“A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean” is part of Love Lives On’s exclusive “A Fitting Farewell” series.
In this article, we’ve curated the very best celebration of life ideas that honour a loved one who lived a life true to the motto “happiness is a day at the beach.”
What better way to honour a person who loved the ocean than with an ocean-inspired memorial service or a celebration of life ceremony.
Our inspiring celebration of life ideas are organized into the following helpful sections:
- Gorgeous Urn Ideas
- Unique Venue Ideas
- Elegant Printed Invitation Ideas
- Eco-Friendly Social Media Invitation Ideas
- Lovely Printed Program Ideas
- Stunning Flower Arrangement Ideas
- Touching Music Ideas
- Heartfelt Poem and Reading Ideas
- Beach-Themed Venue Decoration Ideas
- Beautiful Guest Book Ideas
- Eye-Catching Poster Board and Memorial Board Ideas
- Exquisite Table Decoration Ideas
- Delicious Food Ideas
- Thoughtful Funeral Favour Ideas
- Why It’s Important to Work With Professionals
- How to Find Caring Professionals in Your Area
We’re confident that the celebration of life ideas you’ll find in this post will spark some inspiration for planning a unique service that honours your loved one and reflects his or her love of the sea.
If you like any of the products or recipes shown in this article, please ask your funeral director to contact us at info@LiveLivesOn.com to request our “Beach Theme Reference List.”
Gorgeous Urn Ideas
Here are some of our favourite urns that would be perfect for someone that loved the ocean.
Our selection of urns are all produced by well-known companies that have a history of excellence and are able to work with your funeral home to ensure timely product delivery.
If you are looking for an urn that is eco-friendly, numbers (5) and (7) below are biodegradable.
(Product details for all of the urns displayed above are available in the “Beach Theme Reference List”.)
Unique Venue Ideas
When planning “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean,” what better setting for his or her final farewell than on or by the beach? Listen to the soothing sounds of waves against the shore, smell the salty air and feel the sand between your toes as you reflect on your loved one’s incredible life. Can you imagine a more peaceful or comforting setting?
The first step for this inspiring celebration of life idea is to have your funeral director check with your city or township to see if you need a permit to host a gathering in a public space.
Furthermore, if your loved one was cremated and you wish to scatter his or her ashes as a part of the celebration of life ceremony, your funeral director should also ask if there are bylaws regulating this process.
If you are not permitted to have a large gathering in a public space, don’t give up on this celebration of life idea altogether.
Instead, consider asking a family member or friend who has a beautifully maintained, sizeable yard or property (ideally one on the water!) if they would be willing to let you host the memorial service there.
Alternatively, consider renting a waterfront property via a website like AirBnB. (Be sure to speak with the property owners before you book the property to ensure that they have no objection to their property being used for a large gathering.)
You can use decorations and lighting to completely transform the grounds into a beach-themed oasis. Re-create the calming vibes of the beach by adding orb twinkle lights, tiki torches, beach or patio furniture and decor that’s at home in a beach setting.
If the yard is not on the water, consider playing some ocean sounds through speakers to magically transport people to the beach.
You can also project an ocean or beach scene onto a makeshift projector screen made out of a white sheet folded over a clothesline. You could also use this screen to play a tribute video or photo slideshow as a part of the celebration of life service.
A waterfront restaurant would also make a beautiful setting for a celebration of life or memorial service, not to mention, it takes care of all your catering needs for the event.
If you want a private event, or if you have a sizeable guest list, consider renting out the entire restaurant for your loved one’s celebration of life.
If you’re planning a smaller gathering, it likely wouldn’t be financially feasible to rent out the whole restaurant for the evening.
Instead, see if it would be possible to reserve a few tables in a more private part of the restaurant (for example, an enclosed patio or a party room).
Guests can share a meal in an intimate setting while exchanging fond memories of your loved one, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the ocean.
