When deciding to host a celebration of life service for a loved one who has passed, people are often unsure of what should be included in the ceremony. What you include in the celebration of life service is completely up to you, unless your loved one had specific instructions before he or she died.
A typical ceremony may include:
Speakers: Including the officiant, these presenters can talk about the deceased person’s life, hobbies, interests, work, etc.
Music: Live or recorded songs are appropriate and are usually of a genre that your departed loved one enjoyed. It is played sporadically or continuously throughout the service or only at the beginning (procession) and end (recessional).
Refreshments: Depending on the location of the service, guests can enjoy light refreshments or a complete meal. Family and guests may also gather at a nearby restaurant after the service.
Mementos: Scrapbooks, photo albums, video slideshows and personal items of the one who died are typically presented on memory tables and display boards.
Memorial Booklet: A simple brochure or pamphlet outlining the celebration of life service is given to all who attend as a keepsake of the event.
Memory Table: Display photos, scrapbooks and personal items about your loved one. For example, if he or she was a member of the military, you can display the uniform, American flag, medals or commendations, pictures, discharge papers, letters, etc..jpg)
Video slideshow: Typically one of the more emotional aspects of a celebration of life service, a video slideshow outlining the deceased’s life is a beautiful sentiment to add to this event. Include childhood photos, as well as those showing your loved one at his or her best. Consider making copies of the slideshow to hand out to guests as a keepsake.
Memorial notecards: On colorful card stock or index cards, guests can write a note to the family or their favorite memory of the person who died. These are then placed in a special memory box or bag and kept for future generations to read.
Plantable seed cards or tree saplings: Tree seedlings or personalized cards containing embedded flower seeds are a nice keepsake for guests. Once planted, the tree or blooming flowers will remind the guests of the loved one who died.
Memorial keepsakes: A variety of keepsake items are available can be placed on the memorial table, by the guestbook, or at each guest's seat. Keepsakes allow guest to have something tangible that reminds them of the person who passed.
Balloon release: Guests can launch their balloons into the sky at the same time. A poem or prayer may be read prior to the release, and a song is often played during the release.
Dove release: Releasing funeral doves as part of the celebration one not only pays tribute to the person who has died, but it can also prove emotionally uplifting and inspirational for the guests attending the ceremony. The sense of peace and closure is almost tangible.
Butterfly release: The butterfly is nature’s ultimate symbol of change, transformation and beauty. Releasing live butterflies for a loved-one is a unique way to honor and remember them.
Guestbook: As with typical funerals or memorial services, a guestbook is available for guests to sign.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to planning a celebration of life service. Be sure to keep the event in check with what your loved one would have wanted. For assistance with planning a celebration of life ceremony, contact A Classic Touch Celebration.
A Classic Touch Celebration, Inc.
PO Box 2312
Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 289-9225
info@classictouch.info
www.classictouch.info
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