What To Say At A Celebration Of Life Service

When thinking about what to say to family and friends of a deceased person, try to be thoughtful, sensitive and positive. It does help to express your feelings more naturally, when the focus is on honoring and celebrating the positive aspects of a loved one’s life. It also helps when the setting reflects who the deceased truly was, so that family and guests can feel somewhat more relaxed.

If you find yourself at a loss for words, here are some uplifting and positive quotes that you might consider saying to the family:

1. "Daniel was such an inspiration to me. I feel lucky to have been a part of his life."

2. "I'm so grateful to have known Rhonda. Her joy and passion for life was truly infectious. She would love this celebration of her life!"

3. "I can only imagine how proud you must be of your father. Jakob’s legacy will certainly live on."

4. "Fred had a way of making everyone feel special. I’m so glad I had the chance to experience that magic."

5. "We are all better people for having known Gerri. Her  positive impact on those around them was truly remarkable."

6. "Dave always brightened up any room. We'll carry that light with us always."

7. "I'll never forget Trent's incredible sense of humor. He made the world a happier place, and for that, I am forever thankful. I hope we do him proud today"

8. "It's hard not to smile when I think about all the good times, we've all had with Carol. She left us with so many happy memories to cherish."

It’s not easy to navigate your way through a funeral service, especially when you cannot predict how someone will respond with their emotions. Even the best intentions can sometimes be misunderstood and certain phrases or remre are eight examples of what you might want to avoid saying to the family:

1. "At least they lived a long life." — This statement may diminish the family's grief, making it seem like they should be less sad because of the deceased's age.

2. "They're in a better place now." — Although this may seem comforting, it can be problematic if it doesn't align with the family's religious or spiritual beliefs.

3. "I know how you feel." — Grief is a personal experience, and assuming you know how someone feels may come across as presumptuous.

4. "Everything happens for a reason." — The grieving family might not appreciate the analytical insights at this time. 

5. "Well, we're all going to die someday." — While this is a fact of life, mentioning it in this context can be perceived as dismissive of the family's unique pain and loss.

6. "At least they're not suffering anymore." — Even if this is true, the family is still suffering from their loss, and the phrase might not bring the comfort you intend.

7. "What was the cause of death?" — Unless the family brings it up, this question can be intrusive and is generally not appropriate to ask.

8. "Time heals all wounds." — Although meant to be reassuring, this saying might not be comforting to hear when the pain is fresh and raw.arks can result in hurt or offense. When attending a Celebration of Life service, he

Knowing what to say at a Celebration of Life ceremony can seem tricky but it’s actually easier than you realise. It also helps to be yourself. An opening sentence for a Celebration of Life speech sets the tone for the tribute you're about to give. It's an opportunity to capture the essence of the person being honored and to connect with the emotions of the audience. We’ve come up with ten examples of opening sentences that will help you:

1. "Good [morning/afternoon/evening] all! You know, [Name] had a saying: 'Don't count the days, make the days count.' We're here to celebrate just how well [Name] did that."

2. "Hey everyone, if there's one thing [Name] taught us, it's how to enjoy life—so let's do [Name] proud today!" 

3. "Thanks for coming, everyone. [Name] would absolutely love this—good people, great stories, and a whole lot of love in one place."

4. "Hi there, folks! You know, [Name] never missed a party—so let's make sure this is one [Name] will be smiling down on."

5. "Hey, everybody! If we're going to celebrate [Name]'s life, let's do it the way [Name] lived—full of joy and zero regrets."

6. "We're all here because [Name] touched our lives in some way, and I say we toast to the amazing times we were lucky enough to share together."

7. "What’s up, everyone! You know [Name] always said, 'Life's too short for sadness.' So today, let's remember all the happy times and share some laughs."

8. "Welcome, everyone! [Name] was the first to say that a day without laughter is a day wasted, so let's not waste today."

9. "Hey all, we’re not here because [Name]'s life ended, but because it was so beautifully lived. Let's celebrate that!"

10. 10. "Hello, friends and family! [Name] sure knew how to light up a room, so let's keep that light shining today as we celebrate all the amazing moments, we had together."

A Celebration of Life event can be both joyful and sad, so here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when preparing your speech.

Thank Everyone for Coming

You can begin by expressing a word of thanks to the attendees for being there to celebrate the life of the person who has passed.

Mention Their Life Story

It’s meaningful when you provide a short bio that highlights significant milestones, achievements, or struggles that the deceased overcame.

Share Personal Stories

Personal anecdotes can make your speech relatable and touching. Choose stories that epitomize the person's character or their impact on your life.

Talk About Their Family

Mention close family members and their relationship with the deceased. This helps to acknowledge the depth of their relationships and loss.

Talk About Their Positive Traits and Passions

Share attributes that made the deceased unique. Were they compassionate, adventurous, or extraordinarily kind? What were their passions or hobbies?

Say Something Uplifting

Remember in a Celebration of Life speech, the focus is on celebrating the loved one’s life. So, in the spirit of a celebration, include uplifting messages or lessons learned from the deceased that attendees can take away.

Talk About Their Legacy

Everyone leaves some kind of legacy or story behind. Think about what the deceased is leaving behind - whether it's a loving family, a successful business, or a charitable cause. Highlight it.

Meaningful Quotes & Poems

A well chosen quote or a memorial poem can capture the essence of the deceased and add a touch of literary beauty to your 

speech.

Add Some Humor

Humour has a wonderful way of breaking the ice, even at funerals. If appropriate and consistent with the person's character, a light-hearted story or joke can ease tension and bring smiles.

Include a Closing Remark

You can end by summarizing the person’s impact and thanking everyone again for their presence. A final, poignant quote can also be powerful.