A celebration of life service is a wonderful way to recognize the memory of a loved one who has passed. Unlike a traditional funeral, a celebration of life focuses on remembering the joys, accomplishments, and legacy of a life well-lived. The tone is more upbeat and the purpose is to celebrate rather than to mourn.
When planning a celebration of life service, many people wonder what kinds of sayings, quotes, and messages are appropriate to include in the speeches, tribute videos, invitations, and other elements. The key is to choose sayings that capture the personality and spirit of your loved one.
Here are some popular types of celebration of life sayings with examples of each:
Inspiring Quotes About Life
Inspiring quotes about life, love, courage, and following your dreams are perfect for celebrating someone who lived life to the fullest. Some examples:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." - Vivian Greene
"Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it." - Nicholas Sparks
"She believed she could, so she did." - R.S. Grey
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." - Helen Keller
Comforting Spiritual/Religious Sayings
For those with spiritual or religious beliefs, including comforting sayings from Scripture or other religious texts can bring peace and hope. Some popular options:
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." - Matthew 5:4
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1
"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." - Psalm 23:6
"We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8
"What is lovely never dies, but passes into other loveliness." - Thomas Bailey Aldrich
Uplifting Poetry Excerpts
Poetry has a special way of expressing the inexpressible. Short, uplifting excerpts from classic or modern poems can add beauty and meaning to a celebration of life. Some ideas:
*"Do not stand at my grave and weep, *
* I am not there, I do not sleep."* - Mary Elizabeth Frye
“There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning." - Thornton Wilder
*"Let me go where'er I will *
* I hear a sky-born music still: *
* It sounds from all things old, *
* It sounds from all things young, *
* From all that's fair, from all that's foul, *
* Peals out a cheerful song."* - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation." - Rumi
*"Death is nothing at all. *
* It does not count. *
* I have only slipped away into the next room."* - Henry Scott Holland
Funny Quotes & One-Liners
Including some lighthearted humor, especially sayings the deceased was known for, can help make a celebration of life highly personal. As long as it's done tastefully, laughter through the tears is a great thing. For example:
"I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Woody Allen
"Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain "Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die." - Joe Louis
"It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss
Optimistic Sayings About Death
Comforting, hopeful quotes about death and the afterlife help provide a sense of peace and eternal perspective. Some popular sayings:
"The song is ended but the melody lingers on." - Irving Berlin
"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart." - Mahatma Gandhi
"A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again." - Maya Angelou
"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell
"Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories." - Ronald Reagan
Celebration of Life Invitation Wording Ideas
When creating celebration of life invitations, choose wording that sets a tone of love and joyful remembrance. Some examples:
Please join us for a celebration of the life of [Name]
A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.
[Name]: A Celebration of Life
Please join us in honoring a life well-lived
With tributes, music & refreshments
The World Has Lost a Gem
Please join us to celebrate the beautiful life of [Name]
Gone from our sight but never from our hearts
Together we will laugh and cry
As we share our favorite memories of [Name]
A life that touched so many
Please join us in celebrating all that [he/she] meant to us
How to Give a Celebration of Life Speech
Giving a speech at a celebration of life can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips:
1. Share happy memories and funny stories. Focus on capturing the person's spirit.
2. Don't be afraid to show emotion. Laughter and tears are both more than okay.
3. Include their favorite sayings, songs, hobbies, phrases, etc. Make it personal.
4. Talk about the impact they had on you and others. How did they change your life?
5. Keep it relatively brief, around 3-5 minutes. Write it out but speak from the heart.
Remember, this is a celebration of a beautiful life. Speak with love, gratitude, and even humor. If you get choked up, that's okay - it means you were lucky enough to know someone special.
Key Takeaways
- Celebration of life sayings should focus on remembrance, joy, hope, and capturing the unique spirit of the deceased.
- Inspiring life quotes, comforting spiritual/religious sayings, beautiful poetry excerpts, funny one-liners, and hopeful quotes about death are all great options.
- When wording celebration of life invitations, aim to set an uplifting tone of honoring a life well-lived.
- Speeches at a celebration of life can include happy memories, funny stories, favorite sayings, and heartfelt words on the impact they made. Emotion is expected and encouraged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between a funeral and a celebration of life?
A: A funeral is typically a somber event focused on mourning a loss, while a celebration of life is more upbeat and focused on joyful remembrance. But there are no hard and fast rules.
Q: Who usually speaks at a celebration of life?
A: Family members, close friends, colleagues - anyone who was close to the deceased and wants to share memories. There can be multiple speakers.
Q: Is humor appropriate for a celebration of life?
A: Absolutely! Funny stories and laughter are a wonderful way to remember someone. Just keep the overall tone tasteful and loving.
Q: Should we have the celebration of life right away or wait?
A: It varies based on the family's preferences. Some have it within a week or two of the death, while others wait a month or more. There's no right timeline.
Q: Can we have a celebration of life even years after the death?
A: Definitely. Some people choose to have a celebration of life on a special anniversary each year, such as their birthday, as an ongoing tradition.
Whenever and however you choose to have a celebration of life, the most important thing is taking the time to celebrate, honor, and remember the beautiful life of your loved one.
Ready to start planning a beautiful celebration of life? We can help you create the perfect invitations to set the tone for a joyful remembrance.
Design beautiful celebration of life invitations with FuneralFolio today.