This last venue idea is perfect for a loved one who enjoyed setting sail. Contact boat cruises to inquire about hosting a private event.
Private boat cruises are becoming increasingly popular, and many vessels are fully equipped with everything you would need for a celebration of life ceremony, including a dining room and a kitchen, if you wish to also have a reception meal on the water.
A boat cruise would also make the perfect setting for an ash scattering ceremony. Before you head back to the dock, scatter your loved one’s ashes into the sea to let him or her embark on one last journey.
Whatever type of location you chose, your funeral director can take on the task of booking the venue and hiring any equipment that you may need. (For example, sound system, chairs and table.) He or she is more than willing to take the planning stress off your shoulders.
Elegant Printed Invitation Ideas
Printed invitations often become treasured keepsakes, so we’ve created some beautiful ideas to inspire you. (Please note, our samples are not available for purchase.)
When it comes to designing and printing invitations for “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean,“ your funeral director can take on this task.
You only need to give him or her the details you want included in the invitation, along with some guidance on the design style you prefer.
These first two sample invitation designs are appropriate for a celebration of life where there will be a full meal served after the ceremony. These two examples use casual language, whimsical fonts and colour palettes to indicate that the gathering will be very informal.
If you’re planning a reception where you will be serving light refreshments only, such as canapés, the text options in this next set of designs would be appropriate.
The invitation (below left) uses a font style that suggest that the celebration of life will be semi-formal, whereas the invitation on the right-hand side is appropriate for a truly formal occasion.
(Both invitations have a colour palette that is better suited to a structured ceremony than to one that will be highly informal.)
These next examples of celebration of life invitations feature wording that would be appropriate for a service that will not be followed by a reception meal.
There are a few essential elements that you should make sure that you include in your celebration of life invitations, regardless of whether the service will be formal or informal:
- The first name of the deceased (you can choose to include the last name as well);
- The date of the celebration of life service (and reception, if you are having one);
- The venue and address (be sure to include for both the celebration of life venue and the reception venue if they will be taking place in different locations);
- The start and end times of the celebration (TIP: confirm these details with the venue before printing your invitations!);
- The kind of food and drinks will be served so that guests know what to expect and can plan accordingly. If you are planning a “pot-luck,” the invitation should specify what you want guests to bring;
- If the celebration of life is at an outdoor location, your invite should include details about the backup plan in the event of bad weather;
- The invitation should also have the name of the person to contact, along with his or her phone number or email address, so that guests know who they should call or email with any questions, or to RSVP. (Including details for RSVPs are extremely important so that you can get an accurate guest count to relay to the venue and to ensure you plan for sufficient food and drinks for the event).
Eco-Friendly Social Media Invitation Ideas
While printed invitations are an elegant choice, if you are under time or budget constraints, you can still create a beautiful invitation to share on social media.
Love Lives On has created a unique social media tool called “Meme-orial” which allows you to create a customized image that you can easily share on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.
All you need to do for this celebration of life idea is to select a photo of your loved one, add a personalized message, and select a background image that reflects the beach theme.
You can either write the details of the event in place of the personalized message, (like in the example below on the left), or write these details in the caption at the top of the post, that is, above the customized picture, (see below right).
Lovely Printed Program Ideas
All types of services, (whether it’s a funeral, memorial service, or a celebration of life), should have a printed program.
It helps guests know what to expect during the service, and is also a lovely keepsake, particularly if it includes a short biography of the person that passed away, along with their photo.
Your funeral director is likely a seasoned pro when it comes to creating a printed program.
As with printed invitations, you only need give him or her the details you would like included in the program, a photo of your loved one, as well as some guidance on the design style you wish to have, (for example, modern or traditional).
We’ve created three program samples to inspire you if you are planning “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean.”
Sample Program 1:
Sample Program 2:
Sample Program 3:
While our three program samples above are not available for sale, if you like any of the background photography we used, have your funeral director request our “Beach Theme Reference List.”The Reference List will let him or her know where to obtain these images for free!
