Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. In the midst of grieving, it can be hard to know where to begin when it comes to planning a celebration of life. A celebration of life is a way to honor someone’s memory and reflect on the impact they made. These types of memorial services are often more casual and focus on sharing stories and memories rather than adhering to formal traditions.
One way to help spread the word about an upcoming celebration of life event is to create a Facebook event page. Facebook provides a platform to efficiently communicate details about the service to the honoree’s friends, family members and acquaintances. Creating a Facebook event can eliminate the need to call or email every single person individually. It also serves as a centralized location where people can RSVP, ask questions and post memories or condolences.
If you’ve been tasked with arranging a celebration of life on Facebook, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step. We’ll cover creating the event, customizing settings, adding details, and promoting it. Follow these tips to ensure the Facebook event successfully honors your loved one’s life.
Step 1: Create the event
The first step is to navigate to Facebook and create a new event. Here’s how:
1. Log into your Facebook account on a desktop computer or mobile device.
2. Click on the “Events” tab in the left side navigation bar.
3. Click the “+ Create Event” button in the upper right corner.
4. Select the “Celebration of Life” option. There are also options for “Funeral Service” and “Memorial Service.”
Once you choose “Celebration of Life,” a page will open where you can begin adding key details about the event.
Choosing the right title
Start by titling your event. Keep it simple by including the person’s first and last name. For example:
“Celebration of Life for Jane Doe”
Some other title ideas:
– “A Celebration Honoring John Smith”
– “Celebrating the Life of Michelle Johnson”
– “In Loving Memory of James Williams”
The title should make it clear this is a celebration of life service while highlighting who it is for. Just the person’s name is direct and to the point.
Selecting the location
Next, enter the service’s location by clicking “Add Location.” You can type in a specific address or name of a venue. If the service will be held at the person’s home, simply write “The home of the Jones Family.”
Choosing a location will allow Facebook to generate a map on the event page. This makes it easy for attendees to know exactly where to go. The location also appears in the event preview on your news feed to catch the attention of local friends.
Picking the date and time
Use the date selector to choose the day of the celebration of life. Then enter the start and end time.
Consider how long the service will take. An hour or two is typical for a celebration of life. Make sure to account for any mingling time before or after. Setting an end time even 30 minutes after the service wraps up gives people flexibility if they want to stay and chat.
Facebook will automatically display the date and time in each guest’s local timezone. This prevents any confusion.
Step 2: Customize privacy settings
Once you’ve added the basics like the title, location and date, decide who can see and interact with the Facebook event. You have a few options:
Public
A public event is visible to anyone on Facebook. Even people not invited can see all the details.
Public events can help spread awareness about the service. However, it means anyone could potentially see private details about the deceased. Use caution sharing a home address publicly.
Friends of guests
This option makes the event visible to all invited guests as well as their friends on Facebook.
It will reach a wider audience than just invited guests. People who knew the deceased through others will learn about the service.
Invite only
An invite-only celebration of life event is only visible to people you specifically add to the guest list.
The details remain private to anyone not invited directly. This gives you full control over who can participate.
Choose whichever setting seems most appropriate based on the situation. For a very public figure, a public event may make sense. For most private individuals, invite-only or friends of guests is the best fit.
Step 3: Build out event details
Once you’ve set the basics like title, location and privacy, it’s time to fill out key details about the celebration of life.
Adding a description
Use the description field to share an overview of what guests can expect at the service. Mention any special requests or guidelines for attendees.
Some things to include:
– Dress code – Let guests know if attire should be casual, business or full formal.
– Photo slideshow – If you’ll display photos, note that guests are welcome to contribute any favorite pictures of the deceased.
– Potluck – For a more casual event, you can ask each guest to bring a dish to share.
– Flowers – Include whether people should send flowers for a display at the venue. Provide delivery details.
– Charity donations – Suggest charitable organizations to make donations to in lieu of gifts or flowers.
Keep the description brief with 3-5 concise sentences or bullet points covering key information.
Adding photos/videos
Help guests feel connected to the celebration of life by using photos and videos.
You can upload:
– A favorite photo of the deceased
– Images from throughout their life – as a baby, child, young adult, etc.
– Photos of the person with family and friends
– Videos featuring special memories
Visuals make the event page more dynamic. They also prompt guests to reflect on their relationship and the good times they shared.
Tagging co-hosts
If you are planning the event alongside family members or close friends, tag them as co-hosts.
As co-hosts they will also be able to edit event details. They’ll receive notifications and be able to help monitor posts and comments.
Naming co-hosts spreads the administrative workload. Tag anyone who you want to have full access to manage all aspects of the Facebook celebration of life event.
Step 4: Invite guests
Once your event page looks complete, it’s time to invite guests.
Start typing a name into the invite box. A dropdown will appear allowing you to select people to invite from your Facebook friends or groups.
Here are some tips for building your guest list:
Invite the deceased’s close contacts
Go through the honoree’s Facebook friends list and invite their family members, close friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
These are people who likely had a close relationship with the deceased and will want to participate in the celebration of life.
Invite your own close contacts
Think about your own Facebook friends and family who knew the deceased through you. Even if they weren’t directly connected to the deceased, they may want to show their support by attending.
