Living funerals, which are also known as pre-funerals, offer a chance for people to say goodbye to their friends and families on their own terms and to celebrate their life while they are still alive. It’s not an entirely new concept. Living funerals started gaining popularity in Japan in the 1990s, where they’re known as seizenso (“funeral while living”), with the idea that it would take the pressure off family members or friends organising a funeral after someone had died.

For most people having a conversation about planning your own funeral is not an easy subject. There are many reasons why someone might have one. They might be terminally ill, or they might simply be getting older and want to celebrate their life and relationships while they still can. What makes these events so meaningful is how they allow people to tell each other how they feel, so nothing remains left unsaid. When you say these things out loud, it takes away an element of grief, because you’ve said everything you wanted to say.

Planning a living funeral to say your own special goodbye can bring comfort to everyone. It may be that you would like to visit a special place and invite your guests to join you there. You might want to have a picnic , or a formal dinner party in a favourite restaurant. You might like to hire a special venue - perhaps somewhere new where there are no memories at all. The choice is yours.

You may not think that much can come from a living wake, though there are a few benefits that are far-reaching – affecting not only the host but also those around them. It also provides loved ones with a chance to say goodbye and to tell the host how much they mean to them while they are still here. An opportunity easily missed amid a busy life, especially for those who don’t live close by.

There’s also the fact that it generally brings joy to all those who attend and gives them positive, uplifting memories to take from it. Living wakes are a fantastic way of celebrating life and acknowledging your loved ones, and it’s no surprise they’re becoming more popular. 

Ready to plan your own meaningful celebration or just want to talk with us to discuss options, We are here for you every step of the way.