It may seem like an unusual idea – to have a celebration after a person has passed away. A celebration of life isn’t the first thing you think of when it comes to a memorial service. However, many people actually want this for themselves, after they’re gone. They want their loved ones to gather and celebrate a life well-lived, rather than have a somber and sorrowful atmosphere. If your loved one wanted aquamation services near Jacksonville, NC, and also wished for a celebration of life to be held in their honor, then it’s not difficult to put it all together.

As you may be able to tell from the name, a celebration of life is typically rather different from a traditional funeral or memorial service. It can take place in any number of places; perhaps you want to hold it at a local park, or on the property of a family member or friend. You might choose to rent out a gathering hall, or you may choose to hold it in your place of worship. One thing that can help you choose where to host the celebration of life is to consider how many people you expect to attend. If it will be a bit smaller, you might have it somewhere more familiar and intimate. If you expect many people from the community to come, then you may want to opt for a more accommodating location.

Many celebrations of life also include food and drink. For a smaller get-together, you could have a potluck, where people can bring a passing dish to share. On the other hand, you might choose to have the event catered, or you may purchase carry-out food to bring it and serve to everyone in attendance. Any combination of these is possible, as well. For drinks, you may keep it as simple as a few coolers full of various drinks, or you might provide a bar.

Beyond this, you’ll want to think about things that will really represent your loved one. Take time to consider the music and playlist you want. Ask family and friends for photos or videos that can be shown. Ask if anyone wants to share a special memory, or even play a song to honor your loved one. You can have a toast in their memory, or incorporate some special cultural traditions that have meaning for your family. You could serve food that they loved during life, or that held meaning based on their heritage.

These are just a few of the ways that you can make a celebration of life that much more personal to the person it’s meant to honor. An event like this is intended to celebrate the life of a person who was loved by many. It offers a chance for family and friends to gather and reminisce about the person they loved. If they had chosen aquamation services near Jacksonville, NC, as their method of disposition, then you will be able to take as much time as you need to plan a special service in their honor.