One of the options that some families choose after the death of a loved one is to give them a celebration of life instead of a regular service. A celebration of life honors the memory of the person and celebrates their life without only focusing on grieving their passing. This can be a good option for a person who did not like somber events or someone who was young. If you would like to offer this option to a loved one, you want to be sure you know how to plan one. Here are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Lowell, MA want you to know.
1. Decide on the format
There are many different ways to celebrate a life. You can have a traditional funeral service, or you can opt for something more creative, like a themed party or an outdoor gathering. There is no wrong way to do things, so long as the format feels comfortable for you and your family.
2. Choose a location
Having a celebration of life in a funeral home is not always the right option. Some people choose to have it at a place of worship, which can be a good idea if your loved one was religious. If they were not, you want to think about other options. You can choose to have the service at home. This can mean that you may need to limit the number of people who will attend the service, but that can be fine for many families. You can also decide on having the service outside, if your loved one enjoyed the outdoors, or anywhere else that might have meant something to them.
3. Set a date and time
Once you have chosen a location, you will need to set a date and time for the event. Keep in mind that some locations may require you to reserve space in advance, so be sure to plan accordingly.
4. Choose a program
One of the most important aspects of planning a celebration of life is choosing a program. You want to think about the kind of music and readings you have at the service. The music that you would choose for a traditional funeral home is not the same as that which you would use for a celebration of life. This does not mean that you cannot have religious music or classical music, it just means that you want to choose more uplifting options. The same thing applies to readings and even eulogies. It can be important to have more uplifting options for a celebration of life.
5. Make arrangements for food and drink
If you are hosting the event at a venue that does not have food or drink available, you will need to make arrangements for these items. You can either cater the event or provide your own food and drink.
6. Decorate the space
Take the time to choose flower options that are bright and friendly, or consider other kinds of decorations, like balloons. Those can be especially good for children’s celebrations of life. You also want to encourage people to wear bright clothes and to think of it as a party instead of a funeral or memorial service. That can make a huge difference.
7. Send out invitations
Once you have everything planned, it’s time to send out invitations. You can do this by mail, email, or even through social media. Be sure to include all of the important details, such as the date, time, and location of the event.
These are all important things you want to remember when getting ready to plan a celebration of life for a loved one. You will want to be sure that you think about the location that you want and that you speak with experts for help choosing the kind of music and readings that you may prefer. To learn more about celebrations of life, you can reach out to a Lowell, MA funeral home like us at Dolan Funeral Home. Our team is here to ensure you can get the exact services you want for a loved one. Call us right now or visit us today to learn more.