A Celebration of Life
“May love be what you remember most.” Darcie Sims
What is a Celebration of Life?
Saying goodbye is a hugely personal moment. Sometimes elements of a traditional funeral don't quite feel right.
A celebration of life is an end-of-life event held to honour someone’s life, rather than remember their death. You could hold one instead of, or combined with, a more traditional funeral.
A funeral is about the body's final resting place, whilst a celebration of life is about the person’s life
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Though it’s a celebration, it might still have traditional funeral elements, like readings from a religious text or a formal dress code. Equally, it might have neither of these things!
In other words, what happens at a celebration of life will vary hugely based on the wishes of the person who’s died and their loved ones
A celebration of life may take place in a venue to suit the family, and may not have the body present, and even may take place some time after death. Some people prefer this to a traditional funeral, as it gives them more time to prepare.
If the person who’s died has had a cremation, you might also choose to have their ashes present too.
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Essentially a Celebration of Life focusses on the person you have lost and gives freedom to plan and to celebrate that person's life in the way you see fit. A celebrant can help to plan and lead this ceremony for you and make it a fitting tribute and goodbye.
Direct Cremations
A standard cremation includes a traditional funeral service at a crematorium. A direct cremation is a cremation you do not attend. The funeral directors and the crematorium will take your loved one into their care, perform the cremation and bring the ashes back to you. With a well chosen funeral director this will be managed with the same dignity and care as a more traditional approach.
Having a direct cremation then allows you to create your own ceremony, in the venue of your choosing where family and friends can gather to remember, reflect and celebrate the person you have lost.
This may be at a meaningful venue, an afternoon tea or a gathering at beautiful outdoor spot, the choice is yours and therefore can make a sad occasion feel even more special.
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I can help to lead and plan with you the ceremony you wish to create following a direct cremation. I can help guide you in the elements you may wish to include and provide ideas, creativity and resources to support.
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How I Can Help
As a celebrant, I will support you in leading your Celebration of Life event, guiding you in the nature of the elements you could include and the atmosphere you wish to create in remembrance and in saying goodbye.
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I can host and lead the ceremony, to include readings, reflection from family and friends, tributes as well as shared element to make this farewell a fitting and appropriate event to mark the person you have lost.
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Celebrations of Life are bespoke ceremonies and are as individual as the people they celebrating.
Prices start at around £330, however please get in touch for an individual quote.