Knowing how to plan a celebration of life is not an ordinary skill many of us have. Since you don’t have to plan these events often, you’ll find step-by-step directions here. There’s also a checklist to help you succeed in creating a memorable celebration.
How To Plan A Celebration Of Life: Guide And Ideas
Celebrations of life differ from funerals in that they focus on sharing the life, memories, and joys of your loved one. On the other hand, funerals tend towards a more formal and somber air. Honor your loved one to best suit their personality and lifestyle.
What Is A Celebration Of Life?
The first step in planning a memorial is having a good idea of what a celebration of life is. These events focus on the beauty of knowing and loving someone rather than on the sadness and grief of losing them. Celebrations of life focus on sharing memories, stories, and photos of your loved one.
Of course, tears still flow even during celebrations. But so do laughter, joy, and sharing stories and memories. A celebration of life takes place in a timeframe that makes sense to your family. It might be shortly after death or several weeks to months later. Your family selects the right timing.
Read: Memorial Service vs Funeral vs Celebration Of Life
Think About Your Loved One
Before you get too far into planning the event, it’s a good idea to take a few moments to think about your loved one. So here are some questions to ponder.
- What special interests did your loved one hold? Think about hobbies, collections, and volunteer work. How did they spend their time?
- Did your loved one have a favorite color, style, or passion? Think about one that meant so much to the deceased that it honors them by having guests wear this color or particular style. Maybe pink for breast cancer, purple for a princess, tie-dye for a free spirit, or jerseys for a sports enthusiast.
- What do people think of when they think about the deceased? Was she known for knitting or crafting? Or maybe he was known for telling the best Dad jokes. Reflect on your loved one’s personality to help set the tone for the celebration of life.
Step-By-Step Celebration Of Life Planning, Checklist, And Guide
You can plan your own service before death if you’d like. Or maybe just leave some general guidelines for the event you’d enjoy. This information helps your family in planning your celebration of life.
However, if you’re unsure where to start, you’re in the right place. Here are the steps in how to plan a celebration of life.
1. Decide On A Date And Time
Part of the beauty of choosing a celebration of life over a funeral is that you have no time restrictions. Funerals usually occur within two weeks of a person’s death. But celebrations might occur many weeks or even months after death.
- Check with family members about scheduling conflicts. When a family is spread out in different locations, selecting a date that allows for traveling arrangements becomes more critical. You may need to schedule later to make flight costs affordable.
- Also, consider weather conditions. For example, sunny or warm weather is preferable to the cold if you plan a backyard BBQ or a group hike.
Deciding on a future date gives you time to plan the perfect memorial. You may want to hire a professional planner with a full immediate schedule. More venue options also open up as you look towards a future date.
2. Set A Budget
It’s essential to clearly understand how much your family can spend on a celebration of life. Setting a budget helps determine all the rest of your planning. It also helps deflect financial conflicts among family members.
No one wants to admit it, but funerals and celebrations of life often create financial hardship. So have a frank discussion about how much your family can afford to spend.
3. Make A Guest List
Getting an idea of guest headcount aids in planning a celebration of life. Your budget may determine the size of the gathering, which is another good reason to talk about finances. Your headcount number may also determine the location you can choose.
- How many attendees?
- Are you sending specific invitations, a general Social Media announcement, or both?
- Should you tell distant relatives about the death and memorial?
4. Choose A Location
Select a location for the celebration of life. These are often less formal events, so you have many options.
- Backyard Potluck or BBQ
- Local Park
- The Deceased’s Favorite Pub or Restaurant
- A Funeral Home
- A Church
- An Event Venue
An advantage to hosting a celebration of life at a funeral home, church, or event venue is their having tables, chairs, linens, A/V equipment, and other similar items. In addition, of course, a restaurant or tavern often has large meeting rooms for private events.
Some venues, like this choice in Portland, Oregon, even offer professional coordinators to help with all aspects of planning a celebration of life. Your budget and headcount play into which location your family chooses.
Consider parking availability and equipment rentals needed when deciding on a location for a celebration of life.
How long is a typical celebration of life at a venue? Many venues give you a 4 to 6-hour window for hosting your event. Since they provide most of the setup and cleanup, your time is for any personal setup and the celebration itself.
5. Select A Theme: Celebration Of Life Party Ideas
Some families tailor the event specifically to the deceased. Here are some celebration of life party ideas.
Celebration of Life Party Ideas for a Spouse or Partner
- Host a Netflix-binge party for their favorite series or show.
- Rent a unique venue for a catered event.
- Throw a potluck celebration of life.
- Plan a destination event where family members travel to a favorite location.
Celebration Party Ideas for Dad, Brother, or Grandfather
- Host a backyard BBQ.
- Set up a golf tournament.
- Host a football watch party.
Celebration of Life Ideas for Mom, Sister, or Grandmother
- Host a luncheon after Sunday’s church service.
- Ask friends and family to join a memorial walk or run.
- Start a book club to read her favorites.
Celebration of Life Ideas for a Child
- Host a playground party at a local park on your child’s birthday.
- Turn their ashes into fireworks.
- Host a playdate at a school gym.
6. Make Food And Drink Selections
One of the first questions planners ask is, “Do you serve food at a celebration of life?” And the answer is usually, yes, serve food.
- Catered event
- BBQ with hamburgers and hot dogs
- Potluck “favorite foods” buffet
- Restaurant sit-down meals or pub food appetizers
- What drinks will you serve? Will you include alcoholic beverages?
7. Choose An Officiant
Who will lead the celebration of life? You might have a family member who is perfect for this role. Someone who enjoys speaking in front of a crowd is ideal. You may choose to hire an officiant or celebrant. So ask your funeral director for local suggestions.
Also, decide who will perform the eulogy for the deceased. A family member might read the obituary or other life summary. Perhaps a close friend will share special memories.
8. Select Music And Readings
Music and readings add a personalized touch to the celebration of life. First, make choices based on the deceased’s favorite songs and literature. Then, decide if the music will be live or from a pre-selected playlist.
Friends and family members may want to share short memories of the deceased. Decide on who will perform each reading and inform them of timelines.
9. Select Video Images And Display Photos
Many families enjoy putting together videos and slide shows for the event. Select images and videos that show the deceased in happy moments. Celebrations of life focus on joyous occasions with your loved one. So keep your displays and videos upbeat.
Ask close friends and family to contribute photos or memorabilia to display at the service.
10. Choose Memorabilia To Display
You might also like to create a display showcasing the deceased’s favorite hobby or passion. It could be a memory board full of sports cards and memorabilia. Or perhaps set up easels displaying quilts crafted by your loved one.
You could also use this display to offer take-home mementos for your guests. For example, small cards with wildflower seeds pressed into them would create memorial gardens all over town. Or golf balls imprinted with the deceased’s name give your loved one another round.
Conclusion
A celebration of life takes a bit of thought, but it isn’t complicated. First, the planning process allows you to reflect on your loved one’s life. Then you can honor them with a meaningful event. Finally, flesh out details in a few steps, so you can dive right into the personalization.
- Select a time and date.
- Set a budget.
- Think about the guest list.
- Choose a location.
- Decide on a theme (if you want one).
- Make food choices: Will you serve the deceased’s favorite foods or host a potluck?
- Determine who will lead the celebration.
- Select music and readings.
- Select items for display: photos, videos, hobby items, and collections.
Once the celebration of life starts, it’s your time to relax. Honor your loved one by relaxing in the flow of a well-planned party and memorial.
