Celebration of Life Party - YouLookFab Forum

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Celebration of Life Party

Thistle

Veteran

My husband's uncle lost his battle with cancer on Monday.

He did not want a funeral and requested a celebration of his life party. His wife is granting his request, and all of his family and friends have been invited to his favorite restaurant. The band he used to play in will be performing, and they are serving dinner.

Am I right to think it's okay not to wear black to such an event even though there will be no other funeral to attend?

Do you think if we all dressed in "church" clothes we'd be okay?

I've never been to anything like this, and they want even the kids to come.

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

You should dress like you were going to a dinner party. Seriously, this is what is meant by "Celebration of Life". We are going to one later this month for a friend's wife and will definitely be wearing something cheerful.

Anonymous

I agree that funeral wear does not seem right for a specifically non funeral event.

I"m guessing, but I'd think that it would be appropriate to wear a more dressed up version of what ever you would have worn to dinner at that restaurant with that person.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Awe I'm sorry for your loss. Yes dress for church and or dinner party. No black. It is a celebration of going home.

Sal

Veteran

I agree with the others - dinner clothes or party clothes. I would avoid an all black look.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I m sorry to hear that.l would not wear black something smart -ish in a cheerful colour sounds right.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree, not black. Celebration is the key word here, so I would wear something in a nice color you enjoy.

The Cat

Veteran

It would be wise not to wear all black. If you want to wear black, do mix it with one or two other colours. If in doubt, ask the deceased's wife or other close relatives. If this is not possible, I think a black skirt with a white blouse and a jacket in a colour like wine, purple or teal would be a "safe" outfit.

Toban

Veteran

I agree with the above posters and no black. Probably not too “party” either, so omit sequins and sparkles and overly ornament. Dressy dinner clothes.

Thistle

Veteran

Dressy dinner works.

Now to get something together for two little girls!

The Cat

Veteran

For your little girls, dresses, or skirt & blouse outfits, in any colours would be fine.

Kat

When my dad passed away about two and a half years ago, we had a celebration of life for him, per his request. I wore a dress that he had complimented me on many times, and it felt like exactly the right choice. It was a dress that could have been worn to a dressy dinner.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What a great idea. I like this "celebration of life" party idea.

Thistle, absolutely no need to wear black, or even dark clothes. Dressy dinner or church outfit sounds perfect, and I'm sure your girls will look as cute as a button.

Anonymous

Celebration of Life calls for bright happy clothes. I think dressing up in church clothes will show respect and honor uncle’s memory. The family will appreciate that you cared enough to dress for his celebration.
My sympathies to the family on your loss.

DonnaF

Veteran

I attend many more Celebrations of Life than funerals. If there is a color or a look that this uncle enjoyed, I would try to wear that. A woman in my church who ALWAYS wore turtlenecks recently died and I would have worn one to her service had we not had a bit of a heat wave that weekend. She knitted many sweaters for her husband, and for his Celebration of Life we were instructed to wear colorful sweaters.

Style Fan

Veteran

What a lovely idea. If there is something that you know the uncle liked then that might be nice to wear.
My sympathies to your family.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sorry for your loss, Thistle. I concur with everyone that black is not the thing for this event.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

My condolences to your family. The party sounds like a lovely idea. I’m planning something similar for my mother later this year (to mark her passing and also what would have been her 82nd birthday). I hope everyone will wear what makes them happy.

Thistle

Veteran

It's supposed be cold here this weekend and rainy. As in high in the low 40s.

Maybe I will go dig out some sweater dresses for the girls.

The 6yo gets what's happening after living through losing two pets, but the 3yo doesn't. And that's okay. She'll be a goofball, and that's okay, too. Or so I keep telling myself.

cindysmith

Veteran

I've been to something very much like this. A dear friend's 13 y.o. son committed suicide, and they celebrated his life. We even danced. Wear something that you feel is appropriate to celebrate what he meant to your husband, maybe? Or wear a tshirt from his band, that would be a good tribute

Helen11

Veteran

Thistle, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It can feel a bit difficult to take kids to funerals/ celebration of Life, but it's ok if the 3yo behaves like a 3yo! I'm sure all the relatives and friends will dote on them, and the kids will remember the "party". Dress them in something comfortable. At least in my experience, any perceived 'dress code' is much more relaxed for children.

Toban

Veteran

At funerals for loved ones (stepfather and father-in-law, so in the closest circle of grieving family), it was the children (my nieces and nephews) that kept me centered and accepting of the circle of life. Your daughter’s goofball antics will be just right and appropriate. I have pictures of my 9 year old niece using my scarf as rhythmic gymnastic dance as one celebration of life was winding up, with her 7 year old brother photo bombing her by jumping into the camera view. Those were special moments to me, in midst of great sadness and worry for my mother. Ignore any stick in the muds who think it must be a solemn occasion for kids.

Liz

Veteran

Your outfit plans sounds perfect. And don't worry about your girls -- what they will wear or how they will act. At all our family funerals, I have loved having the kids there just being kids, like normal. It's such a tender reminder that there is more than death. That there is another generation. They also give the adults a way to take a small break from the grief and mourning, as they care for or talk with a small child.

Freckles

Veteran

I've been to lots of these and you never know. Some are like funerals and others are like parties. Wear something comfortable as your kids will be along and you may have to do a lot of squatting or getting down on the floor.
These days I think anything goes, for a funeral or celebration of life.
I"m so sorry for your loss, it's so sad to miss people who are important in our lives.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Thistle --

Very sorry for your loss. Totally agree with the sentiments upthread...if you all are comfortable-to-festive it will be fine.