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Dealing with bereavement

Celebrating Life: Personalising Funerals to Reflect Unique Stories

by Laura Clipson

• Published 18/09/2023

Traditionally funerals have always been sombre occasions, marked by grief and mourning. However, there is a growing movement to shift the focus from mourning the loss to celebrating the life lived. Personalising funerals to reflect the unique stories and personalities of the deceased in order to celebrate their life both honours the departed and can play a vital role in the healing process for grieving loved ones.

Here are some ways to honour and remember loved ones in a more meaningful and uplifting manner:

Customised themes
One way to personalise a funeral is by choosing a theme that resonates with the deceased’s interests or personality. If they were passionate about sports, for instance, try to incorporate elements of this into their funeral, perhaps asking funeral goers to wear the colours of their favourite team. If they were an avid gardener, the funeral could be adorned with flowers and plants.

Memories and stories
Sharing memories and stories of the deceased is a great way to honour them. Incorporating storytelling sessions or video tributes allows friends and family to reminisce, recounting cherished moments, humorous anecdotes and heartwarming tales. This both helps mourners to remember their loved one as they were, as well as providing an opportunity for healing through laughter and connection.

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Interactive activities
Another idea is to opt for interactive activities that mirror the interests of the deceased. For example, organising a fundraiser for their favourite cause, a karaoke session or musical activity if they were a music lover, or playing board games together to honour their love of them. Participating in activities the deceased was passionate about allows the funeral to become a celebration of the person’s life rather than solely a mourning of their death.

Meaningful keepsakes
Personalised keepsakes could be distributed to attendees rather than traditional funeral favours. Small things such as seed packets for nature lovers, bookmarks for book lovers, or the deceased’s favourite recipe can serve as lasting reminders of the departed’s unique qualities.

Artistic expressions
Displaying customised art, paintings or sculptures to represent the deceased’s personality, hobbies or achievements can help to add a personal touch to their funeral, while also giving attendees a chance to appreciate their loved one’s life from a creative perspective.

By incorporating themes, memories, interactive activities, keepsakes and artistic expressions into funerals, we can create a more uplifting and meaningful atmosphere that reflects the unique stories and experiences of your loved one. These personalised touches not only honour the individual but also provide comfort and solace to those who are grieving.

Thank you for reading.

For more articles like this, why not try one of the following:

- Honouring Loved Ones: Creating Meaningful Funeral Rituals

- The Healing Power of Funerals: How Rituals Aid in the Grieving Process