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| Celebration of Life Memorial Service |
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Officiant Frank Harlan can assist your family in finding closure after you've completed your journey.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service is a secular service that can often be more practical than a traditional funeral service, especially if your body was cremated, donated to science or simply not available (i.e. 9-11-01). This kind of memorial service can take place any time after your death; from a couple of days to a few months
“For some people it’s hard to sort these things out
and make a plan while they are alive. However,
it is impossible to do once you are dead.”
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service allows your grieving family time to catch their breath, make peace with your passing, get organized, make a plan and find a place to bring all of your family and friends together for a celebration of your life; lots of shared memories that will includes tears, laughter, stories, food, drink and joyous celebration!
How do you want to be remembered?
To learn more about having a memorial service planned with you while you are still alive, or for a family member who has recently passed, schedule a complimentary meeting with Officiant Frank Harlan.
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Planning Your Own Celebration of Life Memorial Service.
Did you know that your Memorial service can be planned by you? Imagine, you’ve made a plan and written your wishes for what you would like to see happen at your own memorial service. As morbid as it may sound, you planning your own memorial program before you die can be a great relief to your family.
When you plan your own Memorial Service, you can choose the music, select your favorite photos and decide what readings (poetry, stories, favorite quotes) you want to be shared with everyone after your passing. If you do not make a plan, while you can, your family is left to plan the ceremony without any help or actually knowing how you want to say "good bye".
With a bit of thoughtful planning you can create a service that will help your family and friends to find closure and help make it easier for loved ones to find comfort in your absence.
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Do-It-Yourself Celebration of Life Memorial
First off, get over the fact that, your death is inevitable and simply live, love and laugh as much as you can until then. Truth is, there are no do-overs once your card is pulled. Plus, it’s really up to you to make it easy for your spouse, partner or children to do as your “Last Wishes” have stated.
Okay, planning a Memorial Service or Celebration of Life Service for yourself (or a loved one) can be easily implemented by organizing the elements outlined below. They are the key to pulling this thing off, since chances are, if your last wishes were followed so far, at this point you nothing more than a pile of ashes resting in an ornate container or an old Mason jar. Venue and Date
If you are alive this is the last thing to worry about. If you are dead, this is the first task that should be taken care of. If possible, try to have your event set up at a venue or location you loved to be; a park, a museum, your own home, your favorite tavern, or an intimate public place. A Box of Memories (a.k.a. Your Life’s History in a Cardboard Box)
Put all of the stuff listed below in a small cardboard box and make sure a couple of people know where it can be found. If they tell you’re crazy to be thinking about this stuff, make sure they are in charge of your things when the time comes. They will be impressed with the fact that you refused to listen and made it easy for them throw you a great send off celebration. |
The following is a sample
Order of Service
for you to customize to fit your
own unique circumstances.
Music (ambience while guests arrive)
Opening Words
Candle Lighting or other Ritual
Address (background story information)
First Reading / Favorite Song
Personal Memories
(
shared by family members & friends)
Second Reading / Favorite Song
Summation by service leader
Closing words
Music and socializing
Reception soft drinks and finger foods so guests can visit and socialize for at least an hour. |
#1 Guest List
Create a list of who you would like to have contacted and made aware of your passing. This would also be the List of Guests who might attend your Memorial. I find that name, mailing address, email and phone # is the best info to have. An Excel spreadsheet is perfect for this and can be burned on a CD Rom or stored on a flash drive.
#2 The Media (optional)
Please Note: For Celebrities or Semi-Celebrities hosting a Public Memorial; a Press Release might be appropriate. If that’s the case, create a list of local TV, Print, Online publications and Blogs to add to your Guest List
#3 Favorite Music
Plan now to set the mood for the people who knew you well and just hearing a song or two would immediately bring images of the good times you shared. Don’t be too somber. If you loved classic rock, punk rock, hair bands from the 80’s or 70’ Funk…put it on your list. If you were a musician, play your own stuff. Make it easy, burn a CD Rom of 15-20 tunes and add it to you Box of Memories.
#4 Favorite Photographs
Photos from all the different decades of your life from birth to the present. It’s good to have a photo of yourself taken, printed and added to you box of personal photos every year. This can be made into a slide show by storing it on a CD Rom of a flash drive. Maybe you prefer having it organized in a scrap book. Video clips may also be incorporated into this mix of visual elements.
Note: Choose the image you would like used in your Obituary for the newspaper and the one you would like enlarged into a poster of you for the Memorial. |
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#5 Favorite Stuff (Things You Loved)
Everyone has a few things, if not more , that they cherish. It could be a musical instrument, books, art, awards of recognition, or even a few Hummel statuettes. Whatever it is, if it will remind people of who you were, put it in the box.
Optional Idea: Make a list, or with a piece of tape, put the name of the person you want each item to go to at the end of the event.
#6 A Personal Letter
Lastly, I think it’s a great idea to write a letter to your friends and family. Some final words or thought that you can share with them about how much they affected you throughout your life.
Think of your Memorial Service as a friends and family get-together that you won’t be able to attend. And, remember, setting the mood and environment is the secret to sending off your loved ones with fond memories of you. Creating laughter and tears instead of sadness and heartache is the goal. |
