Celebration of Life Event Planner

It’s also a good idea to consider your loved one’s cultural heritage. Your planner can help you honor their heritage by incorporating traditions into the ceremony.

Budget

The first step in planning a celebration of life is to determine your budget. This will help you decide where, when and how the event should take place. It also helps you plan what activities to include.

A memorial service typically includes speakers, so you will need to hire a speaker or a eulogy writer. Some families choose to ask a local religious leader to deliver prayers during the ceremony.

You should also include a tribute movie in your checklist. This can be a touching way to remember your loved one. You can also include themed activities such as karaoke or dancing. Another great activity is to invite guests to write a message on kites or lanterns and fly them in the sky. You can even display the messages on a memorial board for everyone to read.

Venue

The venue is one of the biggest decisions that needs to be made when planning a celebration of life event. It should be a location that holds meaning for the honoree and their family. This could be a favorite restaurant, a family cottage, or a community center. It is also common to host a celebration of life at a religious or cultural center, as this reflects the values of the honoree.

It is also a good idea to have a rough estimate of the number of people attending, as this will affect the venue options available. Some venues may be too small to accommodate a large crowd. For larger events, consider a banquet hall or function room. This type of space can be equipped with audio-visual equipment for multimedia presentations and slideshows.

Invitations

A celebration of life event planner is an invaluable partner in brainstorming ideas that highlight the honoree’s personality. They can create a unique, personalized invitation that conveys the tone of the event. They can also recommend trusted vendors based on the style of event and budget.

The invitation should include the name of the person being honored, the date and time, and a cherished photograph. It should also explain what a celebration of life is and set expectations for the event. It is important to request RSVPs by a certain date so that food, beverages, and printed programs are available. A planner can also suggest group activities for guests to participate in. They can be as simple as serving hors d’oeuvres or as complex as organizing a fireworks display.

Food

If the deceased had a favorite type of food or cuisine, this can be reflected at the celebration of life event. Depending on the budget, you can have this catered or have attendees bring a dish for a potluck style meal.

Food can help ease the transition for those who attend the event. Finger foods are often used for events like this, as they are easy to eat and facilitate mingling among guests. You can also serve desserts and family recipes to make the experience feel more personal. If your loved one was a book lover, you could even provide books for guests to take home with them. At Eternally Loved, we recommend you schedule a celebration of life at least a month if not longer after your loved one’s passing.

Activities

Many celebration of life events include a variety of activities to connect attendees and pay tribute to the deceased. These may be themed around hobbies or interests, such as gardening or music, or based on religious or cultural traditions.

Encourage guests to share their favorite memories of the person being honored. This can be done on an open mic or in a more structured program. Sharing stories can bring comfort to those in attendance and create a sense of connection.

Display a map or digital screen where attendees can pin locations associated with their loved one’s memories and adventures. You can also set up a jigsaw puzzle for attendees to work together on, fostering a sense of community and meaning.