Experiencing the death of a close friend or family member is never easy. When someone passes away, the one thing that we share with the deceased is memories. Memories of that individual stay with us long after they are no longer here. A celebration of life commemorates these memories and experiences shared with the dearly departed.
What is a Celebration of Life?
A celebration of life is a type of ceremony where people honour the “life” of the deceased. When someone passes away, grief and mourning are inevitable counterparts. The celebration of life ceremony focuses on remembering the deeds and accomplishments of the deceased. People during this ceremony reminisce about memories and experiences they shared with the dearly departed. This sort of ceremony not only honours the deceased but also allows people affected by the death to cope with their grief.
The celebration of life ceremonies is not part of any traditional or religious ritual and is a more contemporary form of celebrating the deceased. The lack of restrictions surrounding the celebration of ceremonies allows many people to express themselves freely.
Is it different from a Funeral?
Funerals are generally part of a religious ceremony and are very formal and structured. Depending on the religion, the bereaved family has to follow strict rituals. Since funerals take place soon after the passing of the person, people do not get time to mourn properly. All of this combined makes the funeral ceremony a very sombre event.
A celebration of life ceremony does not have any particular time constraint. Unlike the funeral, it focuses less on rituals but rather on remembering the person. The tone of the ceremony is more light-hearted, and the ambience is more relaxed and comfortable.
Is a Celebration of Life Ceremony the right choice?
You might be wondering if a celebration of life ceremony is the appropriate choice for your loved one. This ceremony is a lighter way to bid your last goodbye. A celebration of life ceremony is not an either-or situation. You can have a traditional funeral service and this ceremony if you decide to. A celebration of life ceremony also depends on the personality of the departed soul. If they were a type of person who was always joyous and was the life of the party, this type of celebration could be a way of paying homage to them. A celebration of life ceremony could also be a perfect way to bid farewell to those who had expressed they didn’t want a sorrowful day in their honour.
