If you’re responsible for planning a celebration of life event but have never been to one, it can be difficult to know how to organize one and what to include in the program. Let’s start by answering the question, ‘What is a celebration of life?’ Quite simply, a celebration of life is an uplifting way to show appreciation for someone and the life they led. When we lose someone, we don’t want to just mourn them, but celebrate everything about that person that made them special to us. So, when planning a celebration of life program, include things that represent your loved one’s personality. Here are some celebration of life ideas to help get you organized:
1. A Memory Collage Wall
Invite guests to contribute pictures, letters, and mementos that embody the person being remembered. The finished collage provides a uniquely personal tribute that reinforces the joy friends and family shared with the departed.
2. Make it Sporty
Sports have a unique ability to unite people. If your loved one had a favourite team, make that the focus of the celebration of life: invite guests to watch that team in action, wear that team’s gear, or bring hand-written signs supporting that team.
3. Favourite Floral Tributes
Create a vibrant and aromatic tribute by encouraging everyone to bring flowers to the celebration. The flowers can be favourites of the loved one, or they can hold personal significance for the guest’s relationship with them. Other ideas include creating floral centrepieces that include a favourite picture of your loved one that guests can take home or offering guests a choice of seed packs they can plant in their own gardens.
4. A Candlelight Vigil
Provide your guests with candles during the celebration of life. The collective glow from their candles is a powerful yet simple gesture that reminds everyone of the light the departed brought to their lives.
5. Charitable Acts in their Honour
Acts of kindness are a great way to honour the person being remembered. If your loved one had a favourite charity, encourage guests to volunteer their time, make a donation or organize a charitable event in their memory where friends and family can participate. For instance, ask them to join you in a blood donation clinic, Handbags for Hospice, or a Run for the Cure team.
6. A Musical Tribute
Music is a powerful way to evoke cherished memories. Create a playlist of the departed’s favourite songs that held special meaning for them. Even better, arrange for a live performance if you feel it’s appropriate.
7. Story Time
Invite guests to toast your loved one with their favourite drink as they share stories that provide insight into their relationship with them. They can be funny, sad, joyful, or all of the above.
8. An Outdoor Commemoration
Being among the natural beauty of the outdoors is a good reminder that life is to be cherished. A setting like a park or beach provides a picturesque and peaceful backdrop for your celebration.
9. Personalized Keepsakes
Provided guests with mementos that celebrate the life of the departed. Things like custom-made jewelry, bookmarks, or some other small token like their favourite snack or beverage serve as tangible reminders of the person you all have in common.
10. A Video Montage
Visual tributes are a great way to reinforce the impact the person made on the lives of friends and family. Use photographs, video clips, and recorded messages to tell the story of a life well lived at your family gathering for a Celebration of Life.
These are just a few ideas to help get you started. Ultimately what happens at a celebration of life is entirely up to you because you know your loved one best. Just remember to keep these things in mind when creating your celebration of life program: Does it reflect your loved one’s personality? Would they agree with the choices you made? If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then chances are the celebration of life ideas you’ve chosen will be both joyful and respectful.
