A celebration of life is a unique alternative to a funeral service. It’s meant to tell the personal story of a loved one, to commemorate their life, and to unite friends and family in their shared grief. A well-chosen theme can satisfy all those things by reminding everyone of the many special ways the person touched their lives. But before you choose a celebration of life theme, there are a few things to consider.
Create a positive atmosphere
Celebrations of life aren’t only about tears. They can be full of laughter and joy as well. This is an opportunity for friends and family to share and remember the positive aspects of your loved one’s life. Bright colours, whimsical decorations, and humorous anecdotes can help reinforce those special memories.
Enlist others for help
You don’t have to do it alone. Include close friends and family when choosing a theme. Everyone brings different perspectives to the table that can inspire new ideas. By offering an open forum for others to offer suggestions, you’re ensuring the chosen theme represents your loved one while providing comfort to all involved. Another option is to use a celebration of life event planner to provide as much or as little help as you need.
With those things in mind, here are some celebration of life ideas:
Celebrate their Personality
Show friends and family who your loved one truly was and what their interests were. Consider their hobbies, passions, and achievements. Did they love to read, play cards, putter in the garden, or do karaoke? For example, if they loved the outdoors, choose a celebration of life venue that reflects that love, like a botanical garden that’s filled with flowers, or hold the celebration outdoors. Or, if they had a passion for music, build the theme around their favourite genre or artist.
Observe Cultural Traditions
Embracing the cultural background of your loved one often brings greater significance to their celebration of life. You’re not only honouring their heritage, you’re also creating a greater sense of familiarity for guests by using traditional music, customs, attire, venues, and most notably, food. Sharing the tastes and smells of a person’s cultural cuisine is a celebration of life for the senses.
Profile their Achievements & Milestones
Your loved one may have lived a life with many highlights worth celebrating. Consider building the theme around things like career accomplishments, personal milestones, or contributions to their community. Themes based on the person’s accomplishments demonstrate just how far-reaching their impact was on the lives of others. For instance, if they were known for their charitable work, use a philanthropy theme with decorations and activities that honoured their favourite charity.
Choosing a theme when planning a celebration of life is deeply personal because it’s about the memory of your loved one while also providing comfort to friends and family. A theme that says ‘this is who they were’ honours their memory in the best possible way. But if you’re still not sure where to start, a celebration of life event planner can help simplify things during this emotional time.
