Celebration of Life

Celebration of Life

What Is a Celebration of Life?

In recent years, more and more families have begun to seek out alternative ceremonies and services to say goodbye to a loved one. A celebration of life is one such alternative that allows for a more positive atmosphere compared to a traditional funeral. Each of these options serve a similar purpose by fact that the events look to gather people close to the deceased to honor his/her life.

A celebration of life tries to relieve the level of grief and stress the bereaved face by instead focusing on celebrating accomplishments and positive memories of the deceased. Guests are there to celebrate a life well lived and share joyous memories and experiences they shared with the deceased. Freedom to be creative is one of the biggest factors that has grown the popularity of celebrations of life. Things like choice of music, décor, and food are all ways that families are able to celebrate their loved one’s personality, values, and passions.
celebrations of life in the bronx

Celebrations of Life vs Funerals

While there are many similarities between celebrations of life and funeral services, there are also some distinct differences.

Unlike a celebration of life, a funeral service often follows a level of tradition and order. The three main parts to a funeral include: the visitation, the funeral service, and the committal service. If your family would like the service to include a sense of spirituality, tradition, or religious elements, we encourage you to hold a funeral service.

A celebration of life differs in that there is more creativity and freedom involved in the planning process. The purpose of the service is to share the story of your loved one’s life and celebrate what made them special. This is accomplished by being able to include anything you think would help celebrate your loved one’s life and represent them best. There is also less of a time constraint or window to hold the service meaning your family can take time to make the service that much more meaningful. Often celebrations of life can take place weeks or even months after the remains have been cared for.

Celebration of Life Ideas

One way to enhance a funeral is by bringing a piece of the person's personality to life. Consider what made that person special, what made them who they were? Then find ways to link their individuality to traditional aspects of a funeral service.

While there are many reputable funeral homes that conduct celebrations of life in the Bronx, we truly take it a step above when it comes to these services. We will work hard to create a personalized event that celebrates your loved one’s life and legacy. Below are a few examples of how you can create a personalized celebration of life.

Other themes you may want to consider:
  • Military honors for a member of the armed forces
  • Tailgate party for a sports enthusiast
  • Harley-Davidson rally for the Harley owner

The Music Lover

celebration of life ideas music
If music was an important part of your loved one’s life, make sure that it is present during the celebration. Consider hiring a local band or musician to perform some of your loved one’s favorite songs during the event. If this is not an option, download and create a playlist of their favorite songs to be played instead.

The Chef

what is a celebration of life chef
If your loved one had a passion for food and cooking, make sure to include it at the celebration of life. We recommend holding a potluck where guests can try to recreate some of your loved one’s favorite dishes and serve them at the event. If you don’t feel like cooking, hire a local chef to cater the event instead.

The Artist

celebrations of life ideas artist
Whether it’s sculptures, paintings, drawings, or something else, use your loved one’s art as decorations for the celebration of life. Whatever the medium was they liked to work in, use their pieces to help decorate the space and showcase their work. If you want to get others involved, set up a small crafts table where guests can make simple crafts to take home as a keepsake.
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