or memorial service. It is a highly personalized service that provides the space for your loved ones to support each other in their grief in often unique and fun ways that traditional services don't encourage.

A Focus on You

Celebration-of-life services are focused on who you were in life. While traditional funerals usually have a spiritual component and an officiant directing it, celebration-of-life services let guests have an interactive experience. You can think of it more like a get-together to remember you.

The details of the event largely depend on your wishes. Just as the activities at a party vary, so does what you decide to do at a celebration-of-life service. For example, if you were a sports lover, you might want guests at your celebration to don your favorite team's jersey and have them play a game. You can even have a game on the TV in the background.

The options are endless, and people have endless interests and tastes. This individuality is what appeals to many people about a celebration of life gathering. 

Freedom of Venue

Choosing a celebration-of-life service means you can let your friends and family members know exactly where to honor you. You can choose a unique venue for a celebration-of-life service to accommodate how and where you want to be represented.

For example, if you always felt most at peace in nature, you can suggest to your family and friends that they go on a camping trip or a hike. This gives them a chance to experience one of your great joys in life as they honor your passing.

Do Both

Nothing stops you and your family from having the best of both worlds. You and your loved ones may want a formal, religious funeral service, followed later by a celebration of life event. You can have your traditional funeral one day and a celebration of life weeks later. You can choose exactly what you want.

Deciding what you want when you pass away is a deeply personal affair. Making end-of-life plans are difficult but understanding your options can give you more control and peace. Now that you know what a celebration-of-life service entails, you may consider it a way to help your loved ones honor and remember you when you're gone.