A Celebration of Life vs. Funerals

By: Tom Gallagher
Friday, August 10, 2018

People have different ways to honor the passing of their loved ones, depending on tradition and preference. Funerals, memorial services, a celebration of life, wakes etc. provide people with closure and offer them a medium to say their final goodbye to their loved one. However, many individuals struggle during the planning process of deciding what option is right for them. At Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home, we have helped plan many different types of services and have some pointers to help you decide what is best for you and your family. Here are a few differences between a celebration of life and a funeral:

Funeral- What is it?

A funeral is a formal goodbye to the deceased. The process is often religious and there isn’t much room for customization as it is a structured ceremony. Funerals typically take place prior to the burial or cremation. This is done so that the body of the departed individual is present.

A Celebration Of Life- What Is It?

This is another practice to say goodbye to the loved one. Rather than having a formal ceremony, a celebration of life is a get-together that has a much more casual atmosphere. The main difference between a funeral and a celebration of life is the lack of the deceased’s body. The body is buried or cremated prior to the service. There are no religious processes to go about and it is less formal and structured than a funeral service.

How Do They Differ From One Another?

A celebration of life gives people a chance to mourn the deceased but also focuses on the positive aspects of the life they lived. Loved ones speak of their experiences with the deceased and spend time sharing memories. It has a much more relaxed atmosphere and is even happy to a certain degree. Unlike funerals, a celebration of life can be held weeks or months after the loved one has passed away.

If you need assistance on funeral-related matters or want to know more about our services here at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home, contact us or give us a call at 318-640-1375 today.

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