Let’s face it: funerals have a PR problem. You don’t get to enjoy them. You’re the main character of the show, yet you miss the speeches, the music, the colleague from work you didn’t much like crying into a stale sandwich. Worse still, you can’t even correct the record when someone says, “She never swore a day in her life.” (You did, frequently, and with flair.)
Enter: the Living Funeral.
It’s like a traditional funeral, only with more hors d’oeuvres, less embalming fluid, and - crucially - you’re still alive to attend it.
So… what exactly is a Living Funeral?
Think of it as a mash-up between a retirement party, a spiritual send-off, and the kind of surprise party where nobody yells “surprise” because, well, that might be risky.
Guests gather to celebrate your life - while you’re still here to hear it. There might be music, speeches, storytelling, laughter, and possibly karaoke (because nothing says “I lived well” like belting out ABBA in front of your grandchildren). It can be as reverent or as ridiculous as you want. Some are candlelit and ceremonial; others are more prosecco-and-party hats.
It’s not about rehearsing your death. It’s about rehearsing your gratitude - for life, for people, for the chance to say what matters most before it’s too late.
Why are people choosing them?
Funerals are packed with heartfelt words, but the one person who deserves to hear them usually misses the memo. Living funerals flip the script - you get the love letters, tributes, and stories directly to your face (and let’s be honest, you’ve earned that ego boost).
Talking about death tends to make people shuffle their feet and check their phones. But a living funeral turns it into something liberating, even joyful. It opens conversations about mortality in a way that’s strangely life-affirming.
Instead of wondering what people might say when you’re gone, you get to shape the narrative. Want to be remembered as the wild adventurer, the master baker, the karaoke queen? Here’s your chance to cement the legend.
Skydiving? Sure. Swimming with dolphins? Lovely. But throwing your own funeral? Iconic. It’s one of those rare life experiences where the absurdity and profundity are perfectly balanced.
The Surprising Magic of Them
There’s something oddly profound about sitting in a room full of people who love you, knowing you’re all collectively acknowledging that time is finite - and deciding that’s not depressing, but beautiful.
It makes people laugh and cry in equal measure. It encourages honest conversations and healing of old wounds.
And for the guest of honour? It’s a gift of presence, of witness, of being able to soak up your own legacy without needing an afterlife livestream.
Where Life + Soul fits in
Here’s the thing: a living funeral sounds wonderful, but actually planning it? That can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start? How do you balance the sacred with the silly, the logistics with the love?
That’s where Life + Soul comes in. Our role is to:
Think of us less as an event planner, more as your guide. Someone to carry the details so you can simply show up - loved, celebrated, and completely yourself.
Is it for everyone?
Not necessarily. If the thought of being the centre of attention makes you break out in hives, a living funeral might feel like social torture. And some people still prefer the mystery of not knowing what people will say after they’re gone (though, spoiler: they’ll still mention that one embarrassing story).
But for many, the appeal is undeniable: to turn the most solemn ritual of life into a celebration of living well, and - dare we say - dying well too.
Final Thought
Living funerals aren’t about pretending death doesn’t exist. They’re about looking it square in the face, winking, and saying, “Not yet - I’ve still got one more party left in me.”
So why wait until you’re gone to have the send-off you deserve? Light the candles, cue the playlist, and invite the people who matter most. After all, life is short… and the guest list won’t write itself.
✨ If this idea sparks something in you - for yourself, or someone you love - I’d love to help bring it to life. Because at Life + Soul, we believe every life deserves a tribute as unique as the individual it honours.