Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easybut there are many ways to celebrate the end of someones time on earth and make the process slightly more sweet than bitter. Traditional funerals and memorial services are common ways of remembering a deceased loved one and preparing that loved one for final rest. A celebration of life service is a way for family and friends to pay tribute in an even more personal manner. Southern Cremations Funerals offers gracious and sensitive guidance to help families plan funeral memorial services that honor the unique lives of their deceased loved ones. Let our expert funeral directors help you plan a ceremony to remember the deceased person in a way that is special to your family. Did your loved one know what type of ceremony they wanted as a way to celebrate their life? If you are struggling for ideas, here are eight options that you may find to be the ideal fit. What Is the Difference Between a Celebration of Life vs a Funeral? A funeral and a celebration of life service both pay tribute to someone who has died. A funeral service is typically more immediate after death and commonly includes traditional elements such as a viewing at the funeral home, a formal service with speakers and a gathering at the burial site. A celebration of life, however, may be held at time of death or sometime after, similar to a memorial service, but with a more celebratory overtone that allows friends and family to honor the life of their loved one in a uniquely personal way. There is no right or wrong way to pay respects to your deceased loved one. It is a deeply personal decision that families make together. How Do You Celebrate the Life of a Deceased Person? By allowing a period of time between a persons passing and a celebration of life service, theres more time to grieve and heal, notify guests who live further away and plan a celebration that honors the deceased. Celebration of life ceremonies for the deceased are only limited by your imagination and can range from quiet gatherings to full-blown parties. Here are eight celebration of life ideas: Create a Video or Slideshow A personalized video or slideshow featuring special moments and loved ones is a beautiful way to remember the life of the person who has passed. This can be presented on a large screen as everyone watches together or looped over and over for guests to watch throughout the celebration of life service or during a viewing. Some funeral homes provide this service, while other families prefer to make their own videos. Ask Attendees To Share Their Favorite Memories Most people attending a celebration of life will have plenty of memories of the deceased. Allow them to share those memories with a prepared or impromptu speech, photos, videos or even just one-on-one conversations. Some families choose to have an open-mic time that gives anyone the chance to stand up and share. This can be a good way for many people to work through the grieving process. Invite Guests To Make a Donation If your loved one was passionate about a cause, it makes sense to ask attendees to make a donation in the deceaseds name to their favorite charity, organization or scholarship fund. It may feel slightly awkward at first to do so, but most people want a way to pay their respects that is meaningful to the person who passed away. This provides an opportunity for guests to feel good about giving to a cause that the deceased really cared about. Plant a Tree A great way to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one is to plant a tree in their memory at a local park or memorial garden, or send guests home with seed packets to plant in their own yards, to keep the celebration of life ongoing. Memorial gardens are good options because they are set up precisely for this purpose. Planting a tree there gives you a place to visit and watching it grow will remind you of the everlasting memories you have of your deceased family member. Have a Release Ceremony There is something about gazing up at the sky during a releasing ceremony that brings it all into perspective. Bubbles, butterflies or floating lanterns are beautiful and environmentally appropriate ways to celebrate the life of a loved one. This can take place during a celebration of life or separately; some families hold release ceremonies every year on the anniversary of their loved ones passing. Encourage Guests To Wear a Favorite Color While it is a long-standing tradition to wear black as a sign of mourning, asking guests instead to wear the deceaseds favorite colors honors their memory in a more colorful, uplifting way. These occasions can feel somber, but infusing color into the celebration can help remind guests of the happy memories they have of their loved one. Create a Custom Playlist No funeral or memorial service is complete without music, but you dont have to stick to religious hymns or sad songs. Create a custom playlist that includes your loved ones favorite tunes that you can play throughout the celebration of life. This can either be playing in the background as you mingle with guests or it can be part of a program. Collect Recipes for a Book If your deceased loved one was well known for being an excellent cook, share their recipes in a cookbook with attendees. These can serve as both a memorial for the life of the deceased but also an heirloom item that family members will treasure and use for years to come. Make a copy for each attendee so that they can have a part of their loved one in their own kitchens. Southern Cremations Funeral Services Celebration of Life Planning Creating a unique celebration of life service is one of the most rewarding ways to memorialize and recognize the life of a loved one. For assistance planning a traditional funeral, memorial service or celebration of life, please contact one of our compassionate directors. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist you in your immediate time of need and into the future.