Traditionally, funerals have been somber events with an emphasis on mourning. However, many people find that this traditional funeral model is not the right fit for their family or to mourn their loved ones. Funeral Homes in Bel Air are embracing the fact that people mourn in different ways and can help plan the right way to memorialize a loved one.
Differences Between Celebration of Life and Funeral
Feeling. One of the most significant differences between a celebration of life and a traditional funeral service is the tone. Celebrations of life have a party-like atmosphere and the people attending are expected to share positive and joyful experiences about the deceased. In contrast, funerals have a somber air and the emphasis is on mourning.
Location. While funerals are traditionally conducted in funeral homes, churches, or even graveyards, celebrations of life can be held in a wider variety of locations. That said, because of space requirements, a location like Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services might still provide a good venue for a celebration of life.
Content. Celebrations of life may have a different emphasis than funerals. They may not feature a casket or cremation and probably will not include a graveside service. They might still feature religious content, but the passages or songs chosen might have a different emphasis than a traditional funeral.
Dress. One of the biggest differences that an observer might notice is that the people at a celebration of life are usually dressed much more brightly and casually than people at a funeral. Depending on where the celebration is held, people may even be in jeans and other casual clothing.
A New Tradition, But Not a New Experience
While celebrations of life may seem unusual to Western people, they can trace their roots to more traditional aspects of mourning. Wakes often had the same party-like atmosphere as modern celebrations of life. Also, traditional post-funeral gatherings in people’s homes often captured similar experiences. The difference is that Funeral Homes in Bel Air are moving towards helping people capture this atmosphere for an entire memorial service. To learn more about the full range of memorial experiences, visit the website. Modern memorial services are customizable to match the expectations of the deceased and the needs of surviving loved ones.