The passing of a loved one is, of course, a very sad time, but funerals do not necessarily have to be mournful and austere occasions. 

A celebration of life funeral service, for example, puts the emphasis on happy memories of the life that was lived and the joy they brought to others.

There has never been one set way to go about holding a funeral and different traditions have arisen over time, inspired by culture, religion and circumstance.

There are no set rules to say you must follow a traditional funeral service format with everyone wearing black, slow processions and sombre music. Instead, there can be joy, colour and anecdotes to get people smiling.

Indeed, a 2024 survey found that 68 per cent wanted funerals to be more about celebration than mourning, up from 58 per cent in a previous survey in 2019.

What Happens In A Celebration Of Life?

A key feature of celebrations of life is that a stand-alone service takes place after a cremation, so there won’t be a coffin at the centre of it all. Instead, the focus is on:

  • Their passions, such as their favourite music, hobbies or achievements
  • Memorable and amusing anecdotes
  • Sharing of memories through visual items like photos or items owned by the person who has passed
  • Their favourite music can be played, rather than traditional hymns
  • The event is designed to bring people together in a party atmosphere
  • Holding the event at a venue where everyone feels comfortable, not necessarily a traditional funeral venue

What Do You Wear To A Celebration Of Life?

The question of what to wear at a funeral often brings to mind traditional, formal clothing in darker colours.

If you ask “what colour are you supposed to wear to a celebration of life?”, the answer will often depend on the wishes of the family and the nature of the occasion. 

You may be invited to wear your loved one’s favourite colour or something that reflects their personality, for example.

The colour scheme is often individualised in this way but it might be that the celebration takes a different tack and simply asks people to wear bright clothes or casual outfits. 

Once the traditional way of marking someone’s passing is abandoned, all possibilities exist.

Do You Bring Gifts To A Celebration Of Life?

It’s not expected to take gifts to either a celebration of life or a more traditional funeral, although if you do want to bring a sympathy card or flowers, this is certainly sure to be appreciated by those closest to the departed.

There are some alternative gifts that you might also want to bring:

  • Lasting garden ornaments such as wind chimes or lanterns
  • Photo frames, especially if you include some pictures of happy memories
  • Memory books

Something to approach with caution is the purchase of gifts with a religious theme, which may or may not fit the tone of the occasion depending on the beliefs of the one who has passed and those close to them.

Who Should Speak At A Celebration Of Life?

Deciding who should speak at a celebration of life highlights also differs from a traditional funeral, where the service will be led by a minister or celebrant. 

In some funerals, nobody else speaks, while in others there may be a tribute or readings by others.

In a celebration of life service, the typical approach is for a much wider array of people to speak. These can include family members, friends, work colleagues and perhaps a guest speaker when appropriate.

As such, there isn’t one person leading the service, but a succession of friends and family sharing anecdotes.

These features make celebrations of life an occasion for joy, creating and sharing happy memories instead of a day of tears. It may be little wonder that they are growing in popularity.