Gill Brothers Funeral Service & Cremation


Celebrations of Life

Celebrations of Life

Another Beautiful Way to Honor Our Loved Ones

Many families today want a service which celebrates the life of their loved one. We introduce them to the concept of a celebration of life event, and provide support in designing an event that is as unique as the life of their loved one.  

We always enjoy working together with families in planning a celebration of life for their loved one. While it can be a challenge to put together an event that both pays tribute to and celebrates the life and spirit of, a complex individual; it's also one of the most rewarding things any one of us can do for someone we've loved and lost.
Sarah York, opens her beautifully-crafted book, Remembering Well, with the very personal story about how her family chose to pay tribute to her mother. "My mother died in April 1983. . . she didn't want a funeral. 'Get together and have a party,' she had said when the topic was allowed to come up." However, she was quick to tell readers that the survivors did not honor the request. "We needed the ritual. We needed to say good-bye, but we also needed a ritual that would honor her spirit and would be faithful to her values and beliefs."

When Ms. York acknowledged the position of her family; that they needed not a party but a ritual; she taught us all something important: the celebration of life events we plan with families should be shaped as much by their own emotional and spiritual needs, as their desire to celebrate the life lived.

How to Plan a Celebration of Life?


A life celebration starts with an invitation. It could be a special day or simply just any day. The guest list will depend on the family and the facilities that the family decides. 


The service can be at a funeral home like ours, a church, a temple, a restaurant, or any other venue with the appliances to perform a grand celebration of life. 


For us, it's all about the community and the details. After preparing the invitation, the hosts can request guest details to add to the celebration. It could be songs, food, photos, videos, or even funny or meaningful stories about the person they are honoring.

When is The Perfect Time to Have a Celebration of Life?


You can arrange a celebration of life service anytime. It could be right after the funeral services if you feel it’s appropriate for your family. Sometimes it can be helpful with our healing journey and grieving process. However, you can also prepare a celebration of life for your loved one’s anniversary, birthday, or any special occasion. 


While social expectations do not burden celebrations of life—they can be pretty much anything you want them to be—it's important to realize that the event you're planning should meet the emotional needs of the guests.


So, think about exactly who will be there and what they're likely to want or need. Then, bring in the deceased's unique lifestyle and personality characteristics; perhaps add live music or refreshments, and you've got the beginnings of a remarkable celebration of life. Celebrations of life are intended to lift everyone's spirits by focusing on positive memories.

Creative Celebration of Life Ideas

01 The Foodie

If your loved one enjoyed tasting new recipes, you may want to consider organizing a dinner party that serves their favourite foods. The dinner can be at someone’s home or at the deceased’s favourite restaurant. Attendee's can feel connected to the deceased through the food that they loved, as well as being together to share stories and memories. 

02 The Sports Fan

If your loved one was a devoted sports fan of a particular team or avidly played a sport themselves, consider focusing the celebration of life around that team or sport. An idea for this could be organizing a golf or baseball tournament in honour of your loved one, or even attending a game of their favourite team.

03 The Musician

Was your loved one a musician or a dedicated fan of a singer/ band? If so, you may want to consider showcasing that particular form of music for their celebration of life. You could consider hosting a small tribute concert in memory of the deceased, where the genre of music they loved can be played.

 

Still Unsure? Talk to Our Funeral Directors in MN

We can help you prepare a meaningful celebration or guide you with our best commemorative suggestions. Please click below to contact our Funeral Directors and caring staff in our locations. We are here to serve! 

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Sources: 
Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life & Mourning Death, Sara York
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