How to Plan a Funeral That Celebrates the Person's Life

Funerals are traditionally fairly solemn and are designed with a focus on mourning the loss of a loved one. However, you can also plan a funeral that focuses on celebrating the person’s life. The funeral can still be somewhat formal and solemn, but the atmosphere is quite different when the focus is on celebration, not mourning.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Candles
• Microphone system
• Refreshments
• Music
• Decorations
• Guestbook

1. Decide when the funeral will be held. If the body will be there and you’re working with a funeral home, it should usually be held within a week of the death, in the afternoon and on a weekday.

2. Determine a location and venue. Generally, this is the deceased’s home town or city, at a local church that can hold the most people.

3. Pick someone to lead the service. Usually this is a pastor, reverend, priest or other clergyman. For a celebratory service, it’s recommended to choose someone the deceased knew and loved, whether or not it’s a pastor.

4. Spread the word of the funeral with phone calls, emails and public-service announcements.

5. Make particular mention of the fact that it’s a “celebratory” service and that black attire is not expected.

6. Get friends and family members involved in the service to personalize it. You’ll need speakers and readers (for the obituary, eulogy, tributes, poems and scripture readings), singers, musicians, guestbook attendants and candle lighters.

7. Plan exactly what you would like to be included in the service, as well as the order from beginning to end.

8. Make sure the focus of the funeral is on the person’s life.

9. Include some happy memories, even some funny anecdotes.

10. Plan the music, readings, flowers, decorations, photographs and other displays.

11. Put someone in charge of the refreshments (snacks, desserts, beverages) for the reception following the burial.

12. Hold an informal reception after the burial with some upbeat music and an open-mic session where loved ones can share memories of the deceased.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear bright colors, rather than black, to the funeral.
• Have lots of photographs, displays, bright flowers and fun decorations to showcase the deceased’s life.
• Consider having some happy and upbeat music playing in the background (particularly music loved by the deceased) before and after the service, and during the reception.
• Be sure to include any wishes of the deceased expressed before their death in the service and reception.