A celebration of life can be anything you want it to be. Will it be a deeply reflective memorial service? Or will it be more akin to a birthday/wedding/anniversary celebration? As you gather unique memorial ideas, you may also begin to consider how the invitation itself will introduce the event. In this article, we hope to help you get started on crafting a celebration of life invitation that is as personalized as the event itself.
The “Customary” Celebration of Life Invitation
The customs surrounding traditional funeral planning typically dictate that invitations be somber announcements. And while there is no right or wrong way to approach the wording of a celebration of life invitation, we want you to know that it is okay for the invitation to resonate as uplifting. We also encourage families to keep personalization in mind throughout the entire planning process. In other words, how can the celebration of life invitation reflect the unique identity of the loved one being honored?
The Introduction
Bright, loving, celebratory, and joyous. These four words might describe the tone you choose to begin your celebration of life invitation. The simplest purpose of an introduction is to signal the type of event the recipient is being invited to. In planning a celebration of life – as opposed to a traditional funeral – the focus is often on honoring a life in an uplifting celebratory way, rather than emphasizing goodbyes and grief. A celebration of life invitation is your first opportunity to establish this lighter mood.
Tip: Set a celebratory tone by avoiding words with a somber connotation
Example Phrase: “We invite you to share stories, laugh, and smile in memory of…”
Tip: Include the loved one’s name early on in the first sentence to help start the invitation as one that is personalized to your loved one.
Example Phrase: “…brought so much joy to our lives that we ask you to gather and celebrate his/her/their life with us by sharing your favorite memories and joyful moments.”
Tip: Briefly talk about your loved one. This description can be an uplifting reflection of who they were to those who knew them best.
Example Phrase: “Not only was… known by many as the elementary school teacher with the 26-year-old tortoise, she was also acclaimed by her family as the maker of the best chicken pot pie, a master jigsaw puzzle-solver, and the family’s top Wii bowling player.”
Tip: Some invitees may receive a celebration of life invitation and not know what this event entails. Use this as an opportunity to communicate the purpose and desired environment of the gathering.
Example Phrase: “If you knew…, you know he brought life to every party. This celebration of life is meant to reflect the party he would have wanted his family and friends to enjoy.”
The Personalized Touches
The celebration of life invitation is a way to convey how this event will be customized to the life you are honoring.
Tip: Explain why this format was chosen as the best way to celebrate your loved one.
Example Phrase: “In honor of …’s life, we will be holding a celebratory backyard pizza party. There will be food selections from the local pizzerias she frequented for Friday dinner.
Tip: Set expectations for attendees to help establish the tone of your event.
Example Phrase: Please dress casually as we know…would have done. You can also take it a step further by sporting attire from any of his favorite Chicago sports teams.”
Tip: Choose meaningful photos of your loved one.
Example: Select photos that display the joyfulness and fullness of your loved one’s life. You may want to showcase photos from time periods and milestones throughout their life, such as photos of their youth, hobbies, wedding images, travel, and time with family and friends.
Completing your Celebration of Life Invitation
As you wrap up your invitation, be sure you include the event’s logistics such as date, time, and location. If you are providing the option to attend virtually, don’t forget to include a URL or joining info.
Finally, although it may seem like there are many details to include in your celebration of life invitation, the goal is to keep it brief. Instead of going into in-depth details about your loved one on the invitation, provide yourself the opportunity to share these memories at the celebration itself.
We hope to have provided you with inspiration and a starting point for crafting your celebration of life invitation. As you prepare a memorial and invitation personalized to your loved one, know that you are not alone in the process. Reach out to our Lighten team for guidance in planning a unique, joyful celebration of life.
