Every person’s life is unique — full of memories, passions, and personal stories. It’s no surprise, then, that more and more families are looking for ways to create a funeral service that truly reflects the individuality of their loved one.
In this post, we explore what they involve and some ideas to help you plan a more colourful funeral service.
What is a Celebration of Life funeral?
A Celebration of Life is a personalised funeral or memorial service that focuses more on joyfully remembering a loved one than on formality. While still respectful and heartfelt, this type of funeral service often includes music, colour, storytelling, and elements that capture the person’s spirit and interests. They can take place in traditional settings such as crematoriums or more relaxed venues such as pubs or even outdoor locations.
Ultimately a celebration of life funeral is all about what feels most meaningful to you.
Why More Families Are Choosing This Approach
Recent studies in the UK have shown that more than half of us now prefer a “celebration of life” over a traditional funeral — a trend that’s growing year by year. We’ve seen this reflected locally too, with more families in North Cornwall and Devon asking us how they can include personal touches, themes, or more relaxed arrangements into the funeral planning process.
From music playlists and colourful attire to welcoming family pets or holding services in meaningful places, there are many ways to make a funeral more personal while still honouring the moment.
Celebration of life funeral ideas
Pick Their Favourite Colour
Encouraging mourners to wear your loved one’s favourite colour instead of traditional black can be a beautiful and uplifting way to reflect their personality. For instance, if they loved sunflowers, guests could wear yellow or include a sunflower in their lapel. Some families choose colours based on football teams, birthstones, or even seasonal themes. It’s a simple gesture that adds warmth and individuality to the service, and often brings comfort by creating a sense of unity and shared love.
Choose Music with Meaning
Music can stir emotion, spark memories, and help tell a story. While traditional hymns still hold meaning for many, increasingly families are choosing favourite songs, film soundtracks, or live acoustic performances. Whether it’s a beloved piece of classical music, a favourite 60s track, or a song that always made them smile, personalised music choices can help everyone feel more connected to the person they’re remembering.
Our tip: Include a short note in the Order of Service explaining why each song was chosen — it adds a thoughtful layer to the tribute.
Opt for a themed Tribute
A theme doesn’t need to be grand or theatrical — it can be as simple as weaving your loved one’s passions or life’s work into the service.
For example:
- For a keen gardener: decorate with wildflowers, ivy garlands, or even seed packets as favours.
- For a farmer: include readings about the countryside, or bring in wellies and flat caps as part of the floral arrangement.
- For someone who loved the coast: use shells, driftwood, and sea-themed music.
This can extend to the choice of venue, readings, order of service design, or even the hearse. These small details honour their story in a way that feels both gentle and authentic.
Include sentimental Items and Keepsakes
Including objects that were special to your loved one can be incredibly comforting — their favourite book, a cherished hat, a pair of walking boots, or a treasured photograph. These items can be placed on or beside the coffin, displayed on a memory table, or even used in a slideshow.
Keepsakes for guests, like:
- personalised bookmarks with a favourite quote
- candles
- flower seed packets
- handwritten notes from the family
can help people feel included and supported, even after the service is over.
Our tip: Ask friends and family to bring a photo or memory for a “memory jar” — it’s a beautiful way to collect personal tributes.
Include Pets and Personal Touches
If your loved one had a loyal pet, you might consider including them in the farewell. We’ve helped arrange services where dogs walked ahead of the hearse, or sat quietly with family during the service. It’s a meaningful way to recognise the bond they shared.
Personal touches might also include:
- a signature scent (perhaps their favourite candle or flower)
- readings by grandchildren or close friends
- playing a home video or voice recording
- serving a favourite treat at the wake, like scones or Cornish pasties
These moments help families feel the presence of their loved one throughout the day.
Pick a Meaningful Venue
While many services still take place in churches or crematoria, we’re seeing more families opt for alternative venues that reflect their loved one’s life. Community halls, pubs, gardens, sports clubs, even a family home — these spaces can feel less formal and more intimate.
We’re always happy to advise on local venues across Cornwall and Devon that offer peaceful, respectful settings — indoors or out.
Photo by The Good Funeral Guide
Choose Unique Funeral Transport
The final journey is one of the most symbolic moments of any funeral. While a traditional hearse remains a dignified and widely used choice, more families are now exploring transport options that reflect their loved one’s personality, interests, or life’s work.
Whether it’s a vintage Land Rover, a motorbike and sidecar, a horse-drawn carriage, or even a decorated camper van — personalised funeral vehicles can offer a meaningful nod to someone’s hobbies, lifestyle, or cherished memories.
These choices don’t have to be grand or extravagant. Sometimes it’s as simple as using a vehicle they owned and loved, or choosing a route that passes meaningful places — like their home, local pub, sports ground, or a favourite beauty spot.
Notable Examples: Aretha Franklin and Prince Philip
When the world bid farewell to the “Queen of Soul” in 2018, Aretha Franklin’s funeral wasn’t just a ceremony — it was a vibrant, unforgettable celebration of her life and legacy. Held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, the service reflected her powerful presence, faith, and influence across generations.
One of the most iconic touches? A fleet of 100 pink Cadillacs lined the street outside the church — a tribute to her hit song “Freeway of Love” and a symbol of her flair and personality.
Another poignant example was seen at the funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021. A man known for his lifelong love of engineering and the outdoors, Prince Philip personally helped design the modified Land Rover Defender that carried his coffin. It was practical, personal, and a powerful statement about who he was.
Creating a service that feels right
Planning a Celebration of Life funeral or memorial service doesn’t mean letting go of tradition — it simply means shaping the service around what mattered most to the person you’re honouring. At Denise Wellington Funeral Services, we’re here to guide you through those choices, offering as much support as you need.
We know that during times of grief, making decisions can feel overwhelming. That’s why we take the time to listen, offer suggestions, and help with all the finer details — from arranging personalised orders of service to sourcing local musicians or florists who understand your vision.
Whether you’re planning ahead, or recently bereaved and not sure where to start, we welcome you to pop in for a cup of tea and an informal chat. There’s no pressure, just a safe and compassionate space to begin the conversation.
Visit us at our funeral homes in Bude and Launceston, or give us a call on 01288 359277 (Bude) or 01566 785340 (Launceston).
