Families face many questions and decisions when they plan a memorial or living celebration. They want to honor someone’s life in a way that feels personal and organized. They also need guests to know what will happen and feel part of the moment.

But what should you include in a celebration of life program? How do you know what to say at a celebration of life party? How do you prepare guests for the event?

A celebration of life program gives you that clarity. It guides the event, shares meaningful details, and creates a keepsake.

Not sure whether a cremation or a funeral is the right path? The team at After is here to guide you with transparency, care, and zero pressure. Call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427.

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What Is a Celebration of Life Program?

A celebration of life program is a printed or digital guide that outlines the schedule, speakers, and key moments of the event. The program helps guests understand what will happen and when. It also highlights stories, music, and tributes that reflect the honoree’s personality.

A celebration of life service differs from a funeral program in tone and structure. Funeral programs often follow set religious or cultural traditions. 

Celebration of life programs usually allow more flexibility and creativity. They focus on memories, achievements, and shared experiences rather than formal rituals.

You can create the program in several formats. Families often choose a printed booklet for detailed events, a single-page flyer for simplicity, or a digital version for easy sharing by email or social media.

Families use a celebration of life program in two main settings. A memorial celebration takes place after someone has passed. The program helps guests follow the schedule, understand the significance of each moment, and reflect on the honoree’s life.

A living celebration happens while the honoree is still alive. Families often hold these events when someone reaches a milestone, retires, or faces a serious illness. The program in this case helps guests share stories, express gratitude, and celebrate with the honoree present.

In both cases, the program guides the event smoothly and preserves memories in a lasting format.

What to Include in a Celebration of Life Program

A clear program makes the event more meaningful and easier for guests to follow. Include essential details that guide the flow and preserve memories.

• Cover page: Show the honoree’s name, photo, and birth and death dates or say “Honoring [Name]” for a living celebration.
• Order of service or events: List the sequence, such as welcome, readings, tributes, and closing remarks.
• Welcome message or poem: Include a short greeting or reading that sets the tone with some quotes.
• Musical selections: Add songs with personal meaning to the honoree or their loved ones.
• Speakers and tributes: List the people who will share stories, readings, or speeches.
• Closing words or benediction: Provide a final message to close the event respectfully.
• Acknowledgments and thanks: Thank attendees, contributors, or organizers for their support.
• Keepsake elements: Add photos, recipes, or personal notes that guests can keep as mementos.

This structure informs guests, keeps the event organized, and adds a personal touch that reflects the honoree’s life.

What To Say at a Celebration of Life

What you say at a celebration of life depends on the type of event. At a memorial, choose words that honor the person’s memory and acknowledge the loss.

Speak with warmth and sincerity. Share stories that highlight their values, achievements, and the way they touched others’ lives. At a living celebration, speak directly to the honoree. Focus on gratitude, shared moments, and the joy of being together.

Keep your message personal and clear. Use language that feels natural and conversational. Express appreciation for the time you had with the person. Share a favorite memory or reflect on a lesson they taught you. Invite others to share their own stories, whether during the event or afterward.

You can add depth by including a meaningful quote, a short piece of scripture, or a personal anecdote. Choose something that reflects the honoree’s personality and beliefs. The right words help create a sense of connection and give guests a shared moment to remember.

Example Celebration of Life Program (Memorial)

A memorial celebration of life program guides guests through the service and serves as a keepsake. The design should match the tone of the event and reflect the honoree’s personality.

Cover page

• Show the honoree’s full name.
• Add their birth and death dates.
• Include a clear, high-quality photo.
• Use theme colors or symbols with personal meaning, such as a favorite flower or hobby-related motif.

