Posts Tagged ‘Living Funeral’
Inspiring details from Kris Hallenga’s Living Funeral
When Kris Hallenga, founder of breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel!, decided to plan her own living funeral, she transformed the concept into something extraordinary – a “FUNeral” that celebrated life in all its vibrant glory. After living with terminal cancer for 15 years and attending numerous funerals, Kris was inspired to create a joyful celebration she could actually attend, turning the traditional concept of a funeral into an unforgettable party filled with music, laughter, and love. Who is Kris Hallenga Kris Hallenga (1985–2024) was an inspirational figure who transformed her breast cancer diagnosis at age 23 into a powerful mission to educate young people about early detection. As the founder of CoppaFeel!, she dedicated her adult life to breast cancer…
Read MoreHow to Plan Your Own Living Funeral
Living funerals are rewriting the rules of how we celebrate life’s journey. Whether you’re facing a terminal diagnosis, living with a progressive condition like Alzheimer’s, or simply wish to gather loved ones for a meaningful celebration, a living funeral offers the precious gift of being present for your own life celebration. It’s an opportunity to hear the stories usually saved for eulogies, to express gratitude in person, and to create lasting memories with those you cherish most. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about planning your own living funeral. From choosing the perfect timing and venue to creating a ceremony that truly reflects your personality, we’ll explore how to blend traditional elements with personal…
Read MoreLiving Funerals Trend: The Millennial and Gen Z Approach to Celebrating Life, Not Death
Celebrating Life While You’re Still Here In a world where traditions are continuously reimagined, younger generations are transforming the way we think about life’s final milestones. Enter the concept of Living Funerals—a heartwarming and personal way to celebrate life while the guest of honour is still present. Often referred to as “prefunerals” or “living memorials,” these ceremonies are growing in popularity, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, who are less tied to traditional end-of-life customs and more interested in personal, meaningful experiences. A recent survey highlights this growing trend, revealing a desire to create moments of joy, reflection, and connection—turning the traditional idea of funerals on its head. So, what’s behind this shift, and how can you plan a send-off…
Read MoreAn Exclamation Point on a Beautiful Life: Heidi’s Living Funeral
If you have the curse of advanced notice, throw a party. Don’t have a funeral – it’s not as fun. Writes Author Jenna Satherwaite, who described her sister Heidi’s living funeral to BBC’s Women’s Hour. This remarkable celebration turned the traditional concept of a memorial service into a joyous affirmation of life, love, and connection. This powerful story shows how choosing to celebrate life while we’re still here can create profound meaning for both the honoree and their loved ones. Jenna described the magical and pain-filled celebration as an exclamation point at the end of a sentence, “the sentence of her life. I guess you could call it closure. It was that moment when you pause to acknowledge a beautiful…
Read MoreHow to write a speech for your own living funeral
Finding the words to celebrate life’s story – with inspiration from Netflix’s “Love at First Sight.” When it comes to expressing our deepest feelings about life, love, and the connections we cherish, finding the right words can feel overwhelming. This becomes even more profound when those words are meant for our own living Funeral – a beautiful alternative to traditional funerals where people choose to celebrate their life while they’re present to share in the joy, tears, and gratitude with their loved ones. In Netflix’s “Love at First Sight,” we’re given a masterful example of how these profoundly personal speeches can strike the perfect balance between celebration and poignancy. Through Tessa Jones’ character (played by Sally Phillips), we witness a…
Read More“I Want to Be There to See It”: How Netflix’s Love at First Sight Perfectly Captures the Beauty of Living Memorials
“I do hate it when people say nice things about me behind my back. I think it’s a tragic waste.” When Netflix’s “Love at First Sight” gave us Tessa Jones’ living memorial, it did more than just create a moving scene in a romantic film – it opened up a beautiful conversation about how we can choose to say goodbye differently. Through a Shakespeare-themed celebration filled with music, laughter, and heartfelt moments, the film showed us how these unique ceremonies can transform what is traditionally a somber occasion into something truly magical. In this article, we’ll explore how Tessa’s living memorial masterfully demonstrates how end-of-life celebrations can be transformed from somber occasions into joyful, theatrical celebrations that honour both the…
Read MoreHow Living Funerals Are Changing How We Honour Life
In a remarkable shift from traditional end-of-life celebrations, more people are choosing to attend their own funerals through “Living Funerals” – meaningful ceremonies that celebrate life’s achievements and connections while the guest of honour is present to participate. This growing trend, already popular in the US and Japan, reflects our society’s evolving approach to discussing death openly while embracing life’s precious moments. These ceremonies offer a unique opportunity to share stories, express gratitude, and create lasting memories with loved ones in a deeply personal and meaningful way. Funeral Celebrant Jo Olson Clarke shares how Living Funerals are changing how we honour life Why are more and more people attending their own funeral? The trend towards ‘Living Funerals’ speaks to our…
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