As more and more people begin to talk more openly about death, funerals are starting to look different. Instead of the solemn ceremonies most of us are used to, living funerals are becoming a more popular trend. That’s because they give family and friends the chance to say goodbye to their loved ones before they […]
As more and more people begin to talk more openly about death, funerals are starting to look different. Instead of the solemn ceremonies most of us are used to, living funerals are becoming a more popular trend. That’s because they give family and friends the chance to say goodbye to their loved ones before they die, while providing the person being celebrated the opportunity to reflect on their life surrounded by the people closest to them.
If you’ve never heard of a living funeral before, you’re not alone. We’ve created this blog post to explain more about pre-funeral ceremonies and why you might consider having one.
Living funerals – or pre-funeral ceremonies as they’re also known – are held for a living person who is aware of their impending death. They’re similar to traditional funerals; only the person being remembered is very much alive during the celebration.
While a pre-funeral ceremony isn’t the right choice for everyone, they offer those who know they’re going to die the chance to have a final celebration with their friends and family. Some people choose to have a living funeral because it ensures their final wishes are met. In many cases, instead of loved ones being responsible for funeral arrangements, the person being remembered has complete control – right down to the music, theme and dress code. But there’s also the benefit of having friends and family around to help plan the ceremony if you need support.
Having a funeral before the person dies takes the stress of paying for and arranging a funeral away from those left behind, giving them time and space to grieve for their loved one once they’re gone. Pre-funeral ceremonies can also provide friends and family with closure – particularly if their loved one has a terminal illness.
Some people take comfort in sharing memories and celebrating their loved one’s life while they’re still alive and well enough to enjoy their final send-off.
The idea of a living funeral first started in Japan in the mid-90s. Known as seizenso – which literally translates to “funeral while alive” – living funerals were born out of the idea that the younger generations were being burdened by the stress of planning their elders’ funerals.
But even though living funerals aren’t a new idea, they’ve recently been made more popular after comedian Dawn French reprised her popular role as The Vicar of Dibley to deliver a eulogy at her friend Kris Hallenga’s living funeral. According to an article in The Daily Express, Kris, who’s living with stage-four cancer, arranged her “FUNeral” so she could be “drunk on love and gratitude” while celebrating her life with her loved ones.
Planning a living funeral is similar to planning a party and is slightly easier than traditional funeral planning because you don’t need to worry about the burial, coffin or cremation. One of the first things to consider is the location of your living funeral. Here are some ideas:
There are also the finer elements of funeral planning to think about, such as:
Now that you know more about a living funeral, you might have some idea about whether a pre-funeral ceremony is the right choice for you or not. But whether you choose to have a living funeral or not, there are many advantages to pre-planning your funeral.
Not only does thinking ahead give you time to think about important decisions, but pre-planning means you can have the ceremony exactly as you want it. It can also relieve your loved ones from the burden of having to make difficult decisions once you’re gone. Find out more about the benefits in our guide to planning your funeral before you die.
