Celebration of Life vs Funeral
It’s interesting; funerals and celebrations of life have much in common, yet they often appear quite different in execution. Each is a ceremony; a gathering of people who share a common loss. It’s just that one is more rooted in tradition, while the other is the result of recent changes in social values. In either case, both serve to do the same three things.
- Help the bereaved family, and their community, publicly acknowledge the death of one of their own.
- Support the grieving family by surrounding them with caring friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
- Celebrate a life full of memories and achievements.
A celebration of life differs from a funeral in that it’s often a more casual and less structured service. Many families consider a celebration of life to be more of a relaxed and party-like atmosphere with guests attending to celebrate a life well lived. A celebration of life may or may not include elements from a traditional funeral service, although the choice is left up to the family.
Memorial Service vs Celebration of Life
In many ways, a memorial service is similar to a celebration of life. We like to consider a memorial service as a hybrid between a funeral and celebration of life. Much like a celebration of life, memorial services are often less formal than a traditional funeral service and both occur after the remains have been cared for.
Still Not Sure – Talk to Us
We've got years of experience listening, brainstorming, and advising families how they can best pay tribute to a beloved family member. That means we're the perfect people to help you decide between a funeral service, memorial service, or celebration of life. We'll explore your funeral service options with you in detail, taking all the time you need.