Celebration of Life vs. Funerals

The end of life is a very complex journey that affects different people differently. Humans have been acknowledging or celebrating this event for thousands of years now. There are records of people organizing elaborate funerals for their loved ones for almost as long as humanity has existed.

At Wagg Funeral Home, we believe there’s no one way of saying goodbye to a loved one. Modern people have more options available to them than they realize. You can choose traditional funerals or try a celebration of life. Here’s a look at the differences between these two options:

The Presence of the Body

The deceased individual’s body is almost always present during traditional funeral ceremonies. People can view the body and say their final goodbye if needed. In some cases, the funerals are closed-casket so people can’t see the body but they know it is present. Celebration of life doesn’t have the body present and is often held several weeks or months after the death. It is a way for people to come together and celebrate the life of the loved one, turning their loss into something positive.

Religious and Non-Religious

Traditional funerals are often religious ceremonies that follow the guidelines provided by the sect’s authority. For example, a Catholic funeral follows the guidelines provided by the Catholic Church and such is funeral is hosted by a Catholic priest.

Celebration of life is usually not a religious ceremony. You can add some elements of religion into it but there’s no need to follow a strict guideline. It is hosted by a celebrant and is more casual. Family members will often play the deceased’s favorite music, share pictures, play videos, etc, during this event.

If you want to know about our funeral or memorial services, don’t hesitate to contact us at Wagg Funeral Home today and we’ll be happy to help.