At Designers Choice, we work with many types of design projects, and we know that some are deeply personal.
Creating celebration of life invitations is one of the most personal projects a person can work on. This is often a tender time, and it can be hard to find the right way to honor someone. We believe that a celebration of life is a beautiful way to remember a person’s unique life.
It is different from a traditional funeral service. This guide is here to help you create a celebration of life invitation that truly honors the name of the person you loved. We want to assist you in finding the right words and the perfect invitation design to remember their remarkable life.
This is not a funeral invitation; it is a life invitation to gather and share memories and wonderful memories. We hope this article gives you a great starting point and makes the process a little easier.
What Are Celebration of Life Invitations? (And How They Differ From Funeral Announcements)
A celebration of life invitation is a notice you send to family members and friends to invite them to a celebration of life event.
This event focuses on the positive parts of a person’s life. It is about remembering their joys, their passions, and the good times you shared.
It is different from a memorial service, which can sometimes be a bit more formal, or a funeral service, which often happens very quickly after a person passes.
Celebrations of life give people space and time to plan an event that feels true to the person they are honoring.
The celebration of life invitation is the first thing guests will see, so it sets the tone for the entire memorial event.
Understanding the Purpose: Honoring A Life Lived
The main purpose of a celebration of life is right in the name: “celebration.”
Instead of focusing only on the sadness of loss, it focuses on the gift of the unique life that was lived. The celebration of life invitation should reflect this. The goal is to bring people together. It’s a time for close friends and close family to support each other.
It’s an event where people feel comfortable laughing about favorite memories and sharing stories. The invitation tells them, “This is a safe place to remember and honor a loving memory.” This type of service is all about honoring the person’s remarkable life in a positive way.
Setting A Positive and Uplifting Tone
The tone of celebration of life invites is perhaps the biggest difference.
They often use brighter colors and a hopeful color scheme.
The language is positive. While it is still a tender time, the focus shifts from sadness to gratitude.
A celebration of life ceremony might include playing the person’s favorite music, showing happy photos, or even enjoying their favorite food.
If you are planning to show a memorial video or slideshow during the event, you might need to look into how to add music in CapCut or how to fade audio in DaVinci Resolve to ensure the tribute plays smoothly.
The celebration of life invitation starts this process. It helps guests know that this celebration of life service will be uplifting.
It’s not about sadly saying goodbye, but about saying “thank you” for the life they shared with you.
Key Differences From Traditional Funeral Cards
It’s helpful to see the differences clearly. Traditional funerals often have funeral announcements or funeral invitation cards that are very formal.
- Funeral Announcements: These are often sent just to inform people of the passing and the details of the funeral service. They are usually somber, with dark colors like black, grey, or navy blue. The wording is very formal and traditional. They are a memorial service invitation for a very specific, often religious, type of service.
- Celebration of Life Invitations: These invite people to participate in an event. The invitation design might feature photos of the person smiling, or use a simple background with a natural feel, like flowers or a landscape they loved. The invitation wording uses phrases like “Join us to honor,” “Remembering the joy,” or “Celebrating the remarkable life of…“
The key elements are different. A funeral invitation focuses on the schedule of the memorial service. A life invitation for a celebration focuses on the person and the memories.
Creating the Perfect Wording For Your Celebration of Life Invitations
Finding the right words can feel hard, especially when you are dealing with the face of loss.
But the celebration of life invitation wording doesn’t have to be complicated. The goal is to be clear, warm, and loving. You want to make sure all the important information is there, but also add a personal touch.
When typing out your invitation, accuracy matters; you might want to check does Canva has spell check or use a grammar tool to ensure everything is perfect before printing.
Essential Information to Include (The 5 Ws)
Like any invitation, your celebration of life invitation must include the basic event details. These are the essential details that guests need to know.
- The Honoree’s Full Name: Make sure to clearly state the name of the person you are honoring. You can use their full name and perhaps a nickname they were known by. This is the most important part. To make their name stand out beautifully, you can learn how to curve text in Canva or how to outline text in Canva for a sophisticated look.
- Date, Time, and Venue of the Service: Be very specific. Include the full date, the start time (and end time, if you have one), and the full address of the venue. Don’t just say “The Community Hall“; write “The Milltown Community Hall, 123 Main Street, Milltown.” This prevents confusion.
