Celebrations of Life:

I personally see this celebration as being worthy of consideration for a friend or family member who may be growing older, or who is unwell. A celebration should honour and recognize their life and achievements and what a person has meant to friends and family.

My 80 years old father in- law Ken celebrated his 80th birthday recently. I asked his eight grand-children, a total of 8 to think of a way they could express to their Grand-father, know as Poppy, what he meant to them and what they remembered as they grew up.

The two young ones paired up and sang to their Poppy, which brought on a great deal of laughter from everyone, especially Poppy. Others had a bag containing many, items (cards, lollies, biscuit -tin, etc…) things that connected their relationship with their Grand-father and talked about them as they emptied the bag, once again much laughter. The older ones, together recited a poem talked about the memories and what they recalled, finally presenting Poppy with a beautiful certificate of “Recognition for being a wonderful Grandfather”. Watching my father-law embrace all of this from his grand-children was so wonderful and moving.

“Why wait for a funeral to celebrate and honour our loved ones”

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