Inside pages

• Welcome message: Write a short greeting that sets the tone and thanks guests for attending.
• Order of service: List each part of the program in sequence.
• Opening music: Choose a song that was meaningful to the honoree or their family.
• Welcome remarks: Introduce the event, share its purpose, and acknowledge attendees.
• Reading or poem: Select words that reflect the honoree’s values or personality.
• First tribute: Invite a family member or close friend to share memories or stories.
• Slideshow with music: Display photos from different stages of the honoree’s life.
• Second tribute: Include another perspective, such as a colleague or community member.
• Closing remarks and thanks: Thank participants and invite guests to continue sharing stories.
• Reception invitation: Provide details if a gathering follows the service.

Additional elements

• Add a section with favorite recipes, quotes, or donation details.
• Include guestbook information so attendees can write messages for the family.

Example Celebration of Life Program: A Living Celebration

A living celebration program honors someone while they are present to share the moment. It should feel warm, personal, and engaging so guests can participate fully.

Cover page

• Use the title “Honoring [Name]: A Celebration of Life.”
• Add a current, high-quality photo of the honoree.
• Include a favorite quote or saying that reflects their outlook or personality.

Inside pages

These activities are just one example of a living celebration. Families may also include games, photo booths, hobby demonstrations, or group activities such as planting a tree, creating art together, or recording video messages.

• Welcome statement: Greet guests and explain the purpose of the gathering.
• Order of events: List activities in the order they will happen.
• Arrival and refreshments: Note when guests can mingle and enjoy food or drinks.
• Story-sharing circle: Invite guests to share personal memories or words of appreciation.
• Musical performance: Include live or recorded music with special meaning.
• Tribute speeches: Feature remarks from close friends, family, or colleagues.
• Group toast: Raise a glass to honor the honoree’s life and achievements.
• Closing remarks: Thank guests and share any final thoughts or announcements.

Keepsake elements

• Provide space for guest notes or messages to the honoree.
• Add a QR code linking to videos, photos, or a digital memory book.

Ideas for Personalizing a Celebration of Life Program

Personal touches make a celebration of life program feel unique and memorable. Start by choosing a theme that reflects the honoree’s hobbies, career, or passions. A garden motif can honor a lifelong gardener, while a map design can reflect a love of travel.

Use the honoree’s favorite colors, flowers, or symbols throughout the program. Repeat them in headings, borders, or small graphic elements to create a cohesive look.

Add personal stories or short “Did you know?” facts that give guests a deeper connection to the honoree. Include captions for photos so people can identify moments, places, and faces.

Incorporate QR codes that link to photo albums, tribute videos, or playlists. Label them clearly so guests know what they’ll find, and test each code before printing.

Think about the keepsakes your guests can take home. A bookmark with a favorite quote, a folded card with the order of service, or a digital file shared after the event can all make the memories last.

Match the tone to the type of event. Use warm, gentle language for memorials and celebratory wording for living celebrations.

Celebration of Life Program Templates & Tools

Templates and design tools can make creating a program faster and easier.

• Online template platforms: Canva, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Adobe Express offer ready-made designs. Search for “celebration of life program” and customize with your own photos, colors, and text.
  
  
• Design tips: Keep fonts simple and readable. Use one style for headings and one for the rest of the text. Choose high-resolution images so they print clearly.
  
  
• Printing options: You can print at home, use a local print shop, or order online. Common sizes include 5×7, single-fold letter size, or trifold. Pick a sturdy paper with a matte finish for a polished feel.
  
  
• Proof before printing: Double-check names, dates, and spellings. Print one copy to see how colors and layout look in real life.
  
  
• Digital delivery: Create a PDF version for guests who can’t attend in person. Keep the file small enough to share by email, and consider adding a QR code in the printed program that links to it.

Celebration of Life Open House Format

An open house celebration of life is a more relaxed alternative to a structured service. Guests can arrive and leave within a set time window instead of following a fixed schedule.

This format works well for larger gatherings, casual settings, or events where guests may be traveling from different places. It also gives people more space and time to connect in smaller groups.

Set up display stations with photos, keepsakes, and memorabilia that reflect different parts of the honoree’s life. You can dedicate each table or area to a specific theme. This could include their childhood, career, hobbies, or family milestones. It gives guests a chance to browse at their own pace.

