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What is a Memorial Gathering (or Celebration of Life)?

A Memorial Gathering (or Celebration of Life) can consist of a ceremony or an informal gathering of people who share a common loss, allowing family and friends to honour their loved one who has died in a more personal and non-traditional approach. While a funeral service has more to do with an orderly and often spiritually-defined event, a memorial gathering or celebration of life is an event that honours and celebrates the deceased, in a way that is less somber and serious than other types of gatherings. It is intended to lift everyone's spirits by focusing on positive memories, and celebrating the unique personality and achievements of the deceased without the more formal and traditional nature of a funeral.

Sarah York opens her book, Remembering Well, with the very personal story about how her family chose to pay tribute to her mother. "My mother died in April 1983... She didn't want a funeral. 'Get together and have a party,' she had said when the topic was allowed to come up. We needed to say good-bye, but we also needed a ritual that would honour her spirit and would be faithful to her values and beliefs."

Gatherings and celebrations of life can be pretty much anything you want them to be, and often appear to be more of a party than something commemorating the person’s death.  It may be structured like an upbeat memorial service, or it may be a time for people to gather or drop-in to celebrate the person's life.  You are likely to hear lots of laughter and storytelling, and the focus is not on the death of the person, but on the joy that person brought to others and the unique life he or she lived. Celebrations of life can take place anywhere - a funeral home, family home, restaurant...anywhere that will be suitable to accommodate the number of guests anticipated to attend.

More often these days, people are asking their friends and family to turn their death into a party - to celebrate their life while being surrounded by the love and support of family and friends and find joy in the wonderful memories being shared. A celebration of life allows family and friends to honour their loved one who has died with a more personal and joyful approach.

The memorial gathering or celebration of life should be as special as the life you will be remembering.  Here are just a few ideas on how to personalize this type of tribute:
  • Display photos, memorabilia, collections or artwork at the celebration (i.e. put an artist’s work on display, bring the baker’s prized cookie recipe or bake something for your guests to enjoy, bring an angler’s fishing rod…the sky’s the limit!)
  • Ask several people to share memories and talk about different aspects of the person who died
  • Have a slideshow for people to watch as they share memories – pictures tell a thousand words
  • Encourage the sharing of some humor as well as poignant situations
  • Purchase packets of the person’s favorite flower or vegetable seeds and ask everyone to plant them in honor of the deceased
  • Ask people to jot a memory of the person on a card and put it in a jar. Later, you can either read these memories aloud or put them together in an email that you send later
  • Make a playlist of the deceased person’s favorite music for everyone to enjoy. Music evokes emotion, so be prepared for laughter, tears, and everything in between
  • Share in a toast to honour the person’s life
  • Have the person’s favourite treat, snack or food served
  • Ask those who were closest to the person to participate by playing music, giving readings, making food for the gathering – whatever suits their own unique talents



We encourage you to contact us to speak with one of our staff members if you would like to plan a Memorial Gathering or Celebration of Life to honour your loved one.

We would also be pleased to provide you with more information about the services, facilities and amenities we offer, so family and friends can focus on sharing special memories while we look after all the details.
Source:
Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life & Mourning Death, Sara York
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