Funeral vs. Celebration of Life

Funeral vs Celebration of Life

A funeral vs celebration of life have much in common, however, they often appear very different. Each is a ceremony; a gathering of people who share a common loss. It's just that one is more rooted in tradition, while the other is the result of recent changes in social values. But both serve to do three things:
  1. Help the bereaved family, and their community, publicly acknowledge the death of one of their own
  2. Support the grieving family by surrounding them with caring friends, co-workers, and neighbors
  3. Move the deceased from one social status to another
Yet they achieve those things in very different ways. First, let's take a closer look at what most of us commonly see as very traditional funerals.

The Funeral

It's not surprising funerals have been around for a very long time. Composed of three activities, the visitation, the funeral service, and the committal service, performed at the graveside; this funeral is the one we'd easily recognize from contemporary literature and film.

The Visitation

Held prior to the funeral, often the night before but sometimes on the same day, the visitation (or viewing) is a time when people come to support the family and, more importantly, pay their respects to the deceased. This often involves stepping up to the casket to view the body; either in the company of a member of the surviving family or on your own.

The Funeral Service

Commonly held in the funeral home or church, the traditional funeral service is led by an officiant of one kind or another; most commonly a pastor or the funeral director. This individual follows a very predictable funeral order of service which includes the singing of hymns; and invocations, Bible recitations, Scripture readings, and prayers led by the officiant.

The Committal Service

This takes place at the cemetery, after a slow and respectful automobile procession from the place where the funeral was held. The committal service ends when the casketed remains are lowered into the ground, and final prayers are said.
If you'd like to know more about the history of funerals in the United States, you may like to visit the website of the National Museum of Funeral History. But for now, it's enough to know that a funeral service traditionally has these three distinct components. Now let's look at a celebration of life service.

Celebrations of Life


Author Barbara Kingsolver, in her book The Poisonwood Bible, wrote, "To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals know." This reflection is at the heart of a celebration of life. While a funeral, as we've described above, has more to do with the orderly and often spiritually-defined, a celebration of life is more concerned with telling the story of the deceased. Celebrations of life are just that: a time people come together more to celebrate the unique personality and achievements of the deceased than to merely witness or mark the change in their social status.

Celebrations of life are similar to memorial services, as both are considered a hybrid events. They are combining the flexibility of a memorial service with many of the activities of a traditional funeral order-of-service.

There's more room for creativity in a celebration of life than a funeral. Since celebrations of life are commonly held after the individual's physical remains have been cared for through burial or cremation, much more time is available to plan the event. And without a doubt, this allows you to make better decisions about how you'd like to celebrate the life of someone you dearly loved.

Celebration of Life Information

Many families today want a service that celebrates the life of their loved one, rather than mourns. In this case, we introduce them to the concept of a celebration of life and support them in designing a celebration of life service that is as unique as the life of their loved one.

We always enjoy working with families in planning a celebration of life for their loved one. While it can be challenging to put together an event that pays tribute to and celebrates the life of a complex individual, it's also one of the most rewarding things we can do for someone we've loved and lost.
Sarah York opens her beautifully-crafted book, Remembering Well, with a personal story about how her family chose to pay tribute to her mother. "My mother died in April 1983... She didn't want a funeral. 'Get together and have a party,' she had said when the topic was allowed to come up." However, she quickly told readers that the survivors did not honor the request. "We needed the ritual. We needed to say goodbye, but we also needed a ritual to honor her spirit and be faithful to her values and beliefs."

When Ms. York acknowledges her family's position—that they needed not a party but a ritual—she teaches us all something crucial. The celebration of life events we plan with families should be shaped by their own emotional and spiritual needs and their desire to celebrate the life lived.
While celebrations of life are not burdened by social expectations—they can be pretty much anything you want them to be—it's important to realize that the event you're planning should meet the emotional needs of the guests. So, think about exactly who will be there, and what they're likely to want or need. Then, bring in those unique lifestyle and personality characteristics of the deceased; perhaps add live music or refreshments, and you've got the beginnings of a remarkable celebration of life.

Celebration of Life Ideas

01 The Foodie

Suppose your loved one enjoyed tasting or trying new recipes. In that case, you might consider organizing a dinner party serving their favorite foods. The dinner party can be at someone’s home or the deceased’s favorite restaurant. Family and friends can feel connected to the deceased through the food they loved and being together to share stories and memories. 

02 The Musician

Was your loved one a musician or a dedicated fan of a singer/ band? If so, consider showcasing that particular form of music for their celebration of life. You could consider hosting a small tribute concert in memory of the deceased, where the genre of music they loved can be played.

03 The Gardener

If your loved one was an avid gardener, you could consider hosting a garden party with their loved ones present. You can plant something in memory of the deceased and perhaps even use their garden tools to do so, making it even more personal.

Turn to Us for Celebration of Life Ideas

We've got years of experience listening, brainstorming, and advising families how they can best pay tribute to a beloved family member. That means we're the perfect people to help you decide between a funeral vs celebration of  life. We'll explore your funeral service options with you in detail, taking all the time you need.

In the book Chocolat, by Joanne Harris, you'll find this fundamental truth: “Life is what you celebrate. All of it. Even its end.”  As funeral professionals we help families express reverence for life. Let us do that for your family. Call our funeral home to speak with a member of our staff.
Sources: 
  1. Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life & Mourning Death, Sara York
  2. Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible 
  3. Joanne Harris, Chocolat
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