40 of the Best Celebration of Life Ideas
A celebration of life is a time for friends and family to come together and honor the life of a cherished loved one. The most fitting celebration of life ideas takes inspiration from a person’s values, personality, and the people, places and activities they were passionate about. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind event.
Planning a celebration of life can be emotionally overwhelming, but it can also be very rewarding to know you’ve planned a memorial that speaks to a unique life. Your Dignity Memorial® planner knows just what to do to help family and friends experience an unforgettable celebration filled with music, memories and a heartfelt message that reflects your special person and uplifts guests.
How do we do it? We take the time to get to know your loved one and your family. We ask questions—and listen to your wishes—until we’re confident we can create a celebration worthy of your loved one’s life. We believe that every family deserves the opportunity to create a personalized experience that reflects the individual being honored.
Unique celebration of life ideas start here
We know the best celebrations of life are meaningful tributes brimming with details. We can help you get started thinking about a celebration with a little inspiration:
- Celebration of life ideas for mom
- Celebration of life ideas for dad
- Celebration of life ideas for sons
- Celebration of life ideas for daughters
- Celebration of life ideas for your wife, husband or partner
- Celebration of life ideas for a child
- Fun celebration of life ideas
- Religious celebration of life ideas
- Outdoor celebration of life ideas
Plan every detail
Let Imagine: A Memorial Inspiration Guide inspire your perfect service.
Celebration of life ideas for mom
To honor your beautiful mother, think about what mattered most to her.
1. Donate in her honor
If she was passionate about an organization, such as a local children’s charity, library or community group, honor her memory by collecting donations in her name.
2. Gift flower seeds or flowers
Stuff envelopes or small bags with the seeds of her favorite flowers or give flowers, like gorgeous blue forget-me-nots, to guests as favors.
3. Share her favorite recipe
If her baking was blue-ribbon quality, gift one of her favorite recipes to friends and family as a keepsake. Or bake one of her specialties yourself and share the treat with everyone at her celebration.
“Daniel’s experience in Event Planning contributed greatly in organizing Mom’s unique funeral service; ‘The Rejoining of Souls’. 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.
4. Read a poem or passage
The comforting words of a poem, verse or quote can add meaning to her celebration of life, especially if they come from her favorite poet, writer or singer. A personalized message delivered by a celebrant or member of the clergy is an element of every celebration of life planned by a Dignity Memorial provider.
5. Encourage acts of kindness
If she always went above and beyond for everyone else, ask her friends and family to pay that kindness forward. Hand out a list of simple suggestions, such as putting extra change in someone’s expired meter or giving a compliment to a stranger.
Celebration of life ideas for dad
He was always there when you needed him. Honor him with an authentic and loving ceremony.
1. Host a memorial sporting event
Set up an annual baseball game, golf tournament or bowling afternoon in his memory. You can also use the event to raise funds for a charity or organization that was close to his heart.
2. Play his favorite music
He seemed to know the lyrics to every song. Pick some of his top tunes for guests to enjoy, and let us know what they are. A personalized playlist is an element of every celebration of life planned by a Dignity Memorial provider.
3. Plan an annual family get-together
He loved having his people around. Plan an annual family luncheon or weekend away where you can relax, connect and share memories of your dad.
“Sandra, Bob and staff went above and beyond for our fathers service. When we walked in and realized the way the visitation room had been personalized for our father […] with his veterans jacket and medals on one side and a popcorn machine and hockey sticks on the other it brought a smile to all our hearts. […] The funeral was made easier thanks to them.”
—Jane D.
4. Write him a letter
Losing a parent can be hard to put into words. You might find comfort in writing Dad a letter, which you could read at his celebration.
5. Serve his favorite foods
Maybe he knew his way around the kitchen. Maybe he was the neighborhood grill master. Or maybe he simply loved Mom's banana pudding nearly as much as he loved Mom. Plan the menu around what he liked to eat.
Celebration of life ideas for sons
Honor the memory of a beloved son by planning a celebration of life that pays tribute to the beautiful person he was.
1. Set up a scholarship
Creating a memorial scholarship in his name will help his memory live on while changing the lives of future students.
2. Plant a garden—or a forest
If nature was his jam, a memorial garden is a beautiful way to honor his life. You can get guests in on the action by suggesting everyone plant a tree in his memory.
3. Choose his favorite place
Whether informal and casual or upscale and sophisticated, a celebration of life can happen anywhere. You may choose to host it at someplace your son loved, such as an art gallery, neighborhood pub, favorite steakhouse or local soccer field.
4. Make a scrapbook
Capture the happiest and most meaningful moments of your son’s life by creating a scrapbook. Leave blank pages and invite others to contribute their favorite photos, notes or mementos at the celebration.
Celebration of life ideas for daughters
Celebrate your special daughter’s life in a way that reflects her power, intellect and beauty.
1. Start a book club
Invite those who knew her to join a book club in her memory. Kick off the club with a book by her favorite author.
2. Wear her favorite color
For a beautiful and vibrant celebration of life, have guests wear shades of her most-loved hue. Decorate the event room with pops of the same color.
“Haley did an absolutely amazing job personalizing the experience to our daughter. We were absolutely touched by all of the little details of our daughter’s life which she incorporated into the visitation setting and the funeral service.”