Here are some more of our favourite free-to-use images (also included in the Reference List) that would make any ocean-themed program look gorgeous!
Some more gorgeous photographs to use in printed programs:
A celebration of life program typically includes the following details:
- The first name (and perhaps the last name) of the deceased
- His or her date of birth and death
- A photo
- The time, place, and date of the celebration of life or memorial service
- The name of the Officiant or celebrant (if applicable) who will be presiding over the service
- The full name of the person who will be delivering the eulogy, if there will be one. (You may also choose to include his or her relationship of the person being remembered)
- The song titles (and name of the artists) that will be played or sung during the ceremony
- The titles of any poems or readings (and the authors) that will be shared during the celebration of life
You could also include the following information. Please note, however, that the more pages there are in the program, the higher the printing costs will be:
- A brief biography of your loved one’s life. (This may include notable achievements, hobbies, favourite song, flowers, poem, book or TV show, etc.)
- Photos of your loved one at different stages of life or from important occasions
- An order of events of the service
- List of surviving family members
- Names or pictures of his or her treasured pets
- A message of thanks from the family to the guests at the celebration of life service, as well as acknowledgements for any thoughtful contributions
Stunning Flower Arrangement Ideas
We’ve curated our favourite floral arrangements for “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean.” Nothing pairs more beautifully together than seashells, driftwood and gorgeous flowers.
Your funeral home will either have an in-house florist, or will be able to recommend a local florist that they know does great work because they’ve worked with him or her before.
Ask the florist to create beach-themed flower arrangements. He or she can either incorporate seashells and driftwood that your loved one collected during his lifetime, or these items can be purchased.
(Please see our “Beach Theme Reference List” for a shopping list of the supplies used in the flower arrangements below.)
This next set of flower arrangement ideas are more manageable for a DIY project.
You can turn any regular flower arrangement into a beach-themed bouquet just by filling a vase or container of your choice with water, sand and seashells (see left, top-middle, bottom-middle examples in the image below). You then fill these vases with the flowers of your choice.
Another idea would be to create a nautically-themed rope vase to display the flower arrangement in (see image to the bottom-left below).
Mason jars can also make a beautiful vessel to display flowers at a celebrations of life service. Use blue tinted mason jars (see image to the top-right below) or chalk painted mason jars in beach tones (see image to the bottom-right below) to create a beach-themed vase for your flower arrangements.
Please see our “Beach Theme Reference List” for a shopping list of the supplies used in the flower arrangements below, as well as tutorials on how to make the rope vase and the chalk painted mason jars.
Want to bring an extra personal touch to your celebration of life flowers? Learn the meanings to 10+ popular funeral flowers to help you choose flower types and colours that reflect the message you are trying to convey.
Touching Music Ideas
Music (either performed live or recorded) can play an influential role in setting the overall tone for the event and adds a personal touch to the ceremony.
Consider the different points throughout the celebration of life where music would be fitting.
For example, you might want to play a particular song (e.g. your loved one’s favourite song or a song that captures his or her spirit) while guests are arriving and leaving the celebration of life.
If you are planning to scatter your loved one’s ashes during the ceremony, you might want music to play during the ash scattering.
Will there be a tribute video? You should consider playing background music while the video plays.
Here are ocean-inspired songs that would beautifully commemorate a true beach lover:
- “Circle in the Sand” by Louis Armstrong.
“Oh, baby, anywhere you go, We are bound together. I begin, baby, where you end. Somethings are forever. Circle in the sand.”
- “Footprints In the Sand” by Leona Lewis.
“I heard you say, I promise you, I’m always there. When your heart is filled with sorrow, And despair, And I’ll carry you. When you need a friend. You’ll find my footprints in the sand”
- “Sand and Water” by Beth Neilson Chapman
“I will see you in the light of a thousand suns. I will hear you in the sound of the waves. I will know you when I come, as we all will come, Through the doors, beyond the grave”
- “Island In the Sun” by Weezer.