- RSVP Details and Contact Information: Do you need to know how many people are coming? Include rsvp information. This can be a phone number or an email address for one or two family members. This helps with planning for food or seating.
- Information on Dress Code or Theme (e.g., “Wear bright colors”): This is one of the small details that makes a big difference. If the event is casual, let people know. A common special request for celebrations of life is to ask guests to avoid black. You can say, “In honor of [Name]’s bright spirit, please wear your favorite color,” or set a specific dress code like “Casual and colorful.” This helps set expectations.
Opening Lines: Setting the Tone
The first few words of the celebration of life invitation will set expectations for the event.
Examples: “Please join us to honor and remember…”
- “Please join us to honor and remember the remarkable life of [Name of the person].”
- “The family members of [Name] invite you to remember and share memories of a life well-lived.”
Examples: “We invite you to a joyful celebration of the life of…”
- “We invite you to a joyful celebration of the life of [Name].”
- “Let us gather to celebrate the wonderful memories and unique life of our dear [Name].”
- “You are warmly invited to a celebration of life event for [Name of the person].”
Including Personal Touches
A personal touch makes the celebration of life invitation feel special. This is a beautiful way to show who the person was.
- Adding A Meaningful Quote Or Poem: If the person had a favorite short poem, a line from a song, or a personal motto, adding it can be a meaningful way to honor them. Keep it short.
- Mentioning A Favorite Hobby Or Passion: A simple, short description can add so much. For example: “In loving memory of [Name], who loved his garden and bright colors.” Or, “We will share memories of [Name], our favorite fisherman.” This helps guests connect with the person they are coming to honor.
Celebration of Life Invitation Wording Examples & Templates
Here are a few celebration of life templates to help you get started. You can use these as a great starting point and change them to fit your needs. These can be used for a celebration of life invitation template in a design tool or for writing out by hand.
Template 1: Simple and Heartfelt
(Best for a general audience, including close family and acquaintances)
Please join us in a celebration of life honoring the remarkable life of
[Name of the Person]
We will gather to share memories and remember the joy [He/She/They] brought to our lives.
[Date] [Time] [Full Address of the Venue]
A reception with light refreshments will follow. Please RSVP to [Email Address] or [Phone Number] by [Date]. In loving memory, the family.
Template 2: Casual and Uplifting
(Best for celebrations of life that are less formal)
Come celebrate a unique life! We are gathering to honor our dear [Name] at a celebration of life event.
Join us as we share memories, laugh, and remember all the wonderful memories we made.
[Date] at [Time] [Location/Full Address of the Venue] (e.g., “At [Name]’s favorite park” or “At the family home”)
Special Requests: [Name] loved bright colors, so please wear something cheerful! This is a casual event. Please bring your favorite memories of [Name] to share.
Questions? Call [Name] at [Phone Number].
Template 3: Formal and Respectful
(Best for a more formal memorial event or celebration of life service)
The family of [Name of the Person] Invites you to a celebration of life service in [his/her/their] honor.
We will gather to pay tribute to a remarkable life filled with kindness and joy.
[Date] [Time] [Name of Church or Venue] [Full Address of the Venue]
Following the celebration of life ceremony, please join the family members for a reception.
We kindly request rsvp information by [Date] to [Email Address]. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to [Charity Name] in [Name’s] loving memory.
Short Wording For Digital Or Text Invitations
When using a digital invitation or text, you need a short description.
“Honoring the remarkable life of [Name of the person]. Please join close friends and family for a celebration of life memorial on [Date, Time] at [Place]. For event details and to RSVP, please visit our memorial website: [Link]”
Design and Etiquette For Sending Invitations
The design and the way you send the celebration of life invites are also important details. These key elements help set the tone.
Choosing A Design: Photos, Colors, and Themes
The invitation design is your first chance to show that this is a celebration.
- Photos: Using a happy, smiling photo of the person is a beautiful way to honor them. If you have a photo that isn’t quite right, knowing how to flip an image in Canva or how to cut out an image in Canva can help you focus the image perfectly on their face. Sometimes, you may want to place them against a different backdrop; in that case, using the Canva background remover is very helpful.
- Color Scheme: Don’t be afraid of color. Soft blues, greens, or yellows can give a natural feel. A bright, colorful color scheme can show joy. If you use a template but want to change the picture, you can easily learn how to replace an image in Canva.