—William P.
3. Choose a meaningful date
A celebration of life can be held at any time—it needn't be tied to a burial or cremation. Select a date that meant something to her, such as her birthday or the start of a new season.
4. Create a memory board
Put together a memory board with photos, quotes or items that held meaning to your daughter. Ask attendees to sign the board or add their special memories.
Celebration of life ideas for your wife, husband or partner
The joy you shared with your partner is irreplaceable. Plan a celebration that tells a love-of-life story.
1. Display their favorite flowers
Use themed or handcrafted vases for their favorite flowers. If he loved vino, place single stems in wine bottles. If she loved tea, float cut blossoms in dainty tea cups.
2. Include special keepsakes
A display of cherished belongings, such as jewelry, books, collectibles or crafts, helps guests feel close to the person being honored. This is something every family who chooses a Dignity Memorial provider has the chance to do.
“I brought in some of my wife’s amateur paintings for display. I thought that they would just be placed on a table but Katie created a masterpiece. She made it truly look like an art gallery and created postcards of each paintings for people to take home. Friends and family are still talking about it to this day.”
—Macri A.
3. Hire a musician or band
Whether your partner loved a living room concert or a grand stadium tour, live music brings a celebration to life in a very special way.
4. Release doves or butterflies
A release of snow-white doves or colorful butterflies makes for a stunning send-off. Doves symbolize peace, love and ascension to the heavens. Butterflies stand for freedom and new beginnings.
Celebration of life ideas for a child
You may find some solace in planning a special memorial that will honor your child’s unique personality.
1. Dedicate a park or cemetery bench
A bench at a child’s favorite playground or park is a healing gesture and a community asset. Cemetery benches are lasting memorials.
2. Involve your child’s friends
If appropriate, invite some of your child’s friends to participate in the celebration of life. Friends can light candles, read poems or share happy memories.
3. Select a theme that reflects a passion
Animals, Disney, superheroes, video games, television shows, sports teams, space—anything a child was passionate about—makes a good theme for a celebration of life.
4. Show their creative side
Collect your child’s artwork—such as hand-drawn pictures, coloring book pages or nursery school paint projects—and frame a few to display at their celebration of life. Choose your favorite piece to print on the program. Compile it all in a special scrapbook afterward.
Fun celebration of life ideas
By its very nature, a celebration of life is more lighthearted than a traditional funeral ceremony. You can give yourself permission to laugh and have fun.
1. Make a toast
Did your loved one enjoy a particular beverage, such as a favorite beer, type of wine or soda? Raise a glass in their name. You may even want to order custom pint glasses, drinking glasses or wine glasses etched with a favorite saying for guests to take home.
2. Get matching tattoos
It’s not for everyone, but a tattoo is a permanent reminder of someone you love. Siblings or a friend group may want to get matching ink—a symbol or a short phrase maybe—in memoriam.
3. Host an animal adoption
A special way to remember an animal lover is to partner with a local shelter to host an adoption day in your loved one’s name.
4. Dance it out
Hire a DJ or even a band and throw a disco or a barn dance. Dancing is a great way to release feelings of grief and an appropriate way to say goodbye to the life of the party. Need a dancefloor? We'll be sure you have one.
Religious celebration of life ideas
Many families appreciate more traditional, faith-based approaches to celebrating a loved one. You can include prayers or other religious elements in a celebration of life.
1. Say a prayer
Having guests say a special prayer or traditional blessing together adds a feeling of community. You can print the prayer on the program ahead of time, so everyone has the words.
2. Sing or chant
Similar to saying a prayer as a group, singing or chanting together as a group creates a feeling of solidarity and support.
3. Light candles or burn incense
Some religious groups light candles to symbolize the beauty and brevity of life. Others burn incense in honor of the dead; to signify prayers rising to heaven; or to offer spiritual guidance to the deceased.
4. Make a donation
If your loved one was a longstanding member of their church, temple, mosque or religious group, encourage donations in their honor to a faith-based charity.
Outdoor celebration of life ideas
Outdoor celebrations are more popular than ever. Think: beach, backyard, park, forest, restaurant patio, sports venue or other outside spot. Funeral homes and cemeteries, too, often have space for outdoor celebrations.
1. Release paper boats or lanterns
If you host the celebration near a pond, river, lake or ocean, you might have guests write messages on paper boats and set them afloat. Memorial lanterns can also be released into a body of water—just be sure to choose an environmentally friendly product.
2. Head out on the water
Whether you want to charter a boat or take out kayaks, spending quality time on the water in a way they loved is a great way to honor them. For loved ones who've been cremated, we can arrange a scattering at sea.
3. Take a hike
A walk in the woods does wonders for a soul. You might want to scatter a loved one's ashes along a certain path, plant a tree to nourish the earth for years to come or leave behind handfuls of wildflower seeds as you go.
4. Plan a picnic
A picnic or potluck alfresco may be the only thing you need to celebrate someone who appreciated the simple pleasures.
Imagine funeral planning differently
A funeral or memorial service should be a one-of-a-kind celebration. Everyone has their own unique story. How do you want to tell yours? Imagine is a book full of ideas for creating a beautiful and unforgettable remembrance for yourself or a loved one. Download Imagine to begin planning an unforgettable tribute today.