Seeing familiar faces in the crowd can be comforting.
Invite groups and organizations
If the deceased was involved in any organizations like professional associations, sports teams, or alumni groups, invite the entire group.
You can search for the group name and add it directly. This ensures important communities they were part of are represented.
As invites go out, the guest list will build. Anyone who receives the invite can also share it with their contacts.
Track the RSVPs to get an idea of attendance. If needed, follow up with critical guests who have not yet responded.
Step 5: Spread the word
Simply creating the event does not ensure people will see and attend it. Use these tactics to maximize exposure:
Share on your timeline
Post about the celebration of life on your personal Facebook timeline. This shares it with all your contacts.
Encourage people to click “Interested” or “Going” by noting how much the honoree would appreciate their presence.
Ask people to help spread the word by sharing your post as well.
Promote in relevant groups
Does the deceased have a college alumni group, professional organization or local community group?
Join the group if you aren’t already a member and make a post about the upcoming celebration of life event. Include a link to the Facebook event page so people can easily click to learn more and RSVP.
This targets people who likely had a connection to the deceased.
Run a Facebook ad
For a very public event honoring an influential community member, you may want to run a paid Facebook ad.
You can create an ad promoting the celebration of life that will be displayed to thousands of Facebook users in your target location. Consider sponsoring the ad to extend its reach.
While this does cost money, it can be an incredibly effective way to spread the word far and wide.
Follow up personally
Even if you share the event widely, follow up with personal calls, texts or emails to VIPs you want to have in attendance.
Hearing directly from you about how much it would mean for them to be there can compel people to make room in their schedule. Don’t be afraid to gently prod close family and friends who have not yet RSVP’d.
Step 6: Add contributors
Typically, a celebration of life involves friends and family sharing memories and stories about the deceased.
As the event organizer, you can add contributors who plan to participate in this way:
Ask loved ones to contribute
Reach out to close family and friends who you’d like to have share stories at the event. See if they would be willing to prepare a few words ahead of time.
Let them know they’ll be added as a contributor who can post their stories directly to the event page. This gives guests a preview of what to expect.
Share favorite memories
Think about a meaningful story or heartwarming memory you have of the deceased. Post it directly to the event page as an example for others to follow.
Seeing you share vulnerable insights will prompt others to do the same.
Create contributor guidelines
To prevent complications, provide contributors guidelines about what they should and should not share.
For example, ask them to:
– Keep stories PG-rated and non-controversial
– Share specific memories vs general praise
– Mention how they knew the deceased
– Include any photos they have to accompany the story
With some polite guidance, contributors can feel empowered to appropriately honor the deceased.
Step 7: Manage administrative details
Especially if you expect a large turnout, work through logistics to ensure the event space is prepared:
Check capacity
Verify the venue can accommodate your estimated guest count. Funeral homes and places of worship often have capacity limits.
If needed, set a maximum capacity on the Facebook event and cut off RSVPs when it’s hit. You can also line up overflow space to accommodate any extra guests comfortably.
Define parking options
Look at parking availability at the venue itself as well as any nearby street parking, parking garages or lots.
Provide parking details on the event page so guests know their options. Appoint someone as a parking coordinator to direct and assist guests as they arrive.
Arrange AV needs
Determine any audiovisual needs for microphones, slideshow display, music, etc. Rent or arrange equipment and test it out in advance.
Recruit a tech-savvy volunteer to manage any presentations, cue music, and troubleshoot issues.
Organize food/refreshments
Decide if you’ll provide any food like baked goods, snacks or beverages. Keep it simple with self-serve items.
You can also enlist volunteers to handle food donations, distribute refreshments, and replenish as needed.
Designate setup/teardown helpers
Assign family members or friends tasks like:
– Arranging chairs
– Setting up and decorating tables
– Displaying photos, flowers, etc.
– Passing out programs
– Cleaning up at the end
Rallying volunteers will take the burden off you so can focus on welcoming guests.
Step 8: Create opportunities for guests to engage
The Facebook event page provides a space where friends and family can interact beyond just attending the service.
Share photos
Following the celebration of life, ask guests to share their favorite pictures from the event in the discussion tab.
Collecting all photos in one place makes it easy to save and distribute keepsakes from the meaningful occasion.
Sign a guestbook
Facebook allows you to create a question on the event page where guests can leave comments. You can use this as a virtual guestbook.
Prompt guests to post memories, well wishes or condolences the family can look back on.
Share charitable causes
Did the deceased have a favorite charity or cause they were passionate about?
On the event page, suggest making donations in lieu of flowers. Include links where guests can easily contribute online.
Post service details
After the service concludes, share details like the program order, speakers, and any special performances.
Guests will appreciate a recap if they had to miss the event or want to reflect on meaningful parts.
Send thank yous
Follow up by commenting on the event wall with a genuine thank you to all who attended or interacted on the page.
Showing your sincere appreciation completes the experience on a thoughtful note.
Conclusion
Creating a Facebook event for a celebration of life memorial provides a convenient way to spread the word about an upcoming service. With Facebook’s tools, you can easily honor a loved one by sharing details, media, memories, and more. Use these tips to ensure your Facebook celebration of life event successfully commemorates someone’s lasting legacy.