Living Funerals
A living funeral, also called a life celebration, is a chance to rejoice in a person’s life while they are still around to share your stories and enjoy the gathering of friends and family.
According to Legacy.com, celebrating life before the end lets everyone share in the love.
Have you ever wished you knew what glowing things your friends and family would say about you at your funeral? You can — if you plan a living funeral.
A trend that’s growing in popularity, a living funeral is just what the name sounds like. It’s a funeral-type gathering, but with one small difference from a traditional funeral. It’s held while the person being honored is still alive.
That small difference, of course, makes a huge impact on the tone of the gathering. A living funeral tends to be upbeat and celebratory rather than sad and mournful. After all, the guest of honor is still alive at a living funeral.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no deep emotion in a living funeral. This sort of gathering is typically planned toward the end of a person’s life. It could be that the right time for a living funeral is shortly after a person’s diagnosis with a terminal illness, or as a hospice stay approaches. A living funeral could be scheduled to coincide with a milestone birthday. Often a 90th or 100th birthday party and a living funeral will be rolled into one big gathering.
What happens at a living funeral? A lot of the same things that happen at a traditional funeral, only the guest of honor is able to appreciate them. A living funeral might incorporate some or all of these elements: speeches, readings, music, food and drink, conversation, guest book, charitable donations, meaningful location, and personal touches.
Living funerals can be as simple as an afternoon tea for those closest to you or as elaborate as a big wedding reception.
It may be important to the person’s psychological state and also that of the dying person’s family to attend the living funeral. It is also sometimes used as a time to read the will and explain the reasons behind some of the decisions contained within it.
I can assist with all the Living Funeral Planning. As an ordained minister, I am available to serve as officiant.
Living Funerals/Celebration of Life
This serves as a general guideline. All services are customizable and will be tailored to your specific needs.
Initial Consultation: One 30-minute session. I’ll listen to your needs, expectations, and desires then we’ll discuss how I may best serve you. If I cannot meet any of your needs, I will direct you to a service or vendor that will be able to help you. This meeting can take place via phone, Zoom, or in-person.
Planning Session: up to 4 hours to create a Celebration of Life/Living Funeral. I’ll help you choose location, invitations, music, decor, and more.
Tours: I will meet you at a location to assess viability for the event. I will schedule the tour with the facility and be there to guide you towards a complete understanding of the options and process.
Funeral Officiant: As an ordained minister (Universal Life Church), I am qualified to officiate your ceremony of choice. I will do my best to honor your requests, to ensure the most loving and respectful event for your loved ones.
Cost of Services
Initial Consultation: $50 for one 30-minute session via phone or Zoom
$75 for one 30-minute session in-person
Planning Session: $500 for 4 hours. Additional sessions are available, if needed, at a rate of $100/hour.
Tours: $100 each
Officiant: $350
Living Funeral Package: $650 ($775 value, $125 savings)
Includes Initial Consultation, one (1) 4-hour Planning Session, and two (2) Tours. Additional Planning Session hours at $75/hour ($25/hour savings).
Living Funeral Planning cooperates with other offered services. We can discuss bundle savings, if more than one service is requested.