Inspiration for Celebrations

A celebration of life isn’t necessarily non religious. For people of many faiths, it is an occasion for mourners to give thanks for a life that’s been lived. Hymns, uplifting music, poems and readings can form part of a thanksgiving of life service. A religious minister can help you with putting together a meaningful service.

A celebration of life for people who were not religious might like to consider using a celebrant who can help with creating a ceremony that reflects the deceased’s personality.

Whether you are planning your own funeral, or for a loved one, a celebration of life reflects on how someone will live on, in the hearts and minds of others. A celebration of life may take place on the same day as the direct cremation or it may be a special memorial you plan in the days and weeks giving many people the opportunity to play a part in remembering the life of the person who has died.

If you’re the person organising a celebration of life funeral, you’ll need to think about the elements that would have mattered most to them. It’s also good to be mindful of the wishes of other members of the family – a funeral is not just a farewell, but an important first step in the grieving process.

Would your loved one have wanted people to sing, or dance, take a trip to their favourite spot or have a traditional afternoon tea? Be sure to include details ahead of time, so that other people know what to expect;

Where can you hold a celebration of life funeral?

When you’re organising a celebration of life, you can hold it at a location that had special meaning.   It could be that, after you’ve arranged for the direct cremation itself, you’d prefer the celebration of life ceremony itself to be in a place of special significance.

A celebration can take place after someone has been cremated and include the committal or at the scattering of their ashes. If your loved one spent a lot of time at the beach for instance, the beach would make the ideal spot to hold a picnic or barbecue which would be a fitting for their celebration of life party.

You can also host a celebration of life at your own home or in the local community centre or even pub. There are so many venues on the Isle of Wight to choose from. Just like any social gathering, as long as there is enough space to host the people you’ve invited, a celebration of life can be held almost anywhere and at any time.

Here are a few ideas for a celebration to help inspire you:-

• If they were a keen gardener plant a favourite shrub, rose or tree in their memory and hold a garden tea party
• Enjoyed a pint at their local? – hold a fun celebration at the pub
• Plan a picnic at their favourite beach on the Island. Invite family and friends to each bring a dish. Finish off with a refreshing dash into the sea.
• Take a ‘ride out’ to the Downs, stop for an ice cream whilst looking out across the countryside and sea

Some ideas for things to bring on the day

• Make a Memory Board filled with photos to display
• Make a video filled with clips of the person
• Serve their favourite food and tipple
• Play their favourite tracks. Before hand ask family for songs that remind them of their loved one and play them or even hire a band.

The list of ideas is endless and you can truly personalise the celebration. Also if family members are out of the country you can a pick a date to be convenient for when everyone can come together.

If working full time means it’s tricky in the week then hold it on a weekend when everyone can make it. There really is not limit to the possibilities.