6 Soulful Celebration of Life Ideas to Honor a Loved One

Cremation of Southern Maine • September 26, 2022

To take full advantage of the relaxed nature of celebration of life, you need ideas that capture your loved one’s soul & spirit. These ideas will inspire you.

cremation service in Scarborough ME

A celebration of life is a beautiful, personalized way to honor a loved one after a cremation service in Scarborough, ME. It offers the chance to heal, find closure, and memorialize them in a positive environment. 


There is no shortage of ways to have a celebration of life. Traditional funeral rules do not apply to this type of memorial service. It can exist in any way or form and, thus, be as unique as the life of your loved one. 


To inspire you, we’ve compiled a few ideas below. 


Karaoke Night 


One of the most popular ways to celebrate life is through music. This can be done in several ways, from a karaoke night to a live concert. It can be an evening of family members and friends singing the deceased’s favorite songs or collectively attending their favorite artist’s show. 


Have a home-cooked or private restaurant dinner 


Food is another excellent way to bring people together and share memories of your loved one. Consider ordering food that was special or unique to them in some way, or have guests make it themselves. 


Coloring Books & Activities for Kids 


If you have children in attendance at the celebration of life service, you may also want some activities for them. Coloring books are an excellent option because they allow children (and adults) to express themselves creatively. 


If you want to go even further, consider having a children’s play area with toys and games. 


Make crafts together 


Another great activity for kids and adults alike is making crafts together. This can be done in many ways, from making paper airplanes to creating art pieces out of recycled materials. The possibilities are endless! 


Balloon or Lantern Release 


A popular activity at a celebration of life service is releasing balloons or lanterns into the sky. You can do this for various reasons, including to symbolize the deceased’s spirit’s release into the afterlife or their spirit living on in others. 


If you want to do this, it’s best to check with your venue ahead to ensure they allow it. 


Plant a celebration of life garden or tree 


Make a day out of it with your guests. It’s especially perfect if your loved one enjoyed spending time in nature. Have guests bring their favorite seeds or provide different seedlings based on your loved one’s favorite plants. 


Celebration of Life Tips & Tricks 


While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to planning a celebration of life service, here are some tips and tricks that can help you plan an unforgettable event: 


Make it personal – The most important thing about planning a celebration of life service is making sure it’s as personal as possible. This means using things that were special or unique to the deceased in some way (their favorite food, color, song, etc.). If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for activities, consider asking family members and friends what they remember about the deceased. 


Keep it simple – While you want your celebration of life service to be as personal as possible, you also want to keep it simple. It means focusing on one or two activities that are meaningful and memorable without adding too much extra stuff. 


Have fun – One thing that’s often forgotten when planning a celebration of life service is that it’s supposed to be fun! Let go of any worries about how things look or feel and enjoy yourself with friends and family. 


Contact us today if you’re interested in planning a celebration of life service! We provide cremation services in Scarborough, ME, including helping families organize a celebration of life. Call us now to speak with our professional staff.


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