Attending a celebration of life is all about honoring and remembering loved ones. A celebration of life differs from a traditional funeral. A standard funeral or memorial typically has a more somber tone. In contrast, as the name suggests, a celebration of life has a more celebratory tone.
The goal of a celebration of life is to honor and celebrate the person who has passed. This can be done through sharing memories, pictures, and stories. If you’re attending a celebration of life, you might wonder what you’re supposed to bring.
Not sure what you should bring to a celebration of life? In this article, we’ll suggest what to bring to a celebration of life.
What to Bring to a Celebration of Life: DIY Ideas
There are many ways to celebrate a life well-lived. From sharing mementos to browsing pictures, below are some ideas of items to bring to a celebration of life. These include easy, simple ideas as well as more creative DIY projects.
Photo and Video Ideas
You cannot go wrong bringing photos and video clips to a celebration of life. Through photos and videos, friends and family can view the deceased in a positive light. Not to mention, it gives each attendee a chance to see a person through your eyes.
Always remember the meaning of a celebration of life. When selecting photos or videos, choose happy and positive memories. A celebration of life is not the place for negativity of any type.
Video Slideshow
A video slideshow or PowerPoint presentation is a great way to celebrate a person’s life. This can be set up any way you’d like, perhaps from the early years to later years. You may also wish to include highlights or small clips from family videos.
A video slideshow helps share the best memories and cherish a person’s accomplishments. You can even add music or other tidbits of things the deceased person loved. Using a combination of still photos and videos, a slideshow can keep the memory of a loved one alive.
Slideshows can be made using various programs. Check out this easy online memorial video maker to get started. If you’re creating your own, these tips may help jumpstart your process:
When creating a slideshow, some people like to use a projector. They are often inexpensive to purchase. However, some libraries or local county offices have projectors to rent.
Photo Album
Creating a digital photo book (Shutterfly) or DIY photo album is an easy way to share your favorite memories. Include both serious and funny pictures for an enhanced celebration. Friends and family attending the celebration of life can browse through the photo album and reminisce about great memories.
The cover of your photo album should be encouraging and celebratory of life. It can include the person’s full name and date of birth/date of death, as shown in the example image below. If possible, bringing several copies of the photo album can be helpful. This allows multiple guests to browse and celebrate the deceased together.
Memory Board
Creating a memory board can enhance the celebration of life. A memory board may include photos, special quotes, religious passages, and more. If the deceased earned achievements, the memory board is a great way to honor them through a display.
For example, in the memory board example featured below, the tone is upbeat and celebratory. Memory boards can be created using a simple poster from the dollar store or using digital tools such as this board from Etsy.
If you’re more artistic, check out these easy ways to create beautiful memory boards. Be sure to bring a sign holder or easel to display your memory board at the celebration of life.
Scrapbook
A scrapbook is a bit more involved than creating a photo album. If you’re crafty and have the time, a scrapbook is a great idea to bring to a celebration of life. Gather some items based on the deceased interests. This can include stickers, scrapbooking, and vacation keepsakes. Many craft stores sell scrapbooking materials to jazz up your album.
A three-ring binder scrapbook works great for a celebration of life book. Each page can include a mixture of keepsake cut-outs, photos, and more. Friends and family may be willing to contribute memorabilia to add to your scrapbook.
When the event is over, offering the scrapbook to the closest family is a nice touch.
Store Bought Items
Short on time? There are also many items you can pick up at the store to bring to a celebration of life. The items listed below still have a unique touch that helps celebrate the deceased.
Music Album
A celebration of life is not complete without music. Grab an album of the deceased’s favorite music or artist to play at the celebration of life. A vinyl album is also a great way to share the cover artwork with guests.
If the deceased person had a passion for music, this should be represented in the celebration of life. The songs that you select should be appropriate for the upbeat and celebratory tone. Do not select somber songs to use during a celebration of life event.
Forever in Our Hearts Candles
Lighting a candle at a celebration of life is a common practice. When a candle burns, it is meant to symbolize the memory of a loved one as they “live on” in spirit. Bringing a candle to a celebration of life can do just that. If you know the deceased had a favorite scent, you can fill the air with this scent.
While a standard candle will suffice, a forever in our hearts candle adds a loving touch. For example, the personalized candle below shows the person’s date of birth and date of death. Another option is a photo candle which has a photo of the deceased too. If you select this option, choose a photo where the deceased was happy. This helps set the right tone for the celebration of life.
Engraved Stones
Looking for a unique item to bring to a celebration of life? An engraved celebration of life rock is a great idea. These could include favorite quotes from the deceased or positive messages. Many personalized options, such as the stone below, can be ordered.
You may wish to purchase a batch so guests at the celebration of life can each have one. This is a positive and tangible way to celebrate. These engraved stones can be used in memorial gardens or simply as a keepsake to cherish at home.
Often, symbols are important when grieving. If there is a symbol that you associate with the deceased, add this to your engraved stone. For example, a stone with a butterfly symbolizes hope.
FAQs About Celebration of Life Etiquette
Do I need to bring anything to a celebration of life?
It is common for guests to bring gifts or items to a celebration of life. These may be intended for the people closest to the deceased (wife/husband, children, etc) or for general use during the celebration. Whether you wish to purchase an item or create a DIY project, there are quite a few options.
While it’s never mandatory, bringing something to a celebration of life helps show support and love. The options mentioned above are just a few of the many options available. While flowers are typical for funeral services, flowers are not typically an item for a celebration of life.
In some cases, the person in charge of the celebration may have provided specific requests. It is standard that guests follow these requests out of respect for the person holding the event.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the proper etiquette and what is appropriate to bring to a celebration of life is not always intuitive. Ultimately, the best choice is to bring any item that helps support the celebration of one’s life and achievements.
A celebration of life is intended to provide comfort to those who are grieving. Unlike a funeral, the tone and mood are joyful and celebratory. As such, using photos, videos, or music loved by the deceased is a great place to start.
In addition, attendees should avoid bringing items of a somber nature. Remember, it’s a celebration of life!
Some of the best items to bring to a celebration of life include:
- Video slideshows
- Photo Albums
- Memory Boards
- Scrapbooks
- Music Albums
- Forever in Our Hearts Candle
- Engraved Stones
