I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
– An excerpt from Helen Lowrie Marshall’s poem, Afterglow.
In this poem about saying one’s final goodbyes, the poet asks, why can’t departures be celebrated? Why should we not celebrate our farewells? Considering that, one had lived their life to the fullest? Why should one leave everyone in grief?
The poet proposes that she wants to be sent off with celebrations. The primary idea which the poem is premised on is that happy endings exist. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about the individual, and how they perceived life.
Indeed, to weep over the departure of a loved one is only a natural phenomenon, but a departing person deserves a warm goodbye. I have prepared a list of the best celebration of life ideas to honor the life of your loved ones.
Celebration of life ideas
- Plant a tree in their name
- Lantern release
- Paddle Out ceremony
- Share meaningful memories of your loved one
- A musical celebration of life
- Memory table
- Play a slideshow
- Register a star in their name
- Donate in the deceased name
- Fireworks
- Quote board
- Start a book club
- Name a rose after them
- Release doves in their name
- Distribute food and drinks
- Accomplish something they always wanted to
- Play their favorite sport
- Paint a portrait of them
- Visit their favorite place
- Kite flying
- Release boats in a river
- Get a Tattoo in their memory
- Do something they always wanted to
1. Plant a tree in their name
What better way to celebrate the life of a loved one other than planting a tree in their remembrance. Memorial trees are a great idea for a range of reasons.
A tree is a growing, living gift that will grow over the years and you can come to visit it in remembrance of your lost loved one. A tree is a physical reminder that the legacy continues.
As the tree grows it represents strength and honor. Different trees symbolize different and varying emotions, for instance, a cherry tree is a symbol of awakening and rebirth, a pine tree symbolizes eternal life. Similarly planting a Japanese Maple signifies great blessings and a peaceful retreat. A redbud tree is known as a symbol of fresh air after a long winter.
And as you watch the tree grow you realize that it is not the end but the beginning, that the spirit of your loved one lives on and you rejoice in all the happy memories.
2. Lantern release
Another appropriate way to memorialize the life of a loved one is to light a memorial lantern, for it reminds us that their light shines on. The beam of light from the lantern provides a word of comfort, warmth to the soul and is consolatory.
The gentle and soft flame from the lantern lends us a hand to focus on the brighter side of life during the dark and cold days.
As a loving manner of relief and hope, colorful lanterns, when released, float in the sky, brightening it up and illuminating it; sparkling a wonderful message of how your loved one filled your life with joy and happiness.
And as the lanterns fly away, they guide the spirit of your loved one to the final destination and the elegant flames remind us that our loved ones are like stars that are shining on us and are watching us.
3. Paddle Out ceremony
Paddle out ceremonies have their origin in Hawaii and gained a spotlight recently. Paddle-out ceremonies are held to celebrate the lives of the honorable people who had a positive influence on one’s life. A paddle-out ceremony incorporates spirituality, and relief from grief and is a symbol of eternity.
In a Paddle out ceremony relatives and guests gather on the shore of an ocean and paddle together on their paddleboards in the ocean, often forming a circle, holding hands, and releasing the ashes of a loved one into the ocean. Other rituals include singing songs and offering prayers and recitations to honor the deceased.
Apart from honoring and remembering the deceased, these ceremonies also play a key role in creating harmony and unity among the participants and can act as excellent gatherings for making new friends.
4. Share meaningful memories of your loved one
Losing a loved one is hard. As their soul departs to the final resting place, they leave a void in our hearts; yet at the same time, they leave behind a trail of wonderful memories that carry sentimental value.
Narrating dear and sweet stories of your loved ones with your children, family members and friends remind you of the cherishable memories you shared with the deceased. It lets the world know that your beloved person had a beautiful soul that left a great impact on the world.
Sharing memories of your loved ones and holding on to their love keep them alive within you. As long as you live, they will live in your heart, they will be loved and will always be remembered.
5. A musical celebration of life
The death of a loved one is a painful and rough encounter. People are usually lost for words, as they mourn the demise of their beloved person. Music can prove to be a powerful medium to lift the spirit of the mourners, to console them, and to provide them with hope and confidence.
Hire an audio technician to help set up the sound system for the event. In events like these warm, tender, and emotional songs are played. Select a playlist that has a deep connection with the late soul. Songs that bring to light the feelings of longing for the deceased, pleasant remembrances, and deep affections are played.
For a good celebration of life even, good music is a must!
6. Memory table
A memory table functions to convey lifetime emotions and memories. It is a reflection of a person’s personality and provides a visual representation of the life of your beloved person who departed.