“On an island in the sun/We’ll be playin’ an’ havin’ fun/And it makes me feel so fine/I can’t control my brain.”
- “On the Beach ” by Neil Young.
“Get out of town, think I’ll get out of town/Get out of town, think I’ll get out of town/I head for the sticks with my bus and friends, I follow the road, though I don’t know where it ends/Get out of town, get out of town, think I’ll get out of town.”
- “Be Still” by The Killers.
“Be still. Wild and young. Long may your innocence reign. Like shells on the shore. And may your limits be unknown. And may your efforts be your own. If you ever feel you can’t take it anymore.”
- “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys.
“Off the Florida Keys, there’s a place called Kokomo. That’s where you want to go to get away from it all. Bodies in the sand, tropical drink melting in your hand. We’ll be falling in love to the rhythm of a steel drum band. Down in Kokomo.”
- “See You Again” by Carrie Underwood.
“Where the water meets the sky, The thought of it makes me smile. You are my tomorrow. I will see you again, oh This is not where it ends. I will carry you with me, oh ‘Till I see you again.”
- “Gone Too Soon” by Michael Jackson.
“Like a castle built upon a sandy beach. Gone too soon.”
We’ve also curated a list of 200+ of the best funeral songs for funerals, memorial services and celebrations of life.
If your loved one was religious and you wish to incorporate some religious sentiments into his or her celebration of life service, we also have a list of 50+ of the best funeral gospel songs.
Heartfelt Poem and Reading Ideas
Poems and readings are often included in a funeral or memorial service, and even a celebration of life ceremony, because it is a beautiful way to pay tribute to the life and legacy of our loved one.
We’ve curated a collection of our favourite poems and readings for “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean.”
Poems and Readings Suitable for Children to Read or Recite
These poems and readings are short and sweet, making it easy for a child to memorize and recite at the service.
~
Not Gone
By Rumi
Death has nothing to do with going away.
The sun sets
The moon sets
But they are not gone.
~
After Glow
Author Unknown
I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an after glow
of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun
of happy memories
that I leave when life is done
~
Something Beautiful Remains
By Martha Vashti Pearson
The tide recedes
But leaves behind
Bright shells on the seashore.
The sun goes down
But gentle warmth
Still lingers on the land.
The music stops and yet
It lingers on in sweet refrains –
For every joy that passes
Something beautiful remains.
~
My Soul Has Wings
Author Unknown
When I die and leave behind
this earth I love, these trees, this sky,
the pounding sea, the yearly hope of spring…
Cry not for me, Rejoice!
My soul has wings
and in its freedom sings.
~
As Long As Hearts Remember
Author Unknown
As long as hearts remember
As long as hearts still care
We do not part with those we love
They’re with us everywhere
~
This last reading is perfect for a child who is old enough to light a candle to recite in memory of his or her loved one. He or she can recite the reading while lighting each of the four candles referenced, adding an interactive element to this tribute.
Multiple children could also take on a role in this reading. One can recite the reading while the other four each get to light a candle.
Four Candles
Author Unknown
The first candle represents our grief.
The pain of losing you is intense
It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.
The second candle represents our courage.
to confront our sorrow,
comfort each other,
and to change our lives.
This third candle we light in your memory.
For the times we laughed,
The times we cried,
The times we were angry with each other,
HereThe silly things you did,
The caring and joy you gave us.
The fourth candle we light for our love.
We light this candle that your light will always shine
As we enter this sad time and share this day of remembering
with family and friends.
We cherish the special place in our hearts
That will always be reserved for you.
We thank you for the gift
Your living brought each of us.
~
Poems and Readings Suitable for Teens and Adults to Recite
Here are our favourite ocean-inspired poems and readings. We hope that you find something that you love in this collection.
