Celebration of Life Service at June Farms
Celebration of life services take a fresh approach to end-of-life gatherings. And many families are opting for them over the traditional funeral route. That’s because this type of service remembers the deceased from a perspective of positivity and joy.
All the while, it treats the process of honoring him or her with compassion and humility. And it prioritizes the comfort of close loved ones who were left behind in grief.
The service itself is a meeting of friends and family in a serene location after the physical remains of the deceased have been cared for either by burial or cremation.
Celebration of life services foster safe and joyful environments for attendees to laugh, cry, share stories, and toast the departed.
In this article, we’ll talk about the advantages of celebration of life services and what June Farms offers in the way of them.
What is a Celebration of Life?
A celebration of life is a funerary event that emphasizes a person’s life rather than his or her death. By their nature, celebrations of life tend to eschew sorrow and focus on gratitude. They recount the very best of a person’s life instead of lamenting the loss of the physical body.
In this way, celebration of life services often function as a bridge from a place of sadness to one of peace.
What is the difference between a celebration of life and a memorial service?
We’re often asked what makes a celebration of life unique, i.e., how does it differ from a traditional memorial service?
The key difference between a celebration of life and a memorial service is a matter of perspective: The former is positive and joyous; the latter is often somber. The former celebrates the life of the deceased person. The latter grieves the death of that person.
Think of it as turning the funeral paradigm on its head. There are cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres, music, speeches — sometimes even dancing too. After all, it’s a celebration.
It might sound strange to some, perhaps even a little irreverent. But we can assure you it’s not. Celebration of life services are handled with the utmost care and attention to the legacy of the deceased and his or her remaining loved ones.
And the tone of the event is set by you, the host. So, ultimately, the service and its ambiance can be anything you want it to be.
Why choose a celebration of life service for your loved one?
Choosing a celebration of life service puts you in control of honoring your loved one.
So often funeral services and their subsequent memorial events are not an accurate reflection of the person you loved. They can be stuffy and filled with formulaic readings and rituals. Worst of all, they often fail to capture all of the joy, successes, and happy memories that make up a person’s life.
On the other hand, a celebration of life puts the bereaved in the driver’s seat. It gives you the platform and agency to remember your loved one in an individualized way, as he or she truly was.
Celebration of life service package at June Farms
Scottish Highland cows on the grounds of June Farms
By this point, you know what a celebration of life is and how it differs from a traditional funeral service.
If you think you’d like to celebrate your departed loved one in this way, we invite you to do so with us at June Farms.
Here is what we offer in the way of these services:
Beautiful, serene environs
The drive up to The Pony Barn at June Farms
Hosting a celebration of life service at June Farms means you’ll be in a gorgeous setting, surrounded by bucolic landscapes. You and your guests will be comforted by the sights and sounds of happy farm animals, sweet barn cats, and the fresh air of the country.
Tasteful venue + food & drink
A June Farms celebration of life reception typically features a 3-hour open bar and an on-site caterer. Your catering options are either passed hors d’oeuvres or a simple buffet. The services are held in The Pony Barn, which is our fully-decorated rustic chic lounge and event space. The room will be outfitted with seasonal floral arrangements for your service at no cost to you.
The Pony Barn can hold up to 200 guests, and there is additional tent space outside if your party is larger than that. The typical June Farms celebration of life has anywhere from 50 to 400 guests in attendance.
The Pony Barn
The space fee, not inclusive of an open bar and catering add-ons, is $3,000.
Event coordination
When your family hosts a celebration of life at June Farms, your event will come with a dedicated event coordinator. This person will assist you with pre-event planning and on the day of the event.
You will be provided with audiovisual equipment in case you’d like to display a slideshow or give speeches. Our events person will coordinate this and handle all the technicalities on the day of.
Additionally, our events coordinator can help you to personalize The Pony Barn with photos and memorabilia before your event begins.
Ceremony site
A violinist at the June Farms ceremony site
Most celebration of life events at June Farms are limited to a reception in The Pony Barn. But if your family would also like to host a ceremony, we have a lovely outdoor site that can seat up to 100 people. Call to inquire about ceremony details and pricing.
Planning a Celebration of Life Service
Remember, there are no rules that govern what a celebration of life can and cannot be. They’re generally optimistic events. But there are also celebrations of life that are more solemn and contemplative.
The spirit of the event, so to speak, is determined by you. After all, we each celebrate life differently.
Your event can be formal or casual. There can be music, cocktails, and food — or not. It’s also OK to host a quiet, dignified party where you talk and reminisce without any of the above.
Our team will work with you on short notice to ensure that your event honors your loved one the way you want him or her to be honored.
If you’d like more information about celebration of life services at June Farms, please contact Matt at (518) 444-3276.
