How to Plan a Celebration of Life if No Instructions Were Given

When a loved one passes without leaving instructions, it can be very difficult for those left behind to know where to start or what to deal with. It can make the grieving process more difficult, which is why we advocate for advanced planning, but you find yourself in this situation, here are some ways you can plan a celebration of life when no instructions were given:

Think of Their Personality

Consider who they were as a person, were they outgoing or did they like routine? Were they religious, did they have specific hobbies or were they academic? Did they have any associations or achievements to be mentioned? Considering their personality will help you make decisions about venue, themes and who to invite or what to say.

Use Your Memories

Your memories are unique and a celebration of life focuses on this and the positive experiences shared with others. Make this the focal point of the celebration and ask others to share their memories too. You can include memory displays or a scrapbook, with interesting photos or stories to share.

Try Not To Worry

The main worry is always whether you have done something they would have liked or if you would have done them proud, but as long as you put thought into it, you can only do your best. Don’t forget if they were completely set on a specific avenue of celebration then they would have had it written or given instructions.

Include Others

You may find that including the deceased’s other friends and family could offer more insight into what they might want, as they could have discussed it rather than written it down. Also, including others can help minimize the stress while allocating different jobs.

If you need help planning a celebration of life, visit our website or contact a member of the team who will be able to deal with any enquiries.