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Written by Betty Gardiner.
15 minute read
Article reviewed by Judy Carole, Published Author on March 21, 2025.
Thinking of celebration of life ideas which do our loved ones justice can be quite stressful: we only get one chance to organise a good celebration, and the stakes might be especially high if their funeral was unattended. In this article we are going to discuss some celebration of life ideas to help get you started.
Key Takeaways
A celebration of life is a heartfelt gathering where friends and family come together to remember a loved one who has passed away. While a traditional funeral focuses on formalities or solemnly saying goodbye, this type of farewell allows families to celebrate the life of a loved one in many different ways.
The event honours the person’s legacy, memories and unique qualities. It can take place on the same day your loved one is laid to rest or be a separate event. Some even choose to have a living funeral. This is a celebration of life that people have whilst still alive to enjoy time with their loved ones and make new memories as they reflect on their lives.
A celebration of life can look however you want and be wherever you want. This freedom allows for a more personalised and relaxed atmosphere, encouraging attendees to share stories, memories, and moments that highlight the joy and impact the person brought to others.
Choosing a celebration of life allows family and friends to honour a loved one in a way that truly reflects who they were. It shifts the focus from mourning their loss to cherishing the beautiful moments they lived.
Some find this approach more comforting than a traditional funeral which may feel too somber or not fitting for the person that has passed. For many, a celebration of life provides an opportunity for healing, as it creates a space for both grief and gratitude.
Additionally, a celebration of life can be held at any time, whether shortly after a loved one’s passing or on a special date. This flexibility allows you and others the chance to breathe and gather your thoughts before planning an event. It can even revolve around the spreading of ashes. If you would like some more inspiration, read about Harry’s story.
Aura’s founder, Paul Jameson, doesn’t see himself having a traditional funeral. What he really wants is a celebration of life, where his loved ones can come together to dance, laugh, share good food, and remember him with joy.
When the time comes, he hopes his ashes will be put inside of fireworks and set off, lighting up the night sky as part of the party.
It was this idea of making goodbyes more personal and meaningful that inspired Paul to create Aura.
If you’d like to plan ahead for your own unique farewell, we are here to help you organise a direct cremation as part of a personal celebration of life.
Planning a celebration of life can feel like a big task, but breaking it down into smaller steps can help make it more manageable.
The first step is to find a location that can hold your celebration of life event and will suit your guest’s travel arrangements. This can be anywhere significant to your family or the person being remembered, whether it’s a cosy family home, a favourite park, or even a local community centre. The venue may then only have certain dates available which can help you narrow down your timeframe, but make sure you give yourself enough time to organise the event.
Once you know where and when the celebration of life will take place, you can then manage some of the details like what you want people to wear or do while gathered together. It can be helpful to think about the hobbies your loved one enjoyed or something you remember them for.
The planning process can be a way for family and friends to feel involved and connected during a time of grief. Asking others to contribute can be a good way to share the task load and bond over remembering the person who has passed.
Once you’ve chosen the date, location, and activities, invite those around you to join the celebration. You can send formal printed invitations, digital invites, or create a social media event. Be sure to include key details like the date, time, venue, and dress code, and make them aware of any interactive guest participation.
You might want to outline how the day will unfold. This could include time for welcoming guests, moments of silence or reflection and readings, perhaps from some of their favourite stories about death or non-religious funeral poems. You can also plan for more interactive moments, like memory-sharing sessions or playing tribute videos or slideshows. This will help give the event structure but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to it. See where your memories take you and let the day flow naturally.
When we think of a funeral, certain traditions and rituals tend to come to mind. A celebration of life, on the other hand, can be tailored to the needs of your family. Organisers create a memorable tribute by incorporating personal touches, tailoring the event to the life you are celebrating. Here are a few celebration of life ideas that might help make your event customised.
Be inspired by your loved one’s passion and plan the event around what they love to do in their free time. For example, if they were a green thumb, you could host a garden party where guests can plant flowers and share stories amongst the blooms. For a music lover, consider a gathering with live music or get out some instruments and encourage guests to enjoy a jam session.
This approach allows guests to connect over shared interests and memories in a setting that truly represents the person being remembered.
While black is the traditional choice for a funeral, a celebration of life offers the chance to bring in colour and creativity. You might choose to have a theme, or simply encourage guests to dress in a way that reflects your loved one’s personality. That could mean wearing their favourite colour, dressing up in fancy dress, or simply coming in casual clothes that feel comfortable.
This can help make the atmosphere feel more relaxed and less formal, whilst celebrating the life your loved one lived and the person they truly were.
Crafting handmade, themed decorations can be a heartfelt way to personalise a celebration of life and make it feel truly unique. If you enjoy being crafty, you might choose to create something yourself, or you could invite friends and family to join in as a creative group activity. Together you could make photo garlands filled with special memories, arrange flowers in their favourite colours, or design custom candles with scents that remind you of your loved one.
These touches help create a warm atmosphere while also giving everyone a meaningful keepsake to take home.