~
Honour and Comfort
By A.C. Swinburne
From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free,
We thank with brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods may be
That no life lives forever;
That dead men rise up never;
That even the weariest river winds somewhere safe to sea
~
A Parable of Immortality
By Rev. Luther F. Beecher
I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud
Just where the sea and the sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone says, “There she goes!”
Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side
And just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There she goes”
There are other eyes watching her coming
And their voices ready to take up the glad shouts,
“Here she comes!”
~
A Life Well Lived
Author Unknown
A life well lived is a precious gift
Of hope and strength and grace,
From someone who has made our world
A brighter, better place
It’s filled with moments, sweet and sad
With smiles and sometimes tears,
With friendships formed and good times shared
And laughter through the years.
A life well lived is a legacy
Of joy and pride and pleasure,
A living, lasting memory
Our grateful hearts will treasure.
~
Remember Me
By Margaret Mead
To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated,
But to the happy, I am at peace,
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea – remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty – remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity – remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, and your memories of the times we
loved, the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will have never gone.
~
Footprints In the Sand
By Margaret Fishback Powers
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:
“LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me.”
The LORD replied:
“My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you.”
~
Be Comforted
Author Unknown
My life is ended here at peace with the sea.
The Lord has called me home and I am free to go peacefully.
Don’t mourn my passing as I am now in the presence of the Glory of God,
His bright love is abundant and his promises are real.
I will wait here for you dear ones in Jesus’ arms and watch over you with him until you also come home.
Be comforted loved ones.
“I shall go the way of the open sea,
To the Lands before you came,
And the cool ocean breezes shall blow from me,
The memory of your name”
~
I Am There
By Iris Hesselden
Look for me when the tide is high
And the gulls are wheeling overhead
When the autumn wind sweeps the cloudy sky
And one by one the leaves are shed
Look for me when the tide is high
And the gulls are wheeling overhead
When the autumn wind sweeps the cloudy sky
And one by one the leaves are shed
I am there, where the river flows
And the salmon leap to a silver moon
Where the insects hum and the tall grass grows
And sunlight warms the afternoon
I am there in the busy street
I take your hand in the city square
In the market place where the people meet
In your quiet room – I am there
I am the love you cannot see
And all I ask is – look for me.
~
The Cloud (Excerpt)
By Percy Shelly
I am the daughter of Earth and Water,
And the nursling of the Sky;
I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;
I change, but I cannot die.
~
I’ll Be There
Author Unknown
There was no time to say goodbye
Remember me as you think best
The happy time – forget the rest.
Look for me and I’ll be there
And you will find me everywhere
In the gentle touch of breeze
That cools the skin or swirls the leaves.
In the scent and colour of flowers
That gave to me such happy hours
On sunny days under sunny skies of blue
Just think of me, I’ll be with you.
In winter when there’s cloud or mist
The rain will give to you my kiss
As wood smoke lingers in the air
Look for me and I’ll be there.
Where seagulls cry above the sea
And surf rolls in so endlessly
Among towering trees that soar above
In all these things that i once loved
Look for me and I’ll be there
You’ll feel my presence everywhere.
~
Don’t Weep for Me
Author Unknown
Don’t weep for me, for it was time
to slip life’s bonds and soar and climb.
Do not grieve for what is past,
for bodies are not meant to last.
Expendable, their only role
a growing medium for the soul.
Don’t store my books, don’t wear my rings
or cling to clothes or other things
of sentimental value, for
you do not need them anymore.
Browse through photos for a while,
but only if they make you smile
and call to mind how much we cared,
the things we did, the times we shared;
but do not sigh and wish them back,
or dress yourself in hopeless black,
for clouds will part and larks will rise –
the wheel must turn to make us wise.
And this is how ‘twill ever be:
I’m part of you, you’re part of me.
At every dawning’s golden flare,
each velvet nightfall, I’ll be there.
On woodland walk, by tossing sea,
some elemental part of me
will ride the wind and sing its song,
for each to each, we all belong.
Your happiness will set me free;
beloved, do not weep for me.
