I'm new to this board, but it seems you really do have a variety of topics here, so guess I will try it out.

My husband passed away quite suddenly just before Christmas. It was practically impossible to have a service at that time. It was just a few days before Christmas & here in Colorado, we were having horrible weather every weekend, where people were stranded because of road conditions.

Since he was cremated, there wasn't the urgency to have a service. I didn't want a traditional "funeral" kind of service. More of a celebration of life, where people come & talk & reminise about him & their connection to him. I've only been to one service like this & it was very nice, but I don't want to just copy everything the other family did. I had the opportunity recently to go to another celebration of life service, but had a previous commitment that was not breakable.

Have any of you planned or attended a celebration of life service? I'm looking for ideas. My husband was not a religious person, so he didn't have a family pastor. The father of one of our daughter's friends is a minister & I plan to have him do some small part. When my mother-in-law passed away, my husband's nephew gave a wonderful eulogy. I'm hoping he will give a eulogy, but not sure if he will be able to come as he lives out of state.

His birthday would have been in August, as well as our 32nd wedding anniversary. I want to have the service in August as that will be a time when I will be having a tough time & would like our friends & family around.

His niece recently painted a portrait of him from a photograph. I plan to use that on the little folder with his dates of birth/death, etc.

I would welcome any ideas you might have or might have seen at other services. I know many people are getting away from the old regular funerals. Thanks

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I have never attended such a service so I am unable to offer any personal input but I am sure someone will be along shortly to help out.

M

I am sorry for your loss. I think the celebration of life service is a wonderful idea and really will help you with the anniversary dates.
At the service for my Dad, one of the sisters had put together a photo album of pictures from over the years. And my brother read a poem that had been my Dad's favorite. People were encouraged to "tell stories" about my Dad and what he was to them. There were friends, neighbors, coworkers, hunting buddies, you name it in attendance. It was good knowing he had touched a lot of lives.
Just make it something you know he would have enjoyed and it will be fine.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

I am so sorry for your loss. Do what is comfortable for you and what you NEED to do for yourself. Creating a slide show with background music that your DH favored would be great to have running in the background. Since it will be months since his death, people might feel more inclined to speak. Often when a death is so sudden, people are not prepared or comfortable enough to get up and share. I think having a gathering at this time would be easier for all.....not easy, but easier.

Once again, please accept my condolences.

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"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

When my father passed away we spent a few ours making a scrapbook of his life together. It was a wonderful time with many family members working together on this at my mom's table. We had so much fun laughing and reminiscing about each picture and getting to hear the details from everyone on what they remembered. We journaled all that into the scrapbook. Then we took the scrapbook to the memorial service and passed it around for everyone to enjoy. We left several blank pages at the back of the book for them to leave a small memory of my father. This is now one of our most cherised family possessions!

I've never been to one but wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for you loss. That had to be hard.

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

I am so sorry for your loss.

My mother in law had the type of memorial that you are taking about. She had cancer and knew that she was going to be passing away. She told everyone what she did and did not want. We had a table with her pictures on it and photo albums. Then friends and family spoke about her and their memories. You might be able to do a slide show also.

Darlene

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

I am sorry for your loss, I have never been to a service like this. What do you think your husband would want? What would you like to do?

First, you have my deepest sympathies.

I commend you on your efforts and I believe whatever you choose will be beautiful and the sentiment behind is as beautiful as you are! Your post touched me. Every word you wrote was about everyone else besides you. You want it to be honorable for your husband and you want it to be comforting and loving for friends and family. Often times people choose a service that 'they' want verses what their loved ones want. I sincerely think what ever you choose will be fine, you're clearly thinking with your heart and that's so special!

Now, recently, I had a conversation with my mother on how she wanted her service to be when she passes. She has said that she wants her life celebrated and no 'funeral' type stuff. She loves the outdoors and she loves to socialize. So, she wants me to have an outdoor celebration. She wants me to set up a bar with beer & mixed drinks, have a barbecue, balloons, decorations, etc and just let everyone mix and mingle and have a 'good time' on her! Remembering her life and how good it was to her. And this is what I will do for her. At first, I was 'unsure' about her request, but have come to realize it's what she wants and it's really how death should be, a celebration, not a mourning!

However, I did go to a service at a chapel that was a celebration of life. You entered the chapel where there where pictures everywhere of the deceased, her family, her friends, etc. A small elegant eulogy was given and then everyone was asked to tell a memory. People held hands, talked with each other and it was all so comforting. A slide show with music was done while everyone did their own thing. Nothing really "formal". It was beautiful.

I know that I really didn't offer much, but wanted to contribute what I could. Keep us posted on what you choose. I am sure it will be beautiful!

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email is moserlara@yahoo.com

I , too, was thinking of a slide show, or a power point presentation. I have not been to one like you are talking about, but, I would suggest the above points as well, and as for food, I would have the foods your DH liked.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

We just had one for my Grandmother. She was very active in the Moose lodge, so my parents decided that we would have a luncheon there. We had a table set up with old photos of her from every age and her favorite flowers on every table. it went from noon to 4 - served lunch at 1:30 (buffet styule). Right before lunch we had someone get up and say a prayer, and then one of my 2nd cousins got up and said some nice things about my Grandmother and went over a little family history (legacy) which was very interesting. People were left to mill around and talk to each other. It turned out very nice...