Most funeral ceremonies follow a specific format. There are standard eulogies, hymns, and prayers which take place, and the service follows a very predictable pattern. The primary reason for conducting a funeral service is to provide the family members of the deceased some solace. However, a typical funeral service doesn't always serve this purpose, and most people go through the motions.

Many families are now looking for more meaningful ways of organizing a funeral service. This is where a celebration of life comes in. It is an atypical way of conducting a funeral, and family members find that it provides them much more comfort and solace compared to a traditional funeral service.

What Makes Celebration of Life Different From Standard Funeral Service?

Celebration of life is different from a funeral on many counts such as:

• The mood at the event is more celebratory rather than somber.
• It may be held at an indoor or outdoor location and not necessarily in a funeral home
• The process of the event is very different from a standard funeral
• The decedent’s body may or may not be present.
• It is a very informal event.
• Celebration of life events can be held at any point of time and not necessarily right after the death of the person.
• There are no religious connotations in a celebration of life
• A celebrant will manage the event, and no religious leader will be present.
• The idea of conducting a celebration of life is to honor the decedent, share fond memories and stories about the loved one
• You can hold this event in the manner you want without any specific agenda.
• There are no rules and no formal rituals that you need to adhere to, which allows you to focus on healing.

At Charles J. O'Shea Funeral Homes, we provide comprehensive funeral services and can help you with all aspects of the process. So if you have questions, don't hesitate to contact us.