Suppose you’ve determined that a celebration of life is the best way to honor and say goodbye to a cherished loved one. In that case, the next step is to prepare the ceremony. Funeral homes in Baltimore, MD are always at the beck and call to assist through this process.
There is no right or wrong way to go about this, especially if you follow your heart. If you’re seeking ideas or inspiration for a celebration of life, we’ve come up with a few unique and meaningful ways to commemorate a life lost.
Make Special Memories Together
Small or large gatherings can become even more meaningful when memories about a lost loved one are shared. This can elicit a wide range of feelings, from laughter to tears and a sense of healing and closure. The following are some terrific methods to start a conversation and get your guests laughing and exchanging stories:
- Leaving out scrapbooks and photo albums and asking guests to write down a quick memory to be read aloud and shared with everyone
- Presenting a memory slideshow set with music
Planting A Celebration Of Life Garden
This excellent suggestion didn’t require your loved one to be a gardener to be remembered for a long time. The belief that life is circular and that new growth will continue to spring even after we’ve passed away is an emotional and symbolic way to celebrate a loved one. Bring a favorite seed or tiny seedling to the service for each guest. Once everyone has gathered, incorporate everyone’s gifts into a magnificent garden that honors a life well-lived.
Arrange For A “Paddle Out” Ceremony
Paddle-out ceremonies can be spiritual and gorgeous, especially if you’re honoring someone who loved the water or the beach and was an ardent surfer.
To create a human circle for this floating memorial service, guests paddle out on surfboards, generally bearing flowers or leis. You could scatter some or all of your loved one’s ashes into the water during the ceremony if your loved one were cremated.
Celebrate With Music
When we’re going through a tough time, music has a unique way of lifting our spirits. You don’t need to be a professional musician to value the music you choose to play at the funeral.
One lovely suggestion is to have each attendee offer a song connected to their relationship with the deceased. Create a playlist based on all of the contributions to play at the service. Take it a step further by asking each person to explain why they chose the song they did.
Arrange For A Balloon Or Lantern Release
Lantern releases have become increasingly popular recently, particularly in Western society. There’s something quite remarkable about releasing a paper lantern with your loved one’s thoughts and prayers at the core of the release.
While balloons can have a similar effect, releasing them as a tribute raises environmental concerns. Lanterns, on the other hand, are usually environmentally friendly. As the celebration draws close, a release is a lovely and memorable way to give guests a sense of closure and serenity.
Funeral homes in Baltimore, MD recognize that saying goodbye may be challenging. We’ve prioritized advising and supporting our clients regarding end-of-life and legacy planning.
