Sometimes referred to as a Living Funeral, Living Memorial, Living Tribute, Living Wake, Celebrating Life Friendship Service, Healing Service
A Life Celebration is a non-death ceremonial farewell. The honouree is present and living to hear the eulogies, praises and farewells, they may even have an active roll. A Life Celebration is for people who may be terminally ill or suffer from a life-limiting illness, but it may be held for anyone wishing such a celebration during their life. A Life Celebration is a reflection of how you have lived your life and how you want people to remember your story.
When faced with terminal illness or a life limiting illness, each person has a different place in their journey and a different goal they and their family are looking to achieve. Planning A Life Celebration provides an opportunity to manage your legacy, decide what is important to you, share your passions and express your personality. The celebration can be an intimate gathering of family, friends and colleagues or a large public gathering. It can be formal or informal – most important is a special time carved out for you to express love, gratitude and those things that we should’ve, could’ve, would’ve done before faced with illness.
A Life Celebration is also an opportunity for family and friends to walk with someone in death or before their dignity may be challenged. Often friends and family feel helpless when they share the knowledge someone they love will be leaving them physically or mentally, A Life Celebration can be very therapeutic for loved ones, who have the opportunity to show their love for the guest of honour. For the honouree it is an opportunity to connect with the communities you have shared your life with, and an opportunity for others to learn about the whole life of a person. For family and friends A Life Celebration can provide a meaningful experience for all to share memories, songs, poems, anecdotes, lifetime achievement awards, express thanks, pay tributes, to say I love you, I’ll remember you, or goodbye to someone special.
A Life Celebration is not merely a time to mourn but a time for celebration, joy and a sharing of emotion. There may be tears, but gratitude, fun and laughter can flow freely and be shared with the person whose time is short. The focus of A Life Celebration is not on how they/you will be missed but what you have shared and contributed to the lives of others. Celebrating life can also alleviate the stress of loved ones eliminating the need to organize an after-death event. Guests may be asked to bring a story or photo/memento so everyone focuses on great memories and times shared. A Life Celebration should be a joyous occasion where family and friends can come together to honour the person whose life is being celebrated.
Deciding when to plan A Life Celebration can be a difficult decision. It is important to determine just when the time is right for you and those close to you; it is important to have an event when you or the honouree feels up to attending, both physically and psychologically.
A Life Celebration can be one of the grandest celebrations where everything reflects your or the honouree’s final wishes, it can be anything you want! In creating a Life Celebration, we meet with you to ask a series of questions that will assist us in planning the perfect Life Celebration. We hope to help you create a unique and personal event that can help family and friends say goodbye and honour you. We are committed to do whatever we can to create a celebration that is meaningful and personalized.
Celebration of Life by Michelle Skolnick & Associates can provide you with an uncomplicated way to create, implement and manage all of the logistics and details.
It is once in a lifetime that you have to celebrate and honour your life or the life of someone you love.
Contact Celebrations of Life by Michelle Skolnick & Associates today to plan A Life Celebration.