Ultimately, a Western funeral has traditionally revolved around a person’s death. Over generations, the American funeral model has evolved into its current form, carrying with it many traditions and rites. To better understand the etiquette surrounding celebration of life ceremonies, let’s explore the intricacies of both kinds of events - their traditions, atmosphere, and etiquette.

While both a funeral and a celebration of life have similar purposes, they achieve them in different ways - one ceremony is rooted in centuries of tradition, and the other one reflects current societal shifts and changes.

They signify a movement of the deceased from one social status to another.

They help the grieving family and their community publicly acknowledge and mourn the death of a loved one.

They support the bereaved family by surrounding them with caring friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

In many ways, funerals and celebration of life ceremonies are very much the same - they are services held to honor someone who has died, and they are attended by people who share a common loss.īoth types of ceremonies achieve three things: The Difference Between Funerals and Celebration of Life Ceremonies However, before we explore specific etiquette, we must have a full understanding of what a celebration of life ceremony is and how it differs from traditional funeral services. We’ve created this guide to help you navigate a celebration of life ceremony and choose the right gift to show your love and support. If you are invited to a celebration of life ceremony, you might be unsure of the proper etiquette - how do you properly express your condolences? Flower arrangements are common gifts of sympathy brought to funerals, but does the same rule apply to celebrations of life? While some celebration ceremonies follow the tradition of memorial services, others take the form of casual parties or gatherings. Unlike traditional funerals, celebrations of life have no set rituals or etiquettes - they vary depending on the family and the person being honored.

One of the latest evolutions of the funeral is a celebration of life ceremony.

However, the exact expression of this honoring and support has taken many different forms over time and across cultures. In times of grief, a community gathers around a bereaved family, offering their support and helping to honor the life of the one they have lost. Whether through end of life rites, funeral services or celebration of life ceremonies, honoring the memory of deceased loved ones is an integral part of all cultures.

Celebration of life