Funeral Party

What to do?

Endless possibilies and varieties of inventive and delightful activities can add a dose of fun and fortune to your living funeral event. Be sure that whenever possible that these activities are recorded for posterity.

Activities

*Have a karaoke event with the guest of honors favorite songs.
*Create and plant a time capsule.
*Make a reunion picture board collage or quilt
*Put on a family memorabilia scavenger hunt

Make Family History Fun

*Remember to a guest book to share feelings, comments and suggestions
*Ask the family historian, story-teller, or keeper of the family lore, to share meaningful ancestrial history or family legend.
*Honor family ancestors with ancestrial tribute.
*Stage family interviews.
*Hire photographer for taking family portraits and portraits
*Stage oral history recordings for elders
*Stage a family history reenactment

Outings

*Take a ride on a horse drawn carrage
*Visit a planitarium
*Take a trip to the symphony hall
*Take a walk through the arboretum
*A sight seeing tour down memory lane
*Prepare an oudoor barbecue (or a picnic in the rain!)

Festive Funeral

*Have a band for dancing.
*Ask family members to dress in the costume of a certain era to add fun and freshness.
*Have video monitors with family movies on loop playing.
*Prepare a butterfly release for the kickoff or the closing of the event

Games

*Casino night or Monte Carlo Night
*Fun Family history facts contest
*Fishing - see who can catch the most
*Have a horseshoe toss
*Have door prizes or raffles of family oriented gifts.
*Prepare a family trivia game preparing a number of family history quiz questions and prizes for right answers.
*Break out the boardgames

Wrapping Up

Last but not least don’t forget to make after party cleanup part of the event.

Where to Hold a Living Funeral

Considering planning a Living Funeral reunion of your own? Below are a few favorite places families have chosen.

Popular Destinations

The guest of honors' home or home town
The guest of honors' favorite place
A vacation destination, so as to incorporate family fun time along with the living funeral.
A boat cruise
A beach or park
A campground

Syncronize

Collect and distribute maps and brochures for all attendees.
Exchange cell phone numbers.

Discounts

Be sure to inquire about group discounts on hotels, tours, attractions, entertainment destinations, and transportation.

Funeral Fiesta

A Roast focuses on making memories at the event. At this time, significant people may be asked to speak about the honored person, share stories or special memories.

Sharing

The guest of honor may decide to take this opportunity to make special wishes known. They may call forth certain individuals to thank them, to present gifts or hand down items that have been saved to remind them of fond memories.

The guest of honor may also share his or her hopes and dreams for each individuals' future. They may also share stories and wisdom.

Lighthearted Ideas

In keeping with a lighthearted spirit, some roasts will incorporate a gag gift ceremony where family members each give a gag gift to the guest of honor to open in front of everyone - to for the amusement of all.

In the right settings, a roast can be a witty event of sarcasm. It can bring levity and laughter to all. It's always proper to consider the person being honored and their tolerance for criticism first however. Be sure to establish rules and guidelines prior to event. Roasts should not go so far as to shame anyone. Folks who take part should aim friendly and not abuse this special event. Some families even choose to limit the number of intoxicating beverages served in order to keep things pleasant.

Heritage Preservation Tools

Reunion mementos or souvenirs can be put together easily on several, quick personalization websites online.

T-shirts, mugs, bags, event programs, etc. are also an inexpensive, fast, and easy way of elevating the level of presentation at your event.

5 Star Funeral Ideas

Images Framed photos and painted portraits
Personal Documents Letters, deeds, diaries, journals or other special documents like marriage licenses, etc.
School Days Report cards, school books, and compositions
Handmade Items Quilts, knitting, embroidery, drawings, paintings
Heirlooms Family furniture, Civil War Sword, Antique toys, a favorite tobacco pipe, Kitchen utensils and crockery, Farm implements or hand tools
Clothing A wedding dress , hat or other special, memorable clothing
Military Items Military medals, ribbons, commendations, and other awards

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