Celebration of Life Invitation Wording

A celebration of life is usually planned by the family rather than a church, which means the invitation is theirs to write, and there is no form to copy from the funeral home. This guide gives the wording. Names and places are invented.

What every invitation must say

1. Whose life is being celebrated, by their full name
2. The day, the date and the time it begins, and if it is a drop-in, the time it ends
3. The place, with an address (people will search it on their phone)
4. Whether everyone is welcome or it is family and close friends
5. What to wear, if it is anything other than what people would guess
6. What to bring, or not: flowers, a dish, a memory, a donation
7. One way to reply or ask a question

A printed card or formal email

The family of
Jennifer Lynn Park
invites you to a celebration of her life
Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Point Defiance Park, Pavilion B
5400 N. Pearl Street, Tacoma

Wear something bright. She asked.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Tacoma General Foundation are welcome.
Questions: Sam Park, (253) 555-0142

An open, drop-in gathering

Please join us in remembering
André Luis Bautista
Saturday, September 27, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m.
Encanto Park, Ramada 3, Phoenix

Come when you can and stay as long as you like. There will be food, music and the Bronco. Bring a story about André if you have one; we will be collecting them.

A text message

Short, and it should read well when it is forwarded, which it will be.

Hi, this is Monica. We're celebrating André's life on Saturday Sept 27, 4 to 7 pm, at Encanto Park (Ramada 3). Everyone who knew him is welcome, and please pass this on to anyone I might have missed. No need to reply. Just come if you can.

A social media post

Say plainly whether it is public. A post travels further than the family intends, and a private gathering announced publicly draws a crowd.

We will be celebrating the life of our mom, Jennifer Park, on Saturday, July 18, at 2 pm at Point Defiance Park, Pavilion B. This is open to everyone who loved her, and that was a lot of people, so please come. Wear bright colours. She was very clear about that. If you'd like to do something in her memory, the Tacoma General Foundation was her choice. We'll share photos afterwards for those who can't be there.

For a private gathering

We are holding a small celebration of Dorothy's life for family and close friends on Sunday, September 14, at 1:00 p.m., at Linda's home, 418 Maple Court. We would love for you to be there. Please let Linda know by Wednesday so she can plan the lunch.

When it is weeks or months later

Many celebrations are held after a private burial, sometimes on a birthday or anniversary. Say so; people otherwise assume they missed the funeral.

Elmer Haskins was laid to rest privately in September. On what would have been his 92nd birthday, Saturday, November 8, the family invites everyone who knew him to a celebration of his life at the Ida Grove Community Center, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. There will be pie. He would have wanted you to look at the corn on the way in.

Lines that answer the questions people are afraid to ask

• Children: "Children are welcome." Or: "This will be a quiet gathering for adults."
• Dress: "Casual clothes, please; he never wore a tie in his life." Or: "Black is not required."
• Gifts: "Your presence is the gift." Or: "If you wish to give, the family suggests (charity)."
• Food: "Lunch will be served." Or: "A potluck; bring a dish if you can, and come anyway if you can't."
• Streaming: "For those far away, we will stream the gathering at (link) from 2 pm."