~
This last reading would be perfect for reciting during an ash scattering in the ocean. The lines “I will be as one with the sea” would be particularly meaningful in this context.
Alone I Will Not Be
By Capt. Chad Theesfeld
Alone I will not be
my comfort will come from the sea.
The stillness of calm waves will gently drift by
I will be as one with the sea.
When the sun sets on the ocean blue,
remember me as I will always remember you.
As the sun rises…go live life as full as can be
Apart…you and me…but at peace for I am free
~
You can also browse our extensive library of poems and readings for more beautiful odes to a loved one who has passed away.
Beach-Themed Venue Decoration Ideas
With an ocean-themed event, the decor is bound to be calming and beautiful. There are so many creative ideas that you can use to decorate the venue.
Here are some of our favourite decorating ideas for “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean.” (All the supplies that you need to recreate each one of our ideas can be found in our “Beach Theme Reference List.”)
One of our favourite ideas is the white floating umbrellas. You could add cordless and waterproof twinkle lights to the umbrella handle for extra sparkle, particularly if the event is likely to run into the evening hours…
Below are some more venue decoration ideas to inspire you. (Our “Beach Theme Reference List” also has a tutorial on how to make the scallop shell string lights that you see in the centre image.)
For the chalkboard sign, here are some quote ideas that would be perfect for a beach-themed celebration of life service:
- “Sky above, sand below, peace within.”
- “To go out with the setting sun on an empty beach is to truly embrace your solitude.” – Jeanne Moreau
- “If there’s heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached to it.” – Jimmy Buffet
- “At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun.” – Sandy Gingras
- “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.” – Wyland
- “Beach Rules: Soak up the sun. Ride the waves. Breathe the salty air. Feel the breeze. Build sandcastles. Rest, relax, reflect. Collect seashells. Bare-feet required.” – Unknown Author
The beach and candlelight go together so beautifully. The following photographs are some of our favourite ideas for beach-inspired candle decorations.
(Our “Beach Theme Reference List” also has a tutorial on how to make the oyster shell candles that you see in the left image below, along supplies you’ll need to make any of these gorgeous decorations.)
We also love wreaths that incorporate shells into the design. Here are some of our favourite wreath ideas to inspire you!
You can also create a keepsake wreath by adding little personal mementos to the wreath that remind you of your loved one. You’ll enjoy having this wreath hanging in your home for many years to come.
A wreathe can either be made by your florist, (you may need to provide him or her with shells that you wish to incorporate), or by you as a DIY project if you enjoy crafts. (A tutorial is included in our “Beach Theme Reference List” on how to make a seashell and succulent wreath, which you can see below on the left.)
Alternatively, you can purchase a shell wreath online that has been handcrafted by an artisan. (See “Beach Theme Reference List.”)
Beautiful Guest Book Ideas
Guest books are relatively common to see a service, whether it be a funeral service, a memorial service, or a celebration of life service.
Guests are invited to sign the guest book and share special memories about the deceased or offer uplifting words to the family. It can be exceptionally comforting to read these messages and reflect on how many people’s lives your loved one touched.
Here are some beautiful options for traditionally-styled guest books. (Please see our Beach Themed Reference List for purchasing details.)
You could also decide to be whimsical and use objects that you would find at the beach for guests to add their signature on. It’s not traditional, but it certainly is creative!
Here are our favourite ideas for non-traditional “guest books” – shells, message in a bottle, wooden anchor, and sea-glass. (See the “Beach Theme Reference List” for where to purchase supplies.)
Eye-Catching Poster Board and Memorial Board Ideas
It would be a lovely touch to have a large photo on your loved one displayed on an easel at the very front of the ceremony, or at the entrance of the venue.
A common practice is to print your loved one’s photo, along with his or her name, date of birth and death, on poster board. (Your funeral director is experienced in handling this printing job.)
