Saying goodbye to a loved one is a painful and emotionally overwhelming process and it’s something we hope to avoid for as long as possible. When the time does come, it’s important that you celebrate the life of your loved one, and while, yes, you will be grieving, you should also reflect on the fun memories you have together and their achievements in life. Try to remain positive and remember the good times, planning a funeral doesn’t have to be an upsetting process, it can serve as a lovely reminder of your loved one. Here are some top tips for planning a funeral that celebrates the life of those who have passed…
Speak to a Funeral Director
The first step in planning a funeral is speaking to an expert who can discuss the different options and packages that are available to you. Funeral Directors are able to offer a helping hand in planning your celebration of life and it’s best if you do a little research around your selected funeral director first. Check out any reviews online and confirm pricing and services available before committing, as you may find that someone else is, in fact, more suited to your needs.
Think About a Eulogy
If you’ve decided to write a eulogy, you’ll soon discover this is not an easy task. Some find public speaking incredibly daunting, not to mention trying to give a speech when under immense emotional strain. Think about the style of eulogy you want to give, don’t be afraid to include humour, it’s all about celebrating life and enjoying those past memories. Your eulogy doesn’t have to be long either, if you’d rather keep it short and sweet that’s absolutely fine. Include your favourite memories, talk about the good times and share your favourite stories.
Make a Playlist
Compile a playlist of your loved one’s favourite songs to enjoy during and after the funeral. You may decide to choose only songs you know they loved as opposed to the typical sad funeral songs. These will remind you of fun times and it keeps spirits high and smiles on faces. It’s an incredibly emotional day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a giggle and reminisce on old times. Music is powerful, don’t be afraid to cry and don’t be afraid to laugh.
Create a Video Montage
If you have enough video footage, you could think about putting together a video montage of happy memories. This is a beautiful way to remember and celebrate the life of your loved one, and guests will enjoy reliving those moments with you. Consider extra special touches such as the backing music you will use, and perhaps even consult a professional if you want to create a video you can cherish forever.
Decide on a Venue
You don’t necessarily have to go down the traditional route of having a church or funeral home as your venue. Your ceremony can take place wherever you wish, and perhaps you could even consider somewhere with special importance to your loved one? Venues such as golf clubs are often popular choices, choose somewhere which represents your loved one well and serves as a memory in itself. You may want to also think about giving a small memento/keepsake to guests as a physical way to honor their memory.
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