Celebration of Life

Celebration of Life Services

Many families today want a service that celebrates the life of their loved one. We introduce them to the concept of a celebration of life service and provide support in designing a celebration of life that is as unique as the life of their loved one.


While it can be a challenge to put together an event that both pays tribute to and celebrates the life and spirit of a complex individual, it's also one of the most rewarding things any one of us can do for someone we've loved and lost. It is always a pleasure working together with families in planning a celebration of life for their loved one.

Sarah York opens her beautifully-crafted book, Remembering Well, with a very personal story about how her family chose to pay tribute to her mother. "My mother died in April 1983... She didn't want a funeral. 'Get together and have a party,' she had said when the topic was allowed to come up." However, she was quick to tell readers that the survivors did not honor the request. "We needed the ritual. We needed to say goodbye, but we also needed a ritual that would honor her spirit and would be faithful to her values and beliefs."


When Ms. York acknowledges the position of her family—that they needed not a party but a ritual—she teaches us all something important: the celebration of life services we plan with families should be shaped as much by their own emotional and spiritual needs as their desire to celebrate the life lived.

What is a Celebration of Life? 

More and more families are choosing to hold ceremonies that celebrate the life and personality of their loved one. A celebration of life ceremony acts as an alternative to a traditional funeral ceremony. It achieves the same purposes as a traditional funeral by gathering family and friends to pay tribute to the deceased. A celebration of life has a more uplifting atmosphere that reflects on positive stories and memories that involved your loved one. The major benefit of a celebration of life is that it allows you the freedom to best display your loved one’s personality, values, and passions, in whichever way you see fit.

The best way to start planning a celebration of life is to begin doing so while your loved one is still with you. This way you have the chance to ask them, “how do you want to be remembered?”, “what are you most passionate about?”, and “what would you like your celebration of life to include?”. This way you are not left guessing what your loved one would’ve wanted when it comes time to plan the celebration of life service.

Celebrations of Life vs. Funerals

Both funerals and celebrations of life serve as a way for families to acknowledge the passing of a loved one and say goodbye. However, there are many contrasts between the two ceremonies which commonly leads a family to choose one over the other.


A traditional funeral follows common rituals and customs, and tends to be a more structured ceremony. Usually, it has four main parts: the visitation, the funeral service, the committal service, and the funeral reception. For those looking for a sense of spirituality, religion, or tradition, we suggest holding a traditional funeral service rather than a celebration of life.


Through choosing a celebration of life ceremony, there is more freedom in the planning process. Essentially, this type of ceremony can include whatever your family thinks is appropriate to represent and honor your loved one. The purpose of this service is to tell the story of your loved one’s life and celebrate what made them special. 


In many cases, a celebration of life service is held after the body has been cared for. This allows your family more time to come together and plan a service that has includes input from everyone. It is common for families to hold a celebration of life weeks or even months after their loved one has been buried or cremated. This flexibility with time ensures you can schedule for a date for when family and friends are able to attend. In contrast, traditional funerals generally take place a couple days after death for the specific purpose of burial and a graveside ceremony.

Celebration of Life Ideas

Celebrations of life are all about personalization and capturing the spirit of your loved one. To truly make the service as unique as your loved one, check out the ideas below for inspiration.


*Please keep in mind, these are strictly ideas and in no way, are services currently offered by our firm. 

  • Create a time capsule
  • Host a dinner or potluck
  • Have a destination celebration of life
  • Plant a tree in your loved one's honor
  • Host a get together at their favorite place
  • Release a sky lantern
  • Host a tribute concert
  • Have a firework celebration in their memory

Ideas for a Celebration of Life

Just as each person is unique, each celebration of life service is personal and unique. As you explore ideas for a celebration of life service, consider what the deceased would enjoy, but also what the attendees will enjoy and what will meet their emotional and spiritual needs.

We have provided a few ideas, but this list is by no means completed. Use these celebration of life ideas as a starting point to plan the perfect service to suit your unique needs.

Are You Undecided? Turn to Us.

We've got years of experience listening, brainstorming, and advising families how they can best pay tribute to a beloved family member. Our staff always enjoy working together with families in planning a celebration of life for their loved one. That means we're the perfect people to help you decide between a funeral and a celebration of life. We'll explore your funeral service options with you in detail, taking all the time you need.


In the book Chocolat, by Joanne Harris, you'll find this fundamental truth: “Life is what you celebrate. All of it. Even its end.” As funeral professionals we help families express reverence for life. Let us do that for your family. 

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