In recent years, more and more families have chosen to stray away from the traditional practices of saying goodbye to their loved ones, seeking alternatives to funerals, burials, and other methods. This especially holds true to those whose loved ones have been cremated. A choice gaining recent popularity for many families is a celebration of life ceremony. This celebration allows for a more intimate and personalized memorial to honor the loved one who has passed. Here, the team at Evans Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services outlines why a Life Celebration may be the right choice to honor your loved one, as well as ideas for a celebration of life practice. 

Before deciding whether or not a Life Celebration is suitable for your loved one, there are a few things you should consider. Are you or your loved one a member of a religious group that has particular memorial practices? How much money are you willing or planning to spend? Did your loved one want to be celebrated or honored uniquely? After assessing all of these considerations, and you are still unsure if a Life Celebration is suitable for your loved one, consider the following reasons that many choose a Life Celebration as their way to honor those who have passed. 

Arguably the most significant benefit of a Life Celebration is that it can be completely personalized, allowing for ease and flexibility for the loved ones planning the service. Celebrations of life are also a very flexible financial option, as you can choose to spend as little or as much as you wish. Additionally, Life Celebration practices do not have to be time-sensitive, unlike a funeral or burial service. They do not have to occur before the cremation or burial, granting time for loved ones to properly grieve and decompress after their loss. Many families even choose to wait until months after the loved one’s passing to hold the Life Celebration service, with some choosing to celebrate on birthdays or anniversaries. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic, being able to wait and honor your loved one with a Life Celebration and include all of your family and friends is hugely beneficial. 

Even though a Life Celebration can be completely personalized, there are some common ideas to include in your Life Celebration service. These ideas can also be expanded upon or incorporated creatively into any way you wish to honor your loved one. Dinner parties are a great way to celebrate the life of a loved one, especially if they had a passion for cooking or even had a favorite restaurant to go to. If your loved one had a strong love for music or was a musical, consider hosting a small tribute concert or playing their favorite song or artist during the celebration. Ash spreading is a popular way to celebrate the life of a loved one who was cremated. If they had a specific location where they wished for their ashes to be distributed, consider gathering a group of friends and family to visit that site and partake in the event together. To celebrate the life of your loved one, gather friends and family together to write down memories to always remember.

The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to planning a Life Celebration, and the team at Evans Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services is here to help you plan the right way for you and your family to honor your loved one. Celebrations of life can serve as the perfect alternative for those who wish to make their celebration creative and personal while not being tied down by finances or strict funeral guidelines. To learn more about how to make the celebration of your loved one’s life memorable, contact a member of our team today.