Celebration of life gatherings and funerals usually have the same principles, but the goal is to replace the somber, stilted atmosphere of a funeral with a more lighthearted and personal type of memorial. These reflective events focus on keeping the happy memories of your loved one alive. Here are the best celebration of life ideas to ensure that their memory is well-kept for years to come.
55 Celebration of Life Ideas
1. Revisit their favorite places
Whether it’s Paris, France, or the bar around the block, there is likely a certain place that will always remind you of your loved one. Have people gather at this spot for one last send-off.
2. Consider going on the water
If your loved one was a big fan of kayaking, canoeing, or other things aquatic, consider a “paddle out” celebration of life for family and friends.
3. Plan a balloon release
Hand out some sharpies and have friends and family members write a favorite memory or the deceased’s name. Blow them up with helium and then lift them up to the heavens.
4. Record the celebration
You may think a celebration of life is not something you’d want to look back on. However, some may say that looking back on the gathering brings comfort and closure. Consider hiring a videographer or asking a family friend to record the time together.
5. Think about an annual retreat tribute
If your loved one had a favorite getaway, consider organizing an annual retreat tribute on the anniversary of their death.
6. Encourage guests to wear your loved one’s favorite colors
Black and grey clothing can create a dull and drab feeling to a celebration of life. To perk things up, politely ask guests if they can wear an article of clothing in the deceased’s favorite color in honor of their memory.
7. Create kites
Have guests write memories or have the little ones decorate kites and fly them on the next sunny, blustery day in honor of your loved one.
8. Make a travel slideshow
Was your loved one an avid traveler? Compile photos and videos of their travels into a slideshow to play for family and friends.
9. Put together a custom playlist
For a special touch, compile a playlist of your loved one’s favorite songs and let it play on in the background of the celebration of life gathering.
10. Create a tribute movie
String together clips of home movies featuring your loved one throughout the years to show to guests. For an added touch, put in their favorite music or a nostalgic song to honor them.
11. Plant a memorial garden
Plant a memorial garden of your loved one’s favorite fauna or flora in a family member’s backyard as an alternative to a traditional funeral.
12. Release boats into a river
Little ones can create and decorate paper boats in honor of the deceased. Before releasing the boats into a river, family and friends can share stories about their loved one or say a prayer.
13. Turn their ashes into fireworks
If your loved one had a big personality, they may appreciate going out in dramatic style. Heavenly Stars Fireworks takes a portion of the deceased’s ashes and incorporates it into a one-of-a-kind dazzling display.
14. Commit an act of kindness
If your loved one was constantly buying other people coffee or letting people go in front of them in line, encourage guests to commit one random act of kindness before the celebration is over.
15. Create your own DIY floral arrangements
For a unique celebration of life idea, consider creating your own floral arrangement in your loved one’s name. Stuck on where to start? Watch a YouTube video like this one to get started!
16. Share a Meme-orial
Easily create a unique social media post aka a Meme-orial for a loved one who has passed away to share on their birthday, a special holiday, the anniversary of their death, or when you are simply missing them.
17. Have guests sign a personalized memorial book
Create a personalized memorial scrapbook full of photos, paper clippings, and other fond memories of your loved one. Have guests sign it as they come in.
18. Plant a tree
Gather family and friends to plant a tree in your loved one’s favorite place in honor of their legacy.
19. Donate some of your loved one’s clothing
Host a clothing drive at the celebration of life for guests to take a piece of the deceased’s personal collection to cherish forever.
20. Create a recipe book
Was your loved one quite the chef? Compile some of their favorite recipes into a book and pass out copies to friends and family.
21. Light a sky lantern
This celebration of life idea is a beautiful and eco-friendly way to honor your loved one while lighting up the night sky. Guests can write personalized messages or wishes on the lantern before releasing it.
22. Make a quote board
Ask family and friends to share a quote that reminds them of your loved one. The quotes can be from their favorite book or poem or something that they made up entirely. Fill a whiteboard, chalkboard, fabric, or corkboard with the quotes you receive!
23. Create a memorial stone jar
Have guests write a special memory or something that they loved about your loved one on a rock when they enter the celebration of life and place it in a jar. You can then take them home and read them with your family or scatter them in places that were meaningful to the deceased!
24. Construct a memory capsule
Create a memory capsule by placing things that remind you and your guests of your loved one in an air-tight container. Include items like photographs, cards, books, and other special mementos. Bury the memory capsule in a special place with a plan to dig it up in the future!
25. Decorate a memorial tree
Have family and friends come together to decorate a tree in your backyard to create a memorial tree in honor of your loved one. You can fill mason jars halfway with water and float their favorite flower or a candle in them. Then attach a wire handle to the top of the mason jar and hang them in the tree!
26. Read your loved one’s favorite book
If your loved one was a big bibliophile, consider reading an excerpt or two from their favorite book at the service.
27. Host a movie marathon
Did your loved one have a list of favorite movies or shows? Gather family and friends at someone’s house and throw a movie marathon of the deceased’s favorite flicks.
28. Commission a memorial plaque
If your loved one was fond of taking strolls in their neighborhood park, consider commissioning a memorial plaque for them on a bench. Have family and friends gather for the reveal!
