THE LIVING FUNERAL Holding a Celebration of Life Before Death Occurs
It is important both to celebrate a life lived and to mourn a life lost. Often, after the death of a loved one or a close friend, it can be difficult to focus on celebrating when feelings of sadness, loss and pain are dominant. Recently, people have begun to host living funerals which allow them to celebrate their relationship with an individual close to them before that individual’s death. A living funeral, also known as a pre-funeral, is a funeral held for a living person, often one with a life-limiting illness. Funerals are frequently sad occasions meant to provide closure to loved ones after the death of someone close to them. People gather to share stories and kind words about an important individual who is no longer part of their lives. Unfortunately, these precious stories and words are not experienced by the individual who should hear them most. Living funerals allow loved ones to gather to celebrate a relationship that has enriched their life. They provide an opportunity for loved ones to share important messages or stories with an individual nearing death to honour the love and memories they share. Living funerals can be either celebratory or somber. Some prefer a traditional or religious ceremony while others prefer their living funeral to resemble a birthday party. For an individual diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, a living funeral presents the opportunity to reflect on their life and appreciate the people who have impacted it, as well as to consider the effect they have had on the lives of others. In this way, living funerals encourage honest and heartfelt communication between an individual and their loved ones. In addition, a living funeral is an opportunity for an individual to spend valuable time with those closest to them. Many people host living funerals to ensure that their final moments with their loved one are filled with joy, laughter and fond memories rather than only with sadness, pain and loneliness. Instead of mourning the loss of a special relationship after death, many are choosing to celebrate these relationships while they still can. In this way, living funerals provide a sense of closure for both an individual who is facing death and those closest to them.
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