I bet you didn’t realise, but the UK funeral market is currently worth around £1 billion annually. Over 600,000 funerals take place each year. But how many of those are a typical traditional service? And how many are truly a celebration of life – a chance for family and friends to say goodbye in a uniquely personal way?
Choosing a celebration of life over a traditional funeral is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Debby Mayne at The Spruce describes the differences between a funeral and a celebration of life. With families always on the lookout to do ‘something a little different’, here are our 5 celebration of life ideas for a unique send off.
1. Celebration of life ideas: Themed Funerals
For something a bit different, why not celebrate someone’s life through a theme personal to them? Whether it’s Only Fools and Horses, fancy dress or a superhero theme, a themed funeral can lighten the mood. It brings out a characterful feeling too. It doesn’t have to mean full-on fancy dress. We attended a funeral a few years ago where the mourners wore Hawaiian shirts. Bright and colourful is a sure way to lift spirits on the day.
2. Celebration of life ideas: Live Stream The Funeral
With recent lockdown restrictions, attending funerals has been challenging. Elderly or shielded family and friends may not have been able to make it. Live streaming the funeral gives those people a chance to attend. So much of life has moved online – and this is genuinely beneficial. Whether you use Zoom, Facebook, Skype, or Vimeo, many crematoria already have the facility to arrange this. It’s worth asking your funeral director about the options.
3. Celebration of life ideas: Hire a Jazz Funeral Band
A New Orleans-style jazz funeral is a powerful way to celebrate a life. The music lifts the mood. It turns grief into gratitude. Silk Street Jazz have extensive experience of performing at funerals and celebrations of life. They bring sensitivity, style and substance to every occasion. A jazz procession, in particular, is a moving and joyful tribute that guests will never forget.
4. Celebration of life ideas: A Personalised Order of Service
A generic order of service can feel impersonal. Instead, personalise it with photographs, favourite quotes, or a poem that captures who the person was. Include a note about their passions, their humour, or their achievements. It becomes a keepsake that family and friends treasure for years.
5. Celebration of life ideas: A Unique Venue
Who says a celebration of life has to take place in a church or crematorium? Many families now choose a venue that meant something to the deceased. A favourite pub, a park, a sports ground, or even a beach. Silk Street Jazz can perform in all of these settings. Fully acoustic, totally mobile, and perfectly suited to intimate or large gatherings alike.
To discuss celebration of life entertainment with Silk Street Jazz, get in touch today.