Creating a meaningful tribute allows you to honour your loved one’s memory and can help you find closure, too. One way to memorialise their life is to write a heartfelt eulogy, filled with personal stories and memories. Another option is to create a personal photo album or scrapbook, featuring snapshots of their happiest moments.
For a lasting tribute in a special place, you may find comfort in installing a memorial bench or planting a tree along their favourite scenic walk. These tributes can offer a space for reflection and ensure their memory lives on in a place they love.
Whether you’re thinking about a planning a personal funeral for someone else or thinking ahead for yourself, Aura is here to help. Learn more about how our prepaid funeral plans help make a celebration of life possible.
Honouring a mother, father or grandparent with a celebration of life can be a very meaningful way to remember their role in your life. You may want a theme that revolves around their passions or an idea that remembers the ways they’ve impacted your life, small or big. Here are a few ideas that might spark some inspiration:
It’s never easy to lose a loved one, but the loss of a child can be especially difficult and may need a different and more gentle approach. Some may want to focus on the light and love their bundle of joy brought into the world by filling a day with exciting activities. This could be enjoying their favourite games, creating art or swimming at their favourite beach.
If a more peaceful and quiet celebration of life ideas feels right to you, then you could create a memory jar. This allows attendees to reflect on cherished moments, express their feelings and write down memories as a thoughtful gesture to the family. Another option could be lighting candles in their memory, giving you and your closest people an intimate moment together in this difficult time.
Whether it is a furry, scaly, or feathered friend who has passed away, celebrating your beloved pet and the companionship that they brought into your life can be a touching way to remember them. You may want to gather with friends at their favourite park or walking trail. You could also commemorate your pet by donating to a local animal shelter in their name. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the important thing is to remember the special bond you had together.
Direct cremation is an alternative to a traditional funeral, focusing on the cremation process. It offers a simple and respectful way to say goodbye to a loved one. Typically, a direct cremation does not include a service or ceremony. Instead, the person who has passed is collected and cremated with no attendees. This allows families to focus on creating a more personalised celebration of life at their own pace.
At Aura, we offer direct cremation services starting at just £1,195, providing an affordable way to care for your loved one whilst allowing you the flexibility to plan a fitting celebration when you’re ready. Our dedicated team, known as the Aura Angels, is here to guide you through every step, from completing the necessary paperwork to organising the return of ashes.
Our free guide to arranging a direct cremation gives you a clear, step-by-step overview of what’s involved, helping you to understand the process and explore whether it’s the right choice for you or your loved ones.
Whether you are thinking ahead for someone on end-of-life care or arranging a funeral now for someone who has passed, we hope this guide can help.
In this guide, you will find:
Information about Aura and the support we offer.
For those who want to plan ahead and ensure their farewell is handled smoothly, Aura’s prepaid funeral plans can help. Starting at £1,695, our plans allow you to secure today’s prices, sparing your loved ones from unexpected costs and the stress of planning during a difficult time.
Our prepaid plans ensure that when the time comes, your family will have nothing left to pay towards your funeral, giving you peace of mind and allowing your loved ones to focus solely on celebrating your life in a way that reflects your wishes.
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. Whether you’re organising a direct cremation for a loved one or planning your own future arrangements, Aura is here to support you in creating a celebration that feels truly special.
If you have any questions, would like a brochure or simply would like a chat through our services, our award-winning team is here to help.
Unlike other providers, we won’t hassle you with constant calls. We’ll simply ensure you have the information you need and leave you to come to a decision in your own time. When you’re ready for us, our team will be ready to help.
A celebration of life is a more personalised, uplifting alternative to a traditional funeral. It focuses on remembering the unique personality, passions, and impact of the person who has died—often in a less formal, more joyful way than a wake or funeral.
There are many ways to make a celebration meaningful and unique:
Host a themed gathering (e.g. garden party, music night, costume dress)
Encourage guests to wear colours or styles that reflect the person’s personality
Create DIY decorations, such as photo garlands or memory candles
Share a personal slideshow or story circle filled with memories
Yes. Here are some meaningful ideas:
Memory recipe book with family dishes and a shared meal
Photo slideshow with music and images from their life
Story circle, where guests share life lessons or warm memories
Celebrating a child’s life requires a gentle, heartfelt approach:
Host a playful activity day in their honour
Create a memory jar where guests can write thoughts or stories
Light candles in a quiet, intimate tribute
Share their artwork or favourite songs
Absolutely. Pets are beloved family members, and their life can be honoured too:
Host a walk or picnic in their favourite spot
Donate to an animal charity in their name
Share stories and photos of your time together
A direct cremation is a simple cremation without a service. This allows families to plan a separate celebration of life at a more convenient time and place. It provides flexibility for a personalised farewell while keeping costs down.
Aura’s compassionate Aura Angels are here to support you with every detail, whether it’s paperwork, cremation logistics, or planning a meaningful celebration of life. Their mission is to make sure every farewell is dignified, personalised, and fuss-free.