He or she many also have an easel that you can use to display the poster board. (Otherwise, consult our “Beach Theme Reference List” on where to purchase one.)
Here are some of our favourite designs for poster boards for “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean” to hopefully inspire you.
In addition to the poster board, you may consider adding a memorial board.
A memorial board is a great way to provide guests with many insights into your loved one’s unique and eventful life by highlighting significant milestones, treasured memories and mementos.
Here are some ideas for different creative ways to set up the memorial board. For an ocean-themed celebration of life, we particularly love the fishing net display that you see below left.
Exquisite Table Decoration Ideas
Are you planning a sit-down meal for the guests after the celebration of life or memorial service? If you are, natural elements collected from the beach (or purchased online) can be transformed into stunning table decor with a little imagination.
We absolutely LOVE these table decoration ideas for centrepieces and table settings in the image below.
You may also wish to have a memorial table where guests can sign a guest book. You can decorate this table to be an ode to your loved one.
Display a variety of his or her favourite beach items such as a beach umbrella, seashells they’ve collected over the years, an old mask and snorkel or a collection of books they read on the beach, and, of course, flowers.
These are a few additional ideas on how to decorate the guest book table.
If you like any of the table decoration ideas shown in this section, please see our “Beach Theme Reference List” for a comprehensive shopping list.
Delicious Food Ideas
Any gathering with family and friends is made better with the addition of food and drinks!
If preparing food feels like an overwhelming task, take heart. Many funeral homes offer in-house catering or have a close working relationship with an excellent local catering company.
We’ve put together a sample menu that would be perfect for “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean,” whether you’re planning a casual event (like a beach picnic), or a formal affair (like a sit-down dinner).
If any of the dishes in this article look particularly delicious to you, our “Beach Theme Reference List” contains the recipe which you can make yourself or share with your caterer.
Beach Picnic Ideas
For a service by the sea, we’ve selected “Mexican Pasta Salad” (see image below, far left), “Chicken Pesto Skewers” (top centre), “Pinwheel Roll Ups” (bottom centre), “Oatmeal Raisin Cookies” and “Snickerdoole Cookies” (bottom right).
And, of course, no event is complete without a beautiful charcuterie board with different cheeses, crackers, vegetables, fruits, nuts and dips (top right).
These recipes were carefully selected based on the ingredients used, storage needs and serving temperature to ensure that your meal on the beach does not disappoint.
Canapé Ideas (For a Formal Reception)
Guests always appreciate being offered appetizers before the sit-down dinner. Here are our favourite ocean-inspired one-bite appetizers would make a perfect addition to the menu.
“Crab Stuffed Mushrooms” (top left), “Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Scallops” (top centre), “Mini Crab Cake Bites” (top right), “Flip-Flop Mini Sandwiches” (bottom left), “Mini Shrimp Cocktail” (bottom second from the left), “Smoked Salmon, Dill & Caper Crostini” (bottom second from the right), and “Cucumber & Smoked Salmon Canapé” (bottom right).
Salad Ideas (For a Formal Reception)
Once guests take their seats, the first course is often a fresh salad. Here are some lovely salad ideas for the celebration of life reception.
“Tuna Pasta Salad” (left), “Strawberry and Mango Salad” (top centre), “Peach Salad with Pistachios” (top right), and “Edamame Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing” (bottom right).
Main Dish Ideas (For a Formal Reception)
The first thing you think of when you think of food and the beach is seafood! For this reason, many of these recipes feature seafood in some way.
However, if you or your guests are not fond of seafood, you can easily substitute a different protein that the one that’s indicated in these main dish recipes.
Here are some delicious main meal ideas: “Creamy Lemony Pressure Cooker Risotto” (left), “Blackened Fish Taco” (centre), and “Honey Dijon Glazed Salmon” (right).
Side Dish Ideas (For a Formal Reception)
Here are some delicious side dishes that pair well with the main dishes that we presented above: “Sautéed Asparagus” (left), “Scalloped Potatoes” (centre), and “Garlic Butter Shrimp With Lime and Cilantro” (right).
