What is a Living Funeral? Celebrating Life While We’re Still Here
I remember the first time I heard of a living funeral. It was in a documentary I was watching one evening, and I was in awe. I had never even thought about that being an option. Someone gathering their loved ones to celebrate their life while they were still here. It felt so unexpected but also so right. The idea of hearing your own eulogies, being surrounded by love, and saying goodbye in your own way stuck with me.
Now, as a death doula and celebration of life coordinator here in Columbus, I often see raised eyebrows when I bring up living funerals. People ask if that is even possible. How can someone have a funeral while they are still alive? But once I explain the heart behind it, the meaning, the connection, the chance to speak love out loud, most people end up deeply moved by the idea. What once felt strange starts to feel sacred.
Understanding the Living Funeral
A living funeral, also known as a living wake or pre-need celebration, is exactly what it sounds like: a funeral or memorial service held while the person being honored is still alive to participate. Rather than waiting until after death to gather and share memories, loved ones come together to celebrate the person's life, share stories, express gratitude, and say the things that often go unsaid until it's too late.
Think of it as flipping the traditional funeral script. Instead of speaking about someone in past tense while they lie in a casket, family and friends speak directly to their loved one, sharing how they've impacted their lives while that person can actually hear and respond to those precious words.
Who Chooses a Living Funeral?
Living funerals appeal to people facing terminal diagnoses who want to experience the love and celebration firsthand. But they're not exclusively for those nearing end of life. Some individuals choose living funerals as they enter significant life transitions, like retirement after a meaningful career, or simply because they want to hear the beautiful things people would say about them while they can still appreciate those words.
The Profound Gift of Presence
What makes living funerals so powerful is the element of presence and participation. The honored person can respond to stories, share their own memories, offer forgiveness, express love, and provide closure that traditional funerals simply cannot offer. There's something deeply healing about being able to look someone in the eye and tell them how they've changed your life for the better.
How I Support Families in Columbus
As both a death doula and celebration of life specialist, I bring a unique perspective to planning living funerals in the Columbus area. My approach combines the practical event planning skills needed to coordinate a meaningful gathering with the emotional and spiritual support that families need during these tender times.
I work closely with families to design ceremonies that truly reflect the honored person's personality, values, and wishes. This might involve coordinating with local venues like the beautiful gardens at Franklin Park Conservatory for someone who loves nature, or arranging an intimate gathering in a family home. I help craft the flow of the service, suggest meaningful rituals or traditions to include, and provide guidance on how to structure sharing time so everyone feels comfortable participating.
My death doula training allows me to hold space for the complex emotions that arise during these events. While living funerals are celebrations, they also acknowledge the reality of mortality and impending loss. I support families in navigating these layered feelings while creating an atmosphere where love and gratitude can flow freely.
Creating Sacred Space in Central Ohio
Columbus offers many beautiful venues for living funerals, from the serene spaces at our local churches and community centers to outdoor locations like the Scioto Mile or Inniswood Metro Gardens. I help families choose locations that feel meaningful and comfortable for their loved one while accommodating their guest list and accessibility needs.
The Lasting Impact
Families who choose living funerals often tell me they can't imagine having done it any other way. The honored person gets to experience being truly seen and appreciated, while family members find peace in knowing they expressed their love fully. When death does eventually come, the traditional funeral or memorial service can focus more on processing grief and supporting each other, knowing that celebration and gratitude were already shared.
Moving Forward with Love
If you're considering a living funeral for yourself or a loved one in the Columbus area, know that this choice comes from a place of love and intentionality. It's never too early to think about how we want to be remembered or too late to gather those we love for a celebration of connection.
As your guide through this process, I'm here to help you create a living funeral that honors the unique life being celebrated while providing comfort and closure for everyone involved. Because sometimes the most beautiful farewells happen while we can still say hello.
If you're interested in learning more about living funerals or celebration of life planning in Columbus, I'd love to connect with you. Together, we can create a meaningful celebration that honors life while life is still being lived.