The short answer is it can be anything. Celebration of Life ceremonies organized by cremation services in Fairview, PA, or anywhere is always unique to the person being honored. Thus, you can expect a variety of things to take place.
A Celebration of Life ceremony can be a super casual gathering with food, dance, and mingling. It can also be a structured, organized, formal event with an order of service that includes religious customs, eulogy, readings, and stories from loved ones.
Regardless, there are still a few norms and etiquettes you can plan for, such as what to wear and bring to the ceremony.
Dress Code for a Celebration of Life
Just as there is no standard schedule or structure for a Celebration of Life ceremony, there is no one-size-fits-all dress code. Many of them are party-like, and it is not unusual for a CoL event to have non-formal dress styles such as costumes and sports jerseys.
The only constant across all types of CoL events is modest dressing. Whatever you choose or are instructed to wear should still be respectful and show dignity for the deceased.
However, this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. In fact, unless the family specifically requests it, you should avoid the sad and dreary look of the classic all-black funeral dress.
Without a specific dress instruction, you are better off wearing something with a dash of color. Yellow, blue, pink, and even red are acceptable choices if the style is not overly showy or bold.
Overall, let the theme, mood, and location choose the right dress for you. As long as your outfit is respectful, whatever you wear will be fine.
What to Bring to a Celebration of Life
Similarly, the right gift depends on the theme and mood of the event. While appropriate for a funeral or memorial service, a condolence card might not be a good idea for a CoL.
Since it is a personalized ceremony, a charitable donation to the deceased’s favorite charity or cause is better. You can also bring a food basket filled with their favorite snacks and desserts.
Flowers, like white roses and lilies, are not standard practice for a Celebration of Life ceremony. If you wish to send them, it is better to send them to the loved ones’ home after the ceremony.
However, if the departed loved a particular type of flower, it is okay to bring it to the ceremony. On the whole, the ideal gift should be personal and unique.
More importantly, you should prepare ahead of time. A Celebration of Life ceremony tends to be an exclusive affair involving family and close friends.
If you’re invited, prepare a few sentences or stories that highlight your relationship with the departed.
A Celebration of Life ceremony is an event for the unconditional expression of the beauty of the life the deceased led. Understanding what it entails is crucial to achieving this goal.
For additional questions or help planning one, reach out to us. Our Fairview, PA cremation service team is committed to learning your loved one’s story and identifying unique ways to honor their life. Reach out to us today; we are only a phone call away.
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