Dessert Ideas (For a Formal Reception or a Beach Picnic)
A meal just doesn’t feel complete without something sweet to finish it off.
Here are our favourite sweet treats for “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean.” Not only do they taste delicious, they remind us of the ocean.
“Almond Sand Dollar Cookies” (left), “Mermaid Candy Bark” (top centre), “Beach Ball Doughnuts” (top right), “Sea Glass Candy” (bottom centre), and “Cupcakes with Sea Foam Green Icing and Chocolate Shells” (bottom right).
Thoughtful Funeral Favour Ideas
A growing trend is to give guests a small parting gift, both as a memento of the ceremony and as a “thank you” for their support.
Here are some inspiring ideas for favours that tie in beautifully with an ocean-themed celebration of life or memorial service.
We love these “Personalized Sparklers” where you can add your loved one’s name and a beautiful quote (left), as well as these “Miniature Beach Pail Candles” (top right).
If you prefer edible funeral favours, consider “Chocolate Seashells” presented in clear foil wrap (top centre), or “Foiled Covered Chocolate Seashells” presented in a miniature burlap sack with a starfish stencil (bottom centre).
One of the prettiest edible funeral favours is the “Sea Glass Candy” presented in a small square glass jar with cork stopper (bottom right).
(Please see our “Beach Theme Reference List for shopping details for all of our funeral favours.)
Why It’s Important to Work With Professionals
When it comes to planning a celebration of life or memorial service, it’s highly advisable to engage the services of experienced professionals, like a funeral director and a celebrant, for 3 vital reasons.
(1) They are Skilled Facilitators
Unlike weddings where only one person’s opinion matters, (i.e. the bride), many family members typically want to have a say when it comes to end-of-life ceremonies.
Since a time of loss is a stressful time for a family, it’s often difficult to arrive at a consensus about what a fitting ceremony looks like. It may even instigate family in-fighting and reopen old wounds.
Engaging the services of a highly-trained funeral director and celebrant will greatly help diffuse any tension that may arise.
They’re experts at facilitating productive conversations about how to best design a personalized ceremony that honours your loved one’s values, relationships and legacy.
(2) They are Experts in Creating “A Fitting Farewell”
An end-of life ceremony should never be a “cookie-cutter” experience. It should be as unique and special as your loved one was in life.
Funeral directors and celebrants are able to openly listen to all ideas expressed by the family and curate them. These ideas can then be incorporated into the funeral ceremony.
A skilled professional will provide guidance about which ideas work best, based on their years of experience. They’ll also offer specific and creative suggestions of their own to help the ceremony design process.
They’re truly committed to ensuring that your loved one’s life is honoured in a meaningful way and that it’s a rich experience for everybody who participates in this final goodbye.
(3) They Allow You to Focus on Saying Goodbye
If you chose to organize and run the service yourself, you’ll have to deal with the hundred-and-one logistical issues that arise when coordinating an important event.
It’s important to the grieving process to focus all your attention on saying goodbye to your loved one.
DIY ceremonies may save you a few dollars, but aren’t worth it in the long-run because you’ll miss out on the catharsis that comes with being in the moment.
Instead, you’ll be distracted by the multitude of tasks that come with ensuring that the service runs smoothly. You may later deeply regret this choice and wish that you had hired professionals to handle everything instead.
How to find Caring Professionals in Your Area
Feeling inspired by our ideas on how to create “A Fitting Farewell for a Love Deeper Than the Ocean”?
We recommend searching our exclusive Business Directory for an amazing local funeral home, celebrant and florist to help you create a beautiful and meaningful celebration of life or memorial service. You’ll be in good hands.
If you like any of the celebration of life ideas shown in this article, please ask your funeral director to contact us at info@LiveLivesOn.com to request our “Beach Theme Reference List” which contains a detailed shopping list, tutorials and recipes.