If you are planning a funeral or memorial service, consider these unique life celebration ideas.
Think about what your loved one treasured most, like a favorite hobby, activity or place, and incorporate these elements into your event.
Dedicate a Memorial Bench
While a memorial service or funeral provides an opportunity to honor your loved one, a celebration of life is more personal and allows guests the chance to connect with others who shared similar experiences. To help you plan an unforgettable event, Dignity Memorial(r) professionals offer a wide range of products and services that can be used to honor your loved one.
If your loved one enjoyed a particular sport, consider hosting a sports themed celebration of life. You can display their memorabilia and mementos and invite guests to join in on a sport they all enjoy. Alternatively, you can organize a sports tournament in their honor for an exciting and meaningful experience. You can also include a music theme, which many people will appreciate.
Design Cremation Jewelry or Artwork
There are many different ways to honor a loved one after their passing. Some people choose to hold whatâs called a celebration of life in place of or in addition to a traditional memorial service.
This type of event is less formal and tends to focus on the joy that a person brought to those around them. A buck list party, which involves creating a bucket list of things your loved one wanted to do but never got the chance to, is also a great way to bring smiles and laughter to attendees.
A guest book is a great way to allow people to write notes to or about your deceased friend or family member and display them for all to see. Other fun and touching ways to
memorialize
your loved ones include a balloon, lantern or dove release.
Host a Dance Party
As COVID restrictions ease, more families are opting to hold celebrations of life instead of or in addition to traditional funerals and memorial services. These uplifting events are often more informal, and can be shaped around the unique passions of your loved one to create a one-of-a-kind tribute.
If your loved one was a sports fanatic, organize a tournament in their memory. This is a great way to bring everyone together, share stories, and pay their respects.
If your loved one was a flower lover, host a crafting station where guests can make their own unique bouquets to take home as a lasting reminder. This is a fun activity that will help break the ice and get people talking! For more ideas, download Imagine, our free guide filled with creative memorial options or contact a Dignity provider near you.
Create a Special Holiday
Some families choose to host a celebration of life instead of or in addition to a funeral. For those who choose to do so, itâs possible to create a one-of-a-kind event that truly honors your loved one.
Guests can sign a guest book at your celebration of life service to share a memory or message with you. If you would like, you can also have them write notes on balloons or lanterns that will be released at the end of the ceremony.
Music can help set the mood for a celebration of life service, and it can be
especially
healing to listen to favorite songs. You may even choose to record a song in honor of your loved one. You can also create a playlist for guests to enjoy later.
Adopt a Star
Many families choose to create a tribute video for their loved oneâs celebration of life event. This is a wonderful way to share memories with everyone who attends the event.
If memorial for ashes your loved one enjoyed travelling, make it a part of their celebration of life. Set up a map of the world and display pictures from their various trips. Ask guests to bring along any souvenirs they may have from the trip as well to add a personal touch to the display.
If your loved one loved to sail, boat, kayak or cruise, consider a floating memorial in their honor. Whether you rent a riverboat, a sailboat or a yacht, this is a lovely and meaningful way to remember your loved one. You can also have a new rose cultivar named after your loved one