A memory table is usually displayed at funerals but can also be exhibited at other events, for instance at weddings, birthday parties, graduations to celebrate the departed souls in the heavens who cannot physically attend your big day.
A memory table can be decorated with a few key items that remind people of the shared and fond memories, for instance, their favorite book, their favorite flower, a scarf or a team jersey, or memorial lanterns with beautiful quotes.
You could also place a diary for people to share and narrate meaningful stories of the deceased.
7. Play a slideshow
If you have recently lost a loved one, a friend, a relative, a parent, or a sibling; a memorial slideshow is a beautiful and touching way to pay tribute to their lives. It offers a nice way to take a last, pleasant glimpse into the person’s life and might be a tear-jerker for some.
Add cherished photos and lively videos of your loved one and combine the images with the music they loved to create a memorable slideshow that tells the whole life story of the person in an unforgettable manner.
It is a great way to hop on the train of memories you had with the person and helps friends and family to relive the memories and if watched repeatedly, preserve the legacy.
8. Register a star in their name
Registering a star in the name of a loved one is an eternal tribute that will last forever. Whereas other memorials fade away, a memory star will forever persist.
It can be seen from anywhere around the world and will remind you of their memories, love, and that you are watched. It will help you feel their presence at all times and will make you feel connected to them.
Choose a Star package according to your budget, name the star, you can also choose a bundle or a constellation, and then you will receive a Star certificate.
You are making a great choice by deciding to buy a start for your loved one, for stars do not die out.
9. Donate in the deceased name
Losing someone that you love is a sad memory that one carries on their mind throughout their lifetime. Donating in the name of the deceased is a noble and uplifting way to recall and memorialize their lives. It is an exceptional way to add to their legacy which will keep them alive in the hearts of other people.
Donating to an organization that they always fancied not only provides for donations but comforts you as you are spending on a cause that was valuable to them.
Find out what they used to donate which can include money, food, clothes, or any other valuables worth donating. You can always reach out to different organizations that can make your donations useful to those who are deserving.
10. Fireworks
One of the unique ways to celebrate the life of your loved one is memorial fireworks often called farewell fireworks, or funeral fireworks. Farewell fireworks have gained a spotlight recently and are a wonderful farewell to a loved one.
If your loved one was cremated, these are truly fantastic events to distribute the ashes of a loved one in a beautiful way over the heavens.
The fireworks are made with the ashes of your loved one, are carefully crafted, and are decorated with beautiful flowers that hold the cremation ashes of your loved one. These short personalized memorial events will stay in the memories of everyone forever.
11. Quote board
Creating colorful yet elegant quote boards is a very popular tradition and simple way to celebrate the life of an esteemed loved one. The quote boards are adorned with comforting and reassuring quotes and pictures of the deceased and the grieving family.
You can decorate the board with colorful frames, stickers of birds and butterflies as a symbol of love and hope, and beautiful 3D callouts. You can also add sticky notes for friends and family to leave consoling and sympathetic messages.
12. Start a book club
Starting a book club in the memory of a loved one is beyond comparison. You can collect and make a list of all the books that your loved one used to enjoy and was fond of.
It can be inaugurated anywhere for instance at a high school, college, or even a public library. Gather a group of friends, meet regularly, and choose one specific book every time to study and discuss.
Book-reading will not only comfort you but will also inspire and educate you. You can also share related stories of your loved ones with the book club and in this way keep their legacy alive.
13. Name a rose after them
An ever-lasting memorial that will last for years is to name your very own rose bush after your loved one. It is one of the most special ways imaginable to immortalize the memory and love of a person in your life.
Your very own personalized rose bush, named after your loved one, with red, pink, or yellow flowers, dark green leaves, and a beautiful scent will be a constant reminder of your beloved person. You can either plant it in a garden, or put it in a pot at your front door, or you may also plant it in your backyard.
With the proper care and attention, it will bloom for a whole season and will be a welcoming addition to the beauty of your garden as well.
14. Release doves in their name
One way to honor your loved one is to release white doves in their memory
The spiritual meaning of doves is a symbol of the deepest kind of peace, faith, and hope. It is thought to quiet down our troubled thoughts and offers a soothing feeling in times of grief and sorrow. It renews our minds, refreshes our souls, and leaves the attendees with a feeling of hope.
At funerals and memorials, the dove release is usually the last part of the service. Dove release symbolizes the departing soul and the angels carrying the soul to heaven.
Dove release can be performed at a graveyard, funeral home, or at a place that the deceased used to adore.
