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A Celebration of Life, Not a Mourning of Death

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Remember them as they were

A traditional funeral service with black suits and quiet church music and people gathered around a casket or urn, is okay for some, but it is not favorable for many people. Sometimes mourning a life just doesn't feel right. Life should be celebrated. It is a special day when people who loved a person gather together and celebrate their life, happily, and remember the person as they were...alive, and vibrant.

Each person is different - has different passions and different loves - so why should every funeral be the same? Look to their life for ideas on how best to celebrate it.

Photo by januszek

Planning a Celebration of Life, A Simple Guide for Turning a Memorial Service into a Celebration of Life

If you are planning a celebration of life rather then a somber funeral, you will want to pick up this book. It tells you all you need to know.

Planning a Celebration of Life, A Simple Guide for Turning a Memorial Service into a Celebration of Life

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 02/16/2012)

This book is full of unique and creative Life Celebration ideas that will help you creat a memorable and personalized celebration. Including: Activities like dove releases and candle lighting ceremonies, remembrance poem and song collections, flowers, food and drink ideas, parting gifts, remembering and coping ideas, a guide to scattering remains, 10 ideas for creating a memorial to keep the memory of your loved one alive.

Photos from Celebrations and Memorials

Remember them as life, not as death.

Freeman Hall Celebration of Life 16 May 2010 Morro Bay CA by mikebaird

Helen Hill's Jazz Funeral by Mark Gstohl

curated content from Flickr

Video Clips

View some celebrations honoring the lives of loved ones.

Dealing Creatively With Death: A Manual of Death Education and Simple Burial

Dealing Creatively with Death: A Manual of Death Education and Simple Burial

by: Ernest Morgan

Amazon Price: $7.50 (as of 02/16/2012)
Used Price: $4.12

Now in its 14th edition, this classic book has sold more than 300,000 copies in earlier editions. It is a small encyclopedia on death-related problems; social, emotional, philosophical and practical. It is written simply and sensitively, drawing substantially on direct experience. It is thoroughly updated from previous editions. Topics include Death Education; Living with Dying; Bereavement; The Right to Die; Simple Burial and Cremation; Funeral Consumer Organizations; Death Ceremonies; and How the Dead can Help the Living.

Concentrate on how they lived, not on how they died

Remember The LIFE They Had

Sometimes death is a sudden tragedy, and sometimes it is a long expected one. Do not let the death of a person impede on the circumstances of their memorial. Celebrate their LIFE.

Traditionally dressed kids by NeilsPhotography

A rose petal memorial amongst the final remains of a loved one marks the end of a life by mikebaird

They men congregate to do a shot by craigemorsels

Gaben balinese funeral 2007-06-10 12-49-09 by kibitan

Funeral Robert Jasper Grootveld 05 by 24oranges.nl

Funeral Robert Jasper Grootveld 13 by 24oranges.nl

Chris, Andy, and Peter take the ashes into the ocean by AndrewEick

curated content from Flickr

Celebration of Life Links

Sites to help you plan your Memorial Celebration

How to Plan a Memorial or Celebration of Life Service: This article helps explain the major topics involved in planning a memorial service of Celebration of Life ceremony from selecting the location and date to finding ways of sharing and preserving memories.
The Funeral - A Celebration of Life: Funeral - A Celebration of Life?
Unique Funeral Ideas: Planning a fitting celebration of a young man's life: When a young man without religious affiliation died suddenly, his family created a celebration that accurately shared highlights of his life
Celebration of Life Stories: Celebrating the life of a loved one is a deeply personal opportunity. Today there are so many ways to truly express who that was. What was their life was like? What did they valued most.
How to Plan a Memorial Service: Planning a Celebration of Life Service or Memorial Ceremony: A Memorial Service is a unique way to honor the memory of a loved one who has died, to express love and affection and most of all to Celebrate a Life.

Not sure you can celebrate?

If you are not sure whether you can celebrate, then you need to come to grips with the fact that death will come. It is inevitable. It may be sudden, or well foreseen. Either way, death is a time to remember life. If you think you will not make it though a celebration of life memorial, or you need to help someone else who is not ready, pick up one of these books, to help you through.

"Don't cry

because it's over.
Smile because it happened."
-Dr. Seuss

Africa Celebrates

In Celebration of Life: by Maitalg | video info

2 ratings | 1,797 views

curated content from YouTube

Final Celebrations: A Guide for Personal and Family Funeral Planning

by: Kathleen Sublette, Martin Flagg

List Price: $9.95
Used Price: $0.01

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He Was a Good Man, But Now He's Gone

by M. Ward

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naheedahsan Feb 16, 2012 @ 1:20 am | delete

great topic. thanks

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cffutah Jan 26, 2012 @ 8:59 pm | delete

wonderful piece indeed, thank you for sharing.

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Princess of the Stars Jan 26, 2012 @ 1:12 am | delete

I loved the text at the beginning! You put in simple words a very complex idea which I think should spread! Funerals as we know them shouldn't exist anymore!

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TwoDogHouse Jan 24, 2012 @ 12:49 pm | delete

Very nicely done. I share your thoughts about celebrating ones life. Remember, we will always have the memories.

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Big_Joe Jan 16, 2012 @ 9:51 pm | delete

Great video, and a great topic.
I just lost a five week old grand daughter and this lens hit close to home...
A Like and A Share and A Blessing by big Joe.

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SecondHandJoe Jan 12, 2012 @ 1:08 pm | delete

New Orleans always had the right idea. I do both though mourn. . . then celebrate! Loved the videos and the article!