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How to Plan a
Celebration of Life
Honoring a friend or family member with a celebration of life is a profound expression of love. A celebration of life brings together those who held a loved one dear to share stories, remember and commemorate a legacy in a meaningful way.
If you wish to plan an event, we’re here to help. Dignity Memorial® planners are celebration of life experts. We plan more celebrations each year than any other provider, and we know just what to do to create a uniquely beautiful and heartfelt tribute with attention to detail like no other.
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What is a celebration of life?
A celebration of life tells a very special story. It’s a thoughtfully planned event that highlights a loved one’s unique personality, passions, gifts and accomplishments.
It may unfold as a lively party or a relaxed gathering. It can be big and bold, simple and sweet, or somewhere in between. Its heart lies in each intentionally selected element—from music and messages to unique design, food, memorialization and more.
With care and creativity, a celebration of life showcases the details that make a person unique and gives guests a time and place to come together and reflect.
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We are celebration of life planning experts.
When planning a celebration of life, your imagination is the only limit.
You may want to start by thinking about your loved one: what they enjoyed, what others enjoyed about them, what they were proud of, what they were best known for, how they liked to spend their time, where they liked to go. These details may inform where you hold the event, what foods you serve and what music you choose.
Before you even do that, however, you may want to reach out to a Dignity Memorial planner. We provide celebration of life planning from beginning to end. We can help your family choose a venue, pick a theme and decide on flowers. Then we arrange catering, decorate, and order keepsakes and programs.
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Your personalized experience is our standard of care.
We believe that every family deserves the opportunity to create a personalized experience that reflects the individual being honored. That’s why every family who entrusts us with their loved one’s service can expect an event that includes:
Meaningful music
Families are surprised to learn that we can play any songs they’d like or a different playlist for every aspect of the celebration.
cherished memories
A curated display of photographs and keepsakes invites family and friends to remember special moments and defining details.
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The staff was so comforting throughout the entire process and made beautiful unique touches that we did not expect, such as guitar pics throughout the front entrance because my brother was an amazing guitarist. They also allowed us to bring guitars that they put around rope next to his casket. Those little details really touched our hearts. The cards with the poem and pictures were beautifully done.
—NICK R.
A PERSONALIZED MESSAGE
We work with a celebrant, clergy member or officiant to craft a heartfelt message that reflects your loved one and uplifts guests.
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When can you hold a celebration of life?
That’s up to you.
Families tell us that they love that the timing for a celebration of life is flexible and needn’t depend on a loved one’s burial or cremation. Though many celebrations take place right before or right after these events, others take place days, weeks or even months afterward. Even families who choose very traditional funeral services may opt to hold more celebratory gatherings afterward.
When deciding when to hold a celebration of life, a family might consider factors like travel schedules, existing commitments, or significant cultural or community events that held meaning for their loved one. Whatever the decision, the date and time of a celebration can be planned to suit your family’s needs, and we’re available to plan a celebration shortly after a death or for any point in the future.
A celebration of life brings people together to honor your loved one.
With an emphasis on the good times, happy memories and joyous moments, a celebration of life brings friends and family together in an uplifting and supportive setting where conversation, laughter, hugs and tears are welcome. It serves a dual purpose: to honor a loved one and give guests a meaningful—and memorable—opportunity to share stories and comfort one another. A celebration of life is both a beautiful final tribute and a chance for healing.
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Our flexible funeral homes are perfect celebration of life venues.
A celebration of life can be held just about anywhere. Families choose sports venues, beaches, places of worship, community centers, even their own backyards. Many are also pleased to find that Dignity Memorial funeral homes have flexible event spaces that are perfect for celebrations.
Funeral homes are evolving to meet the needs of today’s families, and our updated venues are changing the way families think about funeral homes. Some locations include outdoor areas for celebrations or spaces easily reimagined to suit most any occasion. All of our locations are flexible and staffed with professionals who plan celebrations every day. They have the experience and resources needed to create memorials that leave indelible memories. When you plan with us, we help you define your vision and then handle every detail, from flowers and design to music, speakers and food and drinks. We can even ensure you have printed programs, keepsakes and thank-you cards that reflect the sentiment of the event.
Find a celebration of life expert near you.
Dignity Memorial planning professionals have the knowledge and expertise to take care of everything you need for a loved one’s service.
100% Service Guarantee
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Mom’s friends and family were amazed with how beautiful we honored Mom’s life. Special accommodations were made using their entire facility to make our guest feel welcome & comfortable i.e., sit down dinner, social seating for family reunions and for the little children.
—SUSAN W.
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Start planning a celebration of life
When you choose to plan a celebration with a Dignity Memorial provider, you get a service exactly how you want it.
We provide a level of care unmatched by any other. Working with an experienced planning professional is the best way to plan a celebration of life, and planning ahead is the best way to make your wishes known and save your family from the burdens of guessing what you want and figuring out how to pay for it.
If you still have questions about planning a celebration of life, we’d love to speak with you. Click the button below to get your free copy of Imagine: A Memorial Inspiration Guide and start thinking about how you’d like to be remembered.
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