Both a funeral and celebration of life services serve as a way for families to acknowledge the passing of a loved one and say goodbye. Although, there are also many contrasts between the two ceremonies which commonly leads a family to have preference over one.
A traditional funeral strictly follows common rituals and customs, and is usually a more structured ceremony. Typically, it has four main parts: the visitation, the funeral service, the committal service, and the funeral reception. For those looking for a sense of spirituality, religion, or tradition, we suggest holding a traditional funeral service rather than a celebration of life.
There is more freedom in the planning process when choosing a celebration of life service. Essentially, this type of ceremony can include whatever you think is appropriate to represent and honor your loved one. The purpose of this service is to showcase the story of your loved one’s life and celebrate what made them unique and special.
In most cases, a celebration of life ceremony is held after the body has already been cared for. This allows you and your family more time to come together and plan a service that includes input from everyone. It is common for families to hold a celebration of life weeks or even months after their loved one has been cared for. This flexibility ensures you can schedule for a date that allows all family and friends to attend. On the other hand, a traditional funeral generally takes place a couple days after death for the specific purpose of burial and a graveside ceremony.