29. Play their favorite game
If your loved one was a sports lover, organize family and friends to play their favorite backyard game. You can write the deceased’s name on a ball, puck, racket, or jersey, in their honor.
30. Toast with their favorite drink
Before the speeches at your loved one’s celebration of life, pass out their favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink so family and friends can toast to their name.
31. Give guests “forget me not” seeds
As a favor, hand out a small bag of “forget me not” seeds to your guests to plant in honor of your loved one.
32. Write letters to your loved one
Have family and friends write a letter or poem to your loved one. Tell them to express what your loved one meant to them, the difference they made in their lives, and how much your celebrants miss them. Have guests write a date on the envelope for opening and reading the letter or poem, and keep the letter in a safe place.
33. Make a memorial candle
Decorate a memorial candle for your loved one and light it during the service.
34. Have a picnic
If your loved one was more of an outdoorsy person, consider having a giant picnic in the park with family and friends to celebrate their legacy.
35. Create a memory chain
Consider having guests help you with this unique celebration of life idea! Have them write their favorite memories, tender moments, and their feelings of loss, on long, narrow strips of construction paper. Then make inter-linking loops out of the strips to make a chain you can use to frame a doorway or hang over a fireplace.
36. Make a collage to commemorate your loved one
Use photographs of the deceased, as well as places, objects, and people that were significant to their life. Overlay the photographs with quotes that remind you of your loved one and place it in a central location for guests to see.
37. Collect kids’ artwork
If your loved one was a parent or grandparent, collect all the artwork that their children or grandchildren in the family gave them over the years. Display it for guests to see and then transform the collection into a book to pass out to close family members.
38. Create a pendant from polymer clay
Shape a pendant with your loved one in mind and etch their name into it. Once it’s baked, hang it on a special chain. This simple craft project can be used to make favors for guests at a celebration of life service.
39. Have a treasure hunt
Hide little mementos that were owned by a loved one who has passed away for an interactive treasure hunt for kids of all ages. You can also hide scrolls tied with a pretty ribbon with quotes or messages from the loved one that can be read once it’s unrolled. The kids will appreciate being involved in this unique celebration of life idea!
40. Throw a potluck
Ask friends and family to choose recipes that the deceased enjoyed making and share with others. Before it is served, they can say a few words about why they made it in their loved one’s honor.
41. Create a food bar of your loved one’s favorite comfort foods
Whether your loved one had a weakness for cupcakes or brownies, a comfort food bar can go a long way! Serve all sorts of variations of the deceased’s food favorites and tell guests to eat to their fill.
42. Have a book drive
Have guests go through your loved one’s library to take home a unique and precious favor with this celebration of life idea.
43. Make teddy bears out of old clothing
This celebration of life idea is not only eco-friendly and encourages recycling, it will help keep your loved one close. Create a teddy bear out of your loved one’s old shirts and pass them out to guests for them to snuggle during the service.
44. Hire live music
Go online to hire a band or DJ to fill the atmosphere with your loved one’s favorite tunes to have celebrants jam all night long.
45. Make a DIY photo table runner
Compile favorite photos of your loved one to use in the table setting for a celebration of life reception. Guests will appreciate seeing all of the precious memories.
46. Host a tattoo party
Tattoos are a popular way to memorialize someone nowadays. For those who are interested, have a tattoo party where each guest designs a tattoo that reminds them of their loved one. Then, visit the tattoo parlor together!
47. Volunteer at their favorite charity
Pick a day for family and friends to get together at the deceased’s favorite charity to give back in honor of them.
48. Start a book club
Start a book club with family and friends in your loved one’s honor and meet up once a month. Read their favorite genres, authors, or inspirational books.
49. Have a group yoga session
Move the grief through your body by hosting a quiet get-together filled with yoga and gentle, passive movement.
50. Meditate together
Host a small group of family and friends of the loved one and practice mindful meditation together. Sit in a quiet place and contemplate how lucky you were to have known your loved one and focus on your breathing.
51. Throw a good old-fashioned dance party
Sometimes, you just got to dance it out! If the one you’re honoring was the life of the party, why not give them the best send-off you can muster. Hire a DJ to set up in your backyard or rent the club that was their favorite, turn up the volume, add glow sticks, and let the music play on!
52. Host a sunset gathering
If there is a killer spot where you can watch a beautiful sunset, gather folks an hour or so beforehand to share a picnic with stories and songs that remind you of your loved one. Then, finish with a candle lighting ceremony or a moment of silence.
53. Name a star after your loved one
For an out-of-this-world celebration of life idea, head to the International Star Registry and name a star after your loved one. Then, grab a telescope and some family and friends for nighttime viewing.
54. Throw a gift wrapping party
Buy and donate gifts in your loved one’s name on their birthday or during the holidays. Ask some family and friends for them to come over and help you wrap before the festivities begin.
55. Commission a naming of a rose
Bring together friends and family to view the small sample of roses available for naming. Once you vote on a winner and purchase the name, the rose is officially registered and friends and family can also purchase cuttings to plant. Check out…- Sympathy Quotes - What to Say to Someone Who Has Lost a Parent - Grief Quotes
