Celebrations of life can be experiential memorials that have the ability to reflect the joy that a loved one brought to others. Families might choose to plan a celebration of life over a traditional, somber funeral because the uplifting nature of the memorial is more personalized to the personality, interests, and identity of their loved one. And in moving the memorial outside of the traditional funeral home environment, families have the option to choose between celebration of life venues that fit the uniqueness of their loved one.
In this article, we provide four examples of celebration of life venues chosen by families who collaborated with Lighten. All of these can provide inspiration for choosing a unique location that directly reflects and celebrates the life of your loved one in a special way.
Chicago History Museum
Located in Chicago’s expansive Lincoln Park, the Chicago History Museum provided the perfect location for a memorial that celebrated the loved one’s life by way of an immersive exhibit. The exhibit featured photos, artwork, furniture, and other possessions that told the story of the loved one’s life. Guests could experience their loved one just as if they were walking through a museum. In addition, in the venue’s banquet area, the loved one’s favorite foods were served, adding a special touch that made guests feel closer to the loved one. Finally, an intimate gathering of those closest to the loved one took place in the park preceding the opening of the exhibit. Between the museum, banquet area, and park, this celebration of life helped encapsulate a life well lived.
Halim Time & Glass Museum
The Halim Time & Glass Museum offers rooms, galleries, and a rooftop garden that surround guests with a visually stunning atmosphere, making the venue well-suited to the celebration of an artist’s life. She was known for painting rocks with fun designs and inspirational phrases, then placing them around her neighborhood. They were called “Random Rocks of Kindness.” So, for the memorial, the family honored her legacy by providing each guest with a kit to paint their own rocks and continue the tradition. Choosing a celebration of life venue and keepsake that reflected the talent and identity she had as an artist helped guests honor their loved one in a unique and personalized way.
Frankie’s Blue Room
Frankie’s Blue Room houses three exciting clubs and a lively rooftop patio in one location, situated on Naperville, Illinois’ river walk. Lighten collaborated with the mother of the loved one, who wanted to honor her son’s love for jazz and his talent as a saxophonist. The memorial ceremony included family, friends, and teachers sharing tributes to his life and talent as a musician. Additionally, his former bandmates played musical tributes in his honor – including a sax solo, keyboard solo, and a sax/keyboard duet. Songs played included John Coltrane’s “Say It (Over and Over Again)” and Nat King Cole’s “Smile.” The traditional funeral home did not feel like the right place to honor his life, but Frankie’s Blue Room provided a meaningful and personalized backdrop to his memorial.
The Davis Theater
The big screen at The Davis Theater provides a fitting space for the celebration of a larger-than-life personality. Lighten collaborated with both the family of the loved one and The Davis Theater to orchestrate a red carpet entrance, setting the tone and welcoming guests to a memorial as impactful as the loved one’s legacy. The theatrical location of this memorial ceremony allowed guests to sit back, relax, and experience a breathtaking tribute to their loved one’s wonderful life through tributes from friends and family and a montage of photos.
Celebration of Life venues can be as far out of the box as you would like them to be. Or they can be familiar locations, like in a park or at home, that are direct reflections of places your loved one found special. The celebrations of life venues you feel would best represent your loved one’s unique legacy are out there. If you would like help finding one, collaborate with Lighten.
