Death is very somber. Thinking about the topic and dealing with it can lead people to a place in their minds where they would much rather not go. It can be hard for friends and family to accept their new life now that their loved one is gone. There is nothing wrong with feeling those feelings. Funerals are usually a way of saying our final goodbyes and honoring the lives of those we have lost. But the funeral and that goodbye do not always have to be sad and heavy situations. They can be triumphant, joyful, and celebratory. If this idea of jubilant goodbye interests you, then cremation services in Belle Plaine, MN can aid you in learning everything you need to know to put on a celebration of life ceremony.
What Is a Celebration of Life Ceremony?
A celebration of life ceremony is very similar to a funeral. Both take time to reflect and honor the life of the deceased, but a celebration of life tends to focus on turning a loved one’s death into a celebration more than a time to be sad. There is still mourning and crying, but the point of the celebration isn’t to focus on the fact that the deceased are no longer here, but on who they were and all that they brought to the lives of the people that they loved and cared about. There is much more focus on the joyful moments of the person’s life. And unlike a more traditional funeral, there isn’t one formula that a family must follow to perform a successful celebration of life ceremony. The celebration can be whatever the deceased’s family wants it to be.
How Does It Work?
One of the big differences between a celebration of life ceremony and a more traditional funeral is that a celebration of life ceremony doesn’t have to have the body present. These ceremonies can take place during the actual funeral itself or ash scattering ceremony, or they can take place weeks and months after the person has passed away. That decision is up to the family planning the ceremony.
What Do I Need to Know to Plan a Celebration of Life Ceremony?
Planning a celebration of life ceremony doesn’t differentiate too much from planning a funeral. There is still a list of things that must be addressed to perform a successful ceremony.
- What type of ceremony do you want to have?
- When will this ceremony take place?
- Where will the ceremony take place?
- Who are you inviting to the ceremony?
- Are you serving food and beverages at the ceremony?
- Will you play music at the ceremony?
- Will there be speakers to talk about the deceased?
Each of the topics listed above comes down to personal preference. If the deceased has planned a celebration of life ceremony before they passed away, then it makes sense to follow what they have laid out. If they haven’t, and a celebration of life ceremony is what the family wants to do, then they make all the decisions depending on how they want to honor their relative.
A celebration of life ceremony can be a beautiful and fun way to say goodbye to a loved one. It allows a family to remember the good times that they had with their relatives. If you are interested in having a celebration of life ceremony to honor your relative, call us or visit our office today.
