What is a Celebration of Life?

• Positive Atmosphere: Instead of dwelling on sadness, a Celebration of Life aims to foster an atmosphere of joy, positivity, and remembrance.
• Personalization: Each event can be tailored to reflect the deceased person’s interests, values and personality through elements that highlight their hobbies, accomplishments and unique characteristics.
• Stories and Memories: Attendees are encouraged to share personal anecdotes or memories that highlight special aspects or moments from someone’s life.
• Celebrate Life Events Can Take Place Anywhere: Celebrations of Life can be held in various venues – be it outdoor spaces, homes or community centers – to provide a comfortable and meaningful celebration environment.
• Flexible Structure: Celebrations of Life have no standard format, enabling families to select elements most meaningful to them – speeches, music performances, readings from books about their loved one’s life story, photo displays and much more can all contribute.
• Focus on Connection: The event offers family and friends an opportunity to come together, support each other, and honor the life they shared with their loved one.
• Honoring Individualism: Celebrations of Life recognize that everyone is unique and strive to honor it in an honest and genuine manner.
• Inclusive of Cultural and Religious Traditions: While celebrations of life tend to be secular events, they can include cultural or religious elements that hold significance for both the deceased and their family members.

Overall, a Celebration of Life provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate all that was good about someone’s journey while providing healing and comforting memories of them to those grieving, while remembering and commemorating their legacy.