Funerals Are a Time to Celebrate Life!

Losing a Loved One: How to Celebrate Life During Grief

Death is a part of life, but that’s a difficult concept to a person who’s lost a close friend or relative. The pain may be intense. Dealing with everyday tasks is outright tiring. It can be difficult to remember the Hope we have in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Celebrating a person’s life can remind us of God’s love and goodness even during our grieving period. It can also remind us that our relationship with our deceased loved one continues even beyond the veil of death. We are called to support our loved one through the process of Purgatory with our prayers, and when they receive the fullness of Heaven they will be praying for us.

Let’s explore some ways we can prayerfully celebrate the life of a deceased loved one.

Pulling Together Photos

A wonderful way to celebrate a person’s life is through photos. Pull out old photo albums or open up flash drives on your computer. Look through the photos, and create a collage. There might be videos in there too. Think about the good times during those experiences. Sharing them with others is a thoughtful way to further the celebration. Pray for your loved one as you enjoy the memories, and pray for the Holy Spirit to send you His comfort.

Heading out to Beloved Locations

You’ll feel more connected to the loved one than ever before if you visit places that he or she adored. Parks, stores and other locations make celebratory road trips come alive. These would make perfect places for a prayer service – whether you do it out loud with friends, or silently by yourself.

Incorporating Celebration Into a Funeral

You scheduled a funeral Mass Riverside IL and invited the entire family. Discuss the ceremony’s details with the funeral director. The most important aspect of any funeral is the requiem Mass and the prayers for the dead. However, the visitation and the dinner and social gathering are great times to add in a few bright spots. Sharing funny anecdotes about the person can encourage smiles and lift hearts, making our Hope of eternal life more evident to your guests.

Allowing Everyone to Naturally Grieve

Photos, videos, and stories may put you in the mood to celebrate the Hope we have in Jesus, but other loved ones may need more time to process the loss. Allow everyone to grieve in his or her own way. A friend or relative may be ready to smile about the loved one in a few days or weeks.

For those of us who have Hope in Jesus, a funeral is a strange time. It’s a time for somber reflection and sorrow. It can also be a time to share love and joy. We mourn the loss of our loved one. At the same time, we are reminded that death does not truly separate us. But one thing is for certain. For a Catholic, a funeral is not the end of a relationship. Continue to celebrate the lives of those who have died, to pray for them, and to ask for their prayers. Remain united in your love!

Thanks to Hitzeman Funeral Home in Brookfield, IL, for sponsoring this post. Learn more about Hitzeman Funeral Home here. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.