Offer refreshments or themed food that has personal meaning. This could be the honoree’s favorite dishes, a dessert table, or a drink station with signature beverages.

Play music that the honoree loved, either through a curated playlist or live musicians. Keep the volume low enough to encourage conversation.

You can also add optional scheduled moments, like a short welcome, a toast, or a group photo. Let guests know when these will happen so they can join in if they wish, while still keeping the event’s flow open and flexible.

How Long Should a Celebration of Life Be?

The length of a celebration of life depends on the format and activities you plan. Structured memorials or funerals often last between one and two hours, with 90 minutes as a common sweet spot.

Many families follow the service with a reception, which can add another hour for food, conversation, and informal sharing.

Living celebrations often work well as an open-house style gathering. In this format, guests can come and go over three to four hours, spending as much time as they wish. This allows for more mingling, relaxed conversations, and activities spread throughout the event.

Whatever format you choose, build in time for informal connection.

Guests may want to share personal stories, look through photos, or greet the family privately. Also consider the comfort of your guests. Think about seating, access to refreshments, and how far people may need to travel before or after the event.

Planning a Celebration of Life in Advance

Planning ahead gives you the time and space to create a celebration of life that feels thoughtful and personal. You can choose a location that suits your vision, schedule the event at a time that works for more guests, and prepare meaningful touches such as photo displays, music, or themed décor.

You can also reach out to friends and family who might want to speak, perform, or contribute in some way. It will surprise you how much people will want to be a part of celebrating the life of a deceased loved one.

Preplanning the cremation itself adds even more flexibility. Once cremation is complete, there’s no fixed deadline for holding the celebration, which means you can plan for a season, date, or venue that feels right rather than rushing.

You can take time to collect keepsakes, create a slideshow, or compile stories from friends and relatives.

It also helps with budgeting. When you plan in advance, you can compare options, set aside funds, and avoid making costly choices under pressure.

This approach reduces stress for loved ones, ensures the event reflects the honoree’s personality, and gives everyone more freedom to focus on honoring their life rather than managing urgent logistics.

Plan Ahead for a Personalized Celebration with After

While After does not organize celebration of life events or design celebration of life programs, we can handle the cremation arrangements that make those events possible.

Direct cremation gives families the flexibility to hold a memorial or a celebration of life whenever they’re ready. This extra time allows for better planning, more personalization, and easier coordination with guests who may need to travel.

Many cremation providers bundle their services with costly add-ons or require payment for elements you may not need. After takes a different approach.

Our transparent, prepaid cremation packages cover only what you choose, with clear pricing and no hidden fees. Arranging cremation in advance lets you lock in today’s rates and avoid rising costs. This makes the process simpler for loved ones when the time comes.

For cremation planning more than six months in advance, explore After’s prepaid cremation services or call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427 to learn more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Is a Celebration of Life Different from a Funeral Program?

A celebration of life is different from a funeral program because it focuses more on personal memories and shared stories than on formal traditions. Funeral programs often follow a set religious or cultural structure, while celebration of life programs allow more flexibility in tone, format, and activities.

What Should You Include in a Celebration of Life?

A celebration of life should include the honoree’s name, photos, and event details. Add an order of service or events, welcome message, musical selections, speakers, tributes, and closing remarks. You can also include acknowledgments, keepsake elements, and QR codes linking to videos or photo albums.

Can You Hold a Celebration of Life While the Person Is Alive?

You can hold a celebration of life while the person is alive. This is often called a living celebration and gives the honoree the chance to attend, hear stories, and spend time with loved ones.

Where Can I Find Memorial Templates?

You can find memorial templates on platforms like Canva, Microsoft Word, and Google Slides. These sites offer celebration of life order of service examples and designs you can customize with your own text, photos, and colors.

Can I Include Religious Elements in a Celebration of Life?

You can include religious elements in a celebration of life if they reflect the honoree’s beliefs. Many families add scripture readings, prayers, or hymns alongside personal stories and non-religious tributes.