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Celebration of life

Celebration of life invitation wording

A celebration of life invitation needs the person's name, the date, time and place, and a line about the tone ("casual," "bring a story," "wear something bright"). Add an RSVP if you need a headcount and a note about children or dress if it matters. The wording can sound like the person you are celebrating.

Updated · Editorial lead: Jean-Claude Fatemian

Celebration of Life Kit · $49 Every text for the gathering, written from your memories of them: invitation, opening words, speech, program, toast and thank-you note.

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The sun setting over a calm sea below a line of cliffs
On this page

The examples on this page were written for TributePen. The people, names and details in them are invented: use them as a starting point, never as someone's real story.

What to include

  • Name (and nickname if people knew them by it)
  • Date, start and end time
  • Place, with parking or directions if useful
  • Tone: casual, formal, themed
  • RSVP contact if you need numbers
  • Dress guidance, children welcome or not, food or potluck
  • Donations in lieu of flowers, if the family prefers

A fill-in template

Copy it, fill in the brackets and delete any line you do not need.

Celebration of life invitation template
  • Please join us to celebrate the life of
  • [Full name, with nickname in quotation marks]
  • [Year of birth] – [Year of death]
  • [Day], [Month] [date], from [start time] to [end time]
  • [Place], [city]
  • [One line about the tone: "Come as you are," "Bring a story," "Wear something blue"]
  • [Food or drinks, if any: "Light refreshments will be served," "Potluck"]
  • [RSVP to [name] at [phone or email] by [date]]
  • [In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [organization].]

Classic wording

Formal card

formal

Please join us for a celebration of the life of
Margaret Ann Ellis
Saturday, October 24, from two until five o'clock
Riverside Community Hall
Refreshments will be served

For a printed card · 28 words · 169 characters
Why it works: clear and dignified. Make it yours: add an RSVP line if you need a headcount.

Email

simple

Dear friends, we invite you to celebrate Dan's life with us on Sunday, November 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at our home. Come as you are, bring a story, and stay as long as you like. Please let Monica know by October 28 if you can come.

For an email · 48 words · 228 characters
Why it works: friendly and complete. Make it yours: give a phone number for people without email.
A field of sunflowers under a cloudy summer sky
A field of sunflowers under a cloudy summer sky.

Casual and personal

Backyard

uplifting

Frank never missed a barbecue, so we're throwing one for him. Saturday, October 17, noon until the grill runs out, at the DeLuca house. Bring a lawn chair and your best Frank story.

For a backyard gathering · 33 words · 181 characters
Why it works: the invitation sounds like him. Make it yours: only with a family that wants a light tone.

Park

warm

Join us under the big oak in the park to remember Anna, who loved this place. Sunday, October 25, 3 p.m. We'll share stories, music she loved, and her lemonade.

For a gathering in a park · 30 words · 160 characters
Why it works: the place is part of the tribute. Make it yours: check the park's rules for groups.

Themed

simple

In honor of Coach Bill, please wear your team colors to his celebration of life on Friday, October 30, at 6 p.m. in the school gym.

For a themed gathering · 26 words · 131 characters
Why it works: the theme gives guests a way to take part. Make it yours: see what to wear to a celebration of life.

Social media and text

Post

simple

We will celebrate Jenny's life on Saturday, November 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Hall. Everyone who knew her is welcome. Please share with anyone who would want to be there.

For a social media post · 35 words · 191 characters
Why it works: it asks people to spread the word. Make it yours: never post a home address publicly.

Text

simple

Hi all, we've set the celebration of life for Grandpa: Saturday the 24th, 2 p.m., at the church hall. Potluck, bring a dish he'd have liked. Love you all.

For a text to family · 29 words · 154 characters
Why it works: short and practical for family. Make it yours: follow with a group message for details.

Announcement wording

When there is no guest list, the gathering is announced: in the obituary, on the funeral home's page, by email to a club or congregation, or as a "save the date" when it will be held later.

In the obituary

formal

A celebration of Walter's life will be held on Saturday, November 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Bend. All who knew him are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift to the county food bank, where Walter volunteered every Thursday.

For the last paragraph of an obituary · 48 words · 256 characters
Why it works: the obituary carries the gathering details to everyone who reads it. Make it yours: say "all are welcome" only if you mean it; otherwise give an RSVP contact.

Save the date

warm

Save the date: in the spring, when her garden is in bloom, we will gather to celebrate Rosa's life. Saturday, May 15, at the family farm. Details to follow; for now, keep the afternoon for her.

For a save-the-date for a gathering held months later · 36 words · 193 characters
Why it works: families often wait for a season or a place that meant something; a save-the-date lets people plan travel. Make it yours: send the full invitation three or four weeks before.

To a group

simple

Dear choir family, Helen's children have asked us to share that her celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 25, at 3 p.m. in the fellowship hall. They would love for the choir to sing "Be Thou My Vision," which Helen sang with us for thirty years. Please reply to Mary if you can take part.

For an email to a club, choir or congregation · 58 words · 302 characters
Why it works: a group leader shares the news and gives the group a role. Make it yours: name one person to collect replies.

After a private service

Open house

warm

Our family said goodbye to George in a small private service last week. Now I would love to see all of you who were part of his life. Please come by the house on Saturday, October 17, anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. There will be coffee, his famous chili, and plenty of time to talk. – Linda

For a spouse inviting friends after a private service · 57 words · 288 characters
Why it works: written in the first person, it explains the private service without apology and makes the open house feel like a welcome. Make it yours: "anytime between" signals people can come and go.

For planning ideas, see celebration of life ideas; to announce the death first, see death announcement wording.

Common questions

What do you say on a celebration of life invitation?

"Please join us to celebrate the life of [name]," the date, time and place, any dress or tone guidance, and an RSVP line if needed. A short personal line about the person makes it warmer.

How do you announce a celebration of life?

Share the name, the date, time and place, and whether everyone is welcome, in the obituary, on the funeral home's page, by email and on social media. A "save the date" works when the gathering is weeks or months away.

How far in advance should you send celebration of life invitations?

Two to four weeks is common when the gathering is held later, so people can travel. For a gathering within days of the death, share it as soon as details are set, often by text and social media.

Related guides

Would you rather not do this yourself?

A celebrant, a funeral home or a eulogy writer can help in person. Leave a short request and a partner professional may get in touch. Free to ask, no obligation; TributePen only passes it on.

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