15. Distribute food and drinks
Distributing drinks and food is an act of kindness in the name of the beloved lost person. It shows that the love and care they displayed once is not gone and is alive even in their absence.
Start off by cooking their favorite meals, once you are finished, distribute the food along with some drinkables among the needy and deserving. This generosity not only facilitates the needy community but also takes you on a beautiful journey of memorable thoughts of the deceased.
16. Accomplish something they always wanted you to
If you’ve lost a parent, fulfilling their desire to see you accomplish something is a great way to celebrate their life and all that they did for you. One of the best ways to pay tribute to someone who is no longer with you is to reach a goal they always wished you to achieve.
This includes things your beloved showed great interest in but you couldn’t sadly achieve it in their lifetime. For instance, marriage, getting a degree, or an award.
You will endure their presence in their absence and feel connected as it brings great satisfaction and joy by carrying out and fulfilling their undone wishes.
17. Play their favorite sport
Another great way to remember and rejoice in the life of a loved one is to play their favorite sport.
Playing their favorite sport takes you back to the times when you used to watch them play, getting indulged in the game all sweaty and enthusiastic. It reminds you of their admiration for the sport.
The loud cheers of the audience cause you to recollect the times when you were among the audience cheering for them.
18. Paint a portrait of them
Memorial paintings are crafted to conserve the memory of a beloved person. These portraits are a decorative way to honor and celebrate the life of a loved one. They keep the memories of the beloved alive in vibrant colors and are a way of capturing the essence of the person’s personality and your relationship with them.
Whether it’s a photo of the deceased, or a family photo, or a landscape that your loved one admired; memorial portraits and paintings are precious keepsakes that people prefer to display inside their homes and offices.
Hanging the memorial painting in your living room will function as a constant and regular reminder to keep your loved one in your thoughts and prayers, and to always feel their presence.
19. Visit their favorite place
When a person leaves this impermanent and temporary world, they leave their essence behind. Revisiting their favorite places is a comforting way to honor your loved ones, as it makes you feel their presence as if they are around.
This can be any place, a local Starbucks where they used to sip on their coffee or the local library where they used to read books, or even a nearby beachside.
It is a place where your heart feels drenched with memories of the cozy evenings you have spent together. It reminds you of the little mellow moments and the kitty fights with a bittersweet smile on your face.
20. Kite flying
Another splendid way to celebrate the life of your beloved person is to fly colorful kites in their memory. Kites portray the feeling of peace and restfulness, represent life, and honor the deceased.
Kite flying can be an uplifting and positive way to remember the ones you have loved and lost. It emphasizes the fact that memorials can be a healthy and positive way to gather and celebrate the legacy of a loved one and to reflect on the happy memories you shared with them.
Colorful and decorated kites when sailing through the sky with thoughtful messages tied with them dispense a beautiful sight as well as a hope of communication with the lost soul.
21. Release boats in a river
The sudden demise of a loved one hurts to the core. Releasing paper boats into water is an eco-friendly way to pay a tribute to the life of the one you loved.
Get a biodegradable paper, write a letter to the loved one that you miss, express your feelings, write anything and everything that is on your mind that you always wanted them to know. Shape the paper into a boat, place a candle, and float them down a river or a lake.
The candle represents the spirit of the loved one and the river serves as the journey of the spirit to the next realm.
22. Get a Tattoo in their memory
Imprinting a tattoo is a permanent way to keep your loved ones and their memories as close to you as possible. Memorial tattoos are of different types, so if you are affirmative about remembering your loved one for life, here are some designs that can provide the right inspiration.
You can get roses with their initials, a heart, their birth and death dates, angels as a sign of reassurance, beautiful and fragile hummingbirds, or objects close to the deceased person.
Make sure to select the designs that make you feel loved, watched, and thankful for the memories you had with the person rather than designs that make you sad.
23. Do something they always wanted to
Every person wishes to experience thrilling and joyful moments in life and it may be possible that the departed soul could not fulfill his wishes in his life.
So fulfilling the smallest wishes and dreams of your beloved bereaved is a great way to dwell upon the thoughts of their beautiful life journey. These wishes may include going on a hike, visiting places they always wished to go, running a marathon, and even something as small as fishing.
This can flash a lot of joy and great memories on the screen of your mind and will help you remember all the good things about the deceased.
The people we cherish always want us to be happy and joyful, even after they leave this world. So we should always console our hearts, be happy and keep praying for them. In order to keep them alive forever, we should keep doing things they love.
Hey fellow Linguaholics! It’s me, Marcel. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. It is my utmost pleasure to share with all of you guys what I know about languages and linguistics in general.