Whether or not we like to think about it, there comes a time where you have to say goodbye to someone you love. Grief can be an overwhelming, complicated, and difficult, especially if it’s your first time experiencing it.
But maybe your loved ones don’t want you to be sad. We know that’s easier said than done, but a great way to honor the deceased is to celebrate their lives instead. In fact, this is popularly done today, with many people opting for this instead of funerals.
Does this interest you? Then read on for 6 celebration of life ideas to help honor your loved one.
1. Time Capsule
There’s no doubt about it: memories are important, especially when they involve someone who’s passed away. Everything you can gather and remember about them becomes instant gold, so it should be a task high on your list to do.
By creating a time capsule with your friends and family, you can turn a somber affair into a lighter and happier one. Have everyone bring things like letters, pictures, and other keepsakes of your loved one so they can go into the time capsule.
But don’t just have everyone file in, put the items in, and then leave.
Instead, make it a celebration of your loved one’s life! Have each person go around and take about what they brought. This might bring up some long-forgotten memories, or even ones you didn’t know about!
This time capsule can then be put somewhere where everyone can easily access it. For example, you can all gather on special days like the funeral anniversary, Christmas, or your loved one’s birthday and then go through all the fond memories together.
2. Have a Potluck
Was your departed loved one someone who enjoyed food? Then why not honor that passion by throwing a potluck?
A potluck is a good idea when you’re in the process of grieving for several reasons.
First of all, you can host a get-together without worrying about all the aspects. Also, it allows you to spend some quality time with others who are also in mourning. In addition, there’s just something about food that’s comforting for any person.
So a potluck just might be the perfect celebration of life for the one you love. The gathering can be as small and intimate or as big and rowdy as you want it to be. You can also ask everyone to make a dish that the deceased loved or to bring their best dish.
There are so many things you can do to make a potluck a unique celebration of life. So use that opportunity to really honor your loved one.
3. Fireworks
This can be a fun way to celebrate someone who has passed, especially if they’ve always been exciting and explosive in personality!
There are a few companies that can put some of your loved one’s cremated remains into fireworks so you can use them for a spectacular display. This is an easy celebration of life idea to incorporate with others on this list, so don’t be afraid to mix and match if you want.
But sometimes, you’re grieving so much that you just can’t deal with receiving your loved one’s remains, and that’s ok. What happens in that case is the funeral home will either scatter or bury the remains. Whatever they do, they’ll be able to provide you with a detailed record of what they’ve done, should you want to know.
4. Scatter Ashes
If you’re wondering what to do with remains, spreading ashes is always a fantastic idea. This can also be a solo activity, so if you’re looking for a celebration of life idea to do on your own, this can be perfect.
Maybe there was a favorite park your loved one liked to go to. Or maybe there was a lake they’d always wanted to visit, but never got the chance to. Or even yet, maybe they had traveling on their bucket list!
Whatever it is, you can choose to respect the one who’s passed away by scattering their ashes in meaningful places.
Do note that state laws on scattering ashes will differ. Also, if you’re involving bodies of water, federal law might override state law. So make sure you do some research while planning your celebration of life so you don’t inadvertently get in trouble.
5. Take a Road Trip
On the note of road trips, maybe you don’t want to make the celebration of life a solo thing. In that case, you should invite some of your closest friends to take a road trip with you.
Think of places that the deceased liked to visit, as well as places they would’ve liked to go. Embark on a journey to these places and make some memories with those of you who are still around. We’re sure your loved one would thoroughly enjoy this idea!
6. Throw a Party
Perhaps your loved one was the biggest party animal when they were alive. So why not party in style just like they loved to do?
Invite everyone to yours to have an exciting night. Order in lots of alcohol and junk food, put on some thumping music, and see where the night takes you. And in the downtime, when everyone’s taking a break in the backyard, maybe reminisce on some crazy times you’ve had with your loved one.
Of course, you should consider if this is appropriate first. If the one you loved died because of an overdose or drunk driving incident, then it might be in poor taste to throw a wild party.
Use These Celebration of Life Ideas as Inspiration
With these celebration of life ideas, we hope it’s given you a little bit of light when thinking about a dark time.
We know it’s never easy losing a loved one. But with the right celebration of life, the burden of grief can be eased slightly. Not only that, but it can help you bond more with your family and friends who are still around, which can make everyone appreciate one another all that much more.
For more helpful articles, make sure you check out our blog page.