- Themes: If the person loved the beach, a simple background of the ocean can be a nice personal touch. You can search for specific Canva element keywords to find the perfect graphics, like flowers or doves. You can use an online design tool to make your own design or to use customizable templates.
Typography and Text
The way the text looks is just as important as what it says. You can browse a Canva fonts list to find a script that feels elegant and respectful.
If you have a specific font family associated with a program you are using, you might wonder you can upload fonts to Canva to maintain that specific style.
If the text feels too crowded, knowing how to wrap text in Canva can help with the layout.
Digital Vs. Printed Invitations: Pros and Cons
- Printed Invitations: A printed life invitation feels very personal. People can keep it as a remembrance. However, it takes more time and costs more.
- Digital Invitations: A digital invitation is fast, easy, and often free. If you send a PDF, learning how to add a clickable link in Canva PDF is useful so guests can click directly to RSVP or view a map. You can use services like Paperless Post or find free online celebration of life invitations. You can send them easily to a large email address list or share them on social media (though a private message or group is often better). This is a great option for reaching many people quickly.
When to Send Celebration of Life Invitations?
This is a big difference from funeral announcements.
For traditional funerals, invitations are sent immediately. For celebrations of life, you have time. It is very common for a celebration of life ceremony to happen weeks or even months after the person has passed.
This gives the close family time to plan a meaningful way to honor their loved one without feeling rushed during a tender time. A good rule is to send the celebration-of-life invites 2 to 4 weeks before the event.
Who to Send Invitations To?
You should send invitations to anyone you think would want to attend to honor the person. This includes:
- Close family members
- Close friends
- Extended family members
- Co-workers or old colleagues
- Neighbors
- Anyone who was a part of their unique life would want to share memories.
FAQ’s:
When Should You Send Out Celebration of Life Invitations?
You should send the celebration of life invitation at least 2 weeks before the celebration of life event. Four weeks is even better, especially if people need to travel. Unlike a funeral invitation, there is no rush. Take the time you need to plan the memorial event.
Is It Appropriate to Send Celebration of Life Invitations Via Email Or Social Media?
Yes, it is very appropriate. A digital invitation is common today. You can send an email with the celebration of life template attached, use a service like Paperless Post, or create a private event on social media. This makes it easy to share event details and collect rsvp information.
What is the Most Important Information to Include on the Invitation?
The most important information includes three key elements:
- The name of the person you are honoring.
- The essential details of the event: the date, time, and full address of the venue.
- RSVP information, such as a phone number or email address, so you can plan. To make this easier for tech-savvy guests, you could include a QR code, but make sure to check: Do Canva QR codes expire?
How Do We Word the Invitation to Make It Clear It’s A “Celebration” and Not A Somber Funeral?
Use the right words! Your invitation wording is everything.
Use phrases like “celebrate the life of,” “joyful remembrance,” or “honoring a remarkable life.”
Also, the invitation design itself, with a bright color scheme or a happy photo, will show that this is not one of traditional funerals.
What If We Are Asking Guests to Do Something Specific?
These are special requests and you should make them clear on the celebration of life invitation.
Examples include: “In place of flowers, please donate to [Charity Name],” “Please bring your favorite memories or a photo to share,” or “A specific dress code is requested: Please wear [Color] in [Name’s] honor.”
This helps set expectations. To draw attention to these requests, you might want to highlight text in Canva or place it in a separate box.
Conclusion
Creating a celebration of life invitation is one of the most meaningful ways to honor a close family member or close friend.
This life invitation is more than just a piece of paper or an email; it’s the start of a beautiful way to heal and remember.
It brings people together to share memories and celebrate a unique life.
Adding a personal touch is important, whether you opt for customizable templates, choose free online invitations for a celebration of life, or craft your own design using a design platform, since it’s the little things that make the occasion meaningful.
If you are designing it yourself, you might be wondering if Canva Pro is worth it for access to premium images and fonts; often, you can learn how to get Canva Pro for free via a trial period to create that one perfect design. However, be mindful of image usage; knowing are Canva images are copyright-free or asking if you can use stock photos without permission is important if you plan to print invitations professionally.
Sometimes, especially in a place like the Los Angeles area, you might find a team of caring memorial planners who offer a memorial service package.
But even if you do it all yourself, starting with a good celebration of life invitation template is a great starting point.
This memorial event, this celebration of life memorial, is a powerful way to honor a loving memory. We hope this guide helps you create an invitation that is just as special as the person you are remembering.
