Funeral or Celebration of Life: What’s Right for Your Loved One?

By: VGFS
Friday, May 20, 2022

There are many ways to honor a loved one’s passing.

From traditional funerals to festive celebrations of life, there is a service that allows you to pay tribute to the departed in just the right way. But what is the right choice for you and your family? Each type of farewell offers unique benefits.

To help you understand the differences between these services, we have created the following guide so you can make the most informed decision for your needs.

A different approach with the same underlying goal

Funerals and celebrations of life have much in common but they differ in their execution. Funerals are rooted in tradition while life celebrations reflect recent changes in social values. But ultimately, both ceremonies honor the life and memory of the departed. In addition, they both serve to support the bereaved and aid in the healing process.

Funeral basics

In the U.S., the most common funerary ceremony is the traditional funeral. It is usually held at a place of worship, funeral home, or some other meaningful location. Traditional funerals range from deeply religious to secular and often fall somewhere in between. They can be simple or elaborate affairs but the tone is always reverent. Traditional funerals generally include some or all of the following elements:

  • The visitation, or wake, gives guests the opportunity to pay their respects to the deceased and spend time with the family. The body is typically displayed in a casket (which may be open or closed. Visitation usually takes place the day of or the day before the funeral ceremony. 
  • The funeral service, or ceremony, is at the heart of a traditional funeral. Attendees gather to listen to readings from religious or literary works, give eulogies about the departed, and often participate in prayer.
  • There may be a committal service, during which the body is buried. A small number of guests, often just family members, attend the graveside burial. 
  • The reception is the last step of the traditional funeral. Following the committal ceremony, guests are often invited to a family member’s residence, to a special location at the funeral home, or to a restaurant to reminisce and share a meal. 

About celebrations of life

These services are usually casual and loosely structured. The general atmosphere is relaxed and even festive, with guests attending to rejoice in a life well-lived. A celebration of life may or may not include elements from a traditional funeral service, such as a viewing of the body or visitation, although the choice is entirely up to you. Here are some primary things to note:

  • These ceremonies are often personalized to reflect the preferences of the departed. They may include lively music, activities, favorite delicacies, special attire, and more.
  • Celebrations of life can take place at any time, providing more time for planning and more flexibility for guests.
  • The body of the deceased is typically not present. If they were cremated, however, an urn containing their ashes may be present.
  • These ceremonies are typically not held at a funeral home. Instead, the setting is often at a location that was meaningful to the departed, such as a house of worship, family home, park, beach, or restaurant.
  • Even though celebration of life ceremonies are more relaxed, the etiquette rules for funerals still apply. Lateness, disrespectful remarks, and boisterous behavior are not appropriate.

What’s right for your loved one?

If you had discussions with the departed about their memorial preferences, you may already know what kind of service to arrange. Or perhaps they said something along the lines of, “I want people to have a party when I’m gone.” In this case, a celebration of life would be appropriate. You could feature your loved one’s favorite foods, music, and activities. On the other hand, if your loved one tends to be traditional and religion was important to them, perhaps a funeral would be a better choice. If important to note that both celebrations of life ceremonies and funerals can be held successfully even if you are on a tight budget. Your funeral director will help you craft the perfect tribute to your departed loved one.

When choosing between a celebration of life ceremony and a funeral, it’s important to remember that neither choice is wrong. Honoring the departed and bringing your family and friends together is an act of love that will be crucial for your healing process.

Funerals and celebrations of life offer comfort and help the bereaved process their grief.  If you have questions or need to make end-of-life arrangements, the compassionate professionals at Vaughn Greene Funeral Services are here to assist you. Please contact us anytime. 

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 25 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved ones. For more information about our funeral, cremation, memorial, and repast services, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Returning to Work After a Loved One Passes: Eight Helpful Coping Strategies

When you are returning to work after a loved one passes away, it can be an emotional journey filled with uncertainty. If the prospect of heading back to your workplace after loss feels overwhelmin...

How Should You Choose the Day and Time of the Funeral?

When bidding farewell to a cherished family member or friend, one of the most significant decisions you’ll face is selecting the appropriate day and time of the funeral. Amid the emotional challen...

Celebrating National Alcohol & Drug Recovery Month

This September we celebrate National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Starting in 1989, National Recovery Month was coined to promote and support evidence-based treatment and recovery...

Do You Know the Signs of Dehydration? Seven Sneaky Symptoms That Might Surprise You

We pay close attention to the signs of dehydration we've grown accustomed to, but these less-apparent indictors are just as important. We all know staying hydrated is critical for good health, esp...

Planning Your Own Funeral? Here's Why That's a Smart Way to Go

Planning your funeral is an act of compassion that alleviates the stress on your family, allowing them to focus on healing and cherishing your memory. There are few things in life as poignant as c...

The AFRO Honors Morticians as Unsung Heroes

The AFRO honored the “Unsung Heroes” of the COVID-19 pandemic at Valley Mansion by Martin’s on Aug. 6. At a special event earlier this month, the media company commended morticians for their...

Seven Important Considerations When Making Funeral Decisions for a Departed Loved One

Making funeral decisions can be challenging, but it also offers an opportunity to celebrate the life of your loved one. Saying goodbye to a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences any f...

August is Black-Owned Business Month: We Celebrate With You

During August, we celebrate and recognize Black Business Month and the invaluable contributions generations of Black Americans have made in our communities, economy, and world. The forward momentu...

Seven Lesser-Known Signs of Dementia that Might Surprise You

While most people are aware of its familiar symptoms like memory loss, there are lesser-known signs of dementia that can be just as important. Dementia is a condition that affects millions of indi...

Wondering What to Bring to a Funeral or Celebration of Life?

While sympathy cards or floral arrangements are customary, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to what to bring to a funeral, memorial, or life celebration. While our presence at a funera...