An online gathering of friends and family to honor the life of a loved one can go by many names: virtual funerals, virtual memorials, or virtual celebrations of life. While these terms can be and often are used interchangeably, there may be slight differences in the connotation we place on each one. In this article, we will look at some of the characteristics typically associated with virtual funerals and virtual memorials, as well as how these two types of gatherings could possibly be one in the same. Finally, we will highlight a third term, virtual celebration of life, and how that type of gathering may be approached.
Virtual Funerals: Meanings and Characteristics
“Funeral” is one of the more common words used to describe a ceremony that pays tribute to a loved one’s life. A funeral typically carries the traditional connotation of gathering to mourn or reflect in a somber setting, and may also have a religious association. Therefore, virtual funerals may be planned as a direct reflection of their in-person counterpart. A virtual funeral can be a graceful online ceremony that includes elements such as the delivery of a traditional eulogy, religious readings or hymns, a ceremony officiant, and quiet moments of remembrance.
Some other characteristics of traditional funerals are that they are typically held soon after the passing of a loved one and are ceremonies that tie into the casket burial of our loved one. Similarly, virtual funerals may be planned within the immediate week(s) following a loved one’s passing and burial. Virtual funerals allow you to plan a gathering that stays true to and honors tradition in a way that makes it convenient for guests near and far to attend.
Virtual Memorials
Just as with virtual funerals, virtual memorials are a way to gather from anywhere to pay respect to our loved one’s life and legacy. The tone of a virtual memorial is left a little bit more open to whatever you decide would best honor your loved one’s unique identity. For example, if you feel your loved one would rather have an uplifting, optimistic theme throughout the ceremony rather than a more traditional environment in which to mourn, the elements that you choose to incorporate into the virtual memorial can reflect that. Like virtual funerals, virtual memorials can also include religious components as well, or any other elements that pay tribute to the personal customs and traditions of your loved one. And while virtual funerals may be more closely associated with a gathering that is held soon after a loved one’s passing, a virtual memorial can be planned weeks, months, or even years later. Some families opt for a date of significance, such as the loved one’s birthday or one-year death anniversary, on which to hold the virtual memorial. So, depending on your personal perception, virtual funerals and virtual memorials may be two terms that mean the same thing or express a slightly different break in how we traditionally approach honoring a loved one’s life.
Virtual Celebrations of Life
The term “celebration of life” is a relatively new term that reflects a more uplifting approach to memorializing a loved one. It is still true that virtual funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life can all be used interchangeably but there is a slightly different connotation to the latter term. Virtual celebrations of life can include elements that incorporate joy and humor into the ceremony. For example, Lighten has worked with families who included puppet shows and disco dance parties as a way of honoring the joys in their loved one’s life in a very personalized way. This resulted in a tone that was less about mourning a loss and more about celebrating the life their loved one lived.
In short, there is no definite difference between virtual funerals and virtual memorials, or even virtual celebrations of life. But the term you choose can help set the overall tone of the event and that tone can be a direct reflection of what your loved one may have wanted. If you are in the process of planning a virtual funeral, memorial, or celebration of life, Lighten can help.
