Planning a Living Farewell
With thoughtful planning and creative ideas that invoke fond memories, a living farewell is a place to accept that we can be sad and still find joy by celebrating our relationship with a loved one who is dying. Grieving before someone is gone is unfamiliar to most of us, and the space within a living farewell is a safe place to both grieve and love someone at the same time. These moments can be transformational for all, and they can lighten future grief for words left unsaid. It’s a loving and healthy way that we can begin to process grief.
However, family and friends may not feel comfortable suggesting a living farewell, and if you're in the process of dying you may feel it is a burden to ask a loved one to help you plan yours. That’s where we can help; we’re able to step into an emotional situation and bring peace and order so that you can focus on what is important, spending time with those you love.
Planning Session
After a free consultation call, we’ll meet and get to know each other more, and chat about your vision of the living farewell you are planning. With family and friends already stretched thin, sometimes it’s hard to ask a loved one to put together a living farewell. Our goal is to plan an event that is a reflection of you, and create the time and space for you and your loved ones to connect.
Notifying Guests
Sometimes the need for a living farewell can happen suddenly and loved ones can be caught off guard. With thoughtful, clear communication we ensure those invited understand what to expect at the living farewell. Our invitations outline the details of the event and help set the tone for guests. We are also available to chat with guests and answer questions prior to the living farewell.
Prepare Your Heart
The amount of emotional energy at a living farewell can be overwhelming to some. We offer helpful tips to prepare you emotionally prior to the living farewell as well as suggestions for how to process feelings and emotions after the living farewell. When grieving is done with intention there are benefits to the healing process.
What is a typical Living Farewell like?
Will guests feel awkward?
What do people do at a Living Funeral?
There is no typical format, because each living farewell is an event uniquely tailored for the person being honored. For some, their ideal farewell is a quiet, somber event and others may prefer more of a lively party vibe. With respect and authenticity at the forefront of each living farewell, we can help you craft an event that reflects who you are and how you want to be remembered.
We not only help you plan the ideal gathering but we are there at the event to help support you in a variety of ways. From greeting guests when they arrive and answering questions they may have to mingling about to help keep the atmosphere loving and open, we take our lead from you and fill the gaps as desired. When it is a guest’s first time walking into a living funeral, it can be uncomfortable because they don’t know what to expect. Based on the wants and needs of the person being celebrated, we are available to be of service in a variety of ways to ensure that the living farewell is a welcoming space and comfortable for all who attend.
When guests are invited to a living farewell, we include all the necessary details regarding the event to ensure comfort and safety. And, we are available to answer questions prior to the event via phone, text or email.
Optional guided activities can help to break the ice and bring forth space for sharing authentically. At a more somber living farewell there may be a guided group meditation followed with sharing memories by candlelight with soft music playing in the background. A more festive living farewell may be a 70’s themed party with a best dressed contest. Oftentimes, just having those we love all gathered together is enough and guided activities are not necessary. Our goal is to create an event that allows the people who you love to gather and rejoice one last time as a special community that was founded by you. Unlike traditional funerals, there is no set menu to choose from with a living farewell.