Tips for planning a Life Celebration Gathering or Funeral Dinner at a Venue near Tulsa, OK

Tips for planning a Life Celebration Gathering for a Funeral at a Venue near Tulsa, OK

A Simple Program for a Life Celebration Gathering for Memorial Ceremony.

1. Choose a venue and decide on the amount you will budget for this event.

The first thing you need to do is to know how many people approximately will be attending so that you can choose a venue that will be large enough for everyone to have a place to sit at a table. You can host it at a family home, a favorite restaurant, a church hall, outdoors, or at a comfortable and beautiful venue. If your loved one had a special connection to a park or a certain location in the countryside where they grew up, then don’t be afraid to consider a very relaxed outdoor gathering if weather permits.

A large venue with trees and a road. — drone coverage done by Isaac Bell

At Bella Rosa Venue near Tulsa Oklahoma, we can accommodate everyone even the handicapped guest that are in wheelchairs. There is enough space for 200 people sitting at tables, but 125 guests make a sweet size group for Bella Rosa Venue. It’s nice to get a place that has plenty of outdoor space, lots of room under porches to play games, and lawns and meadows around it to give it that private and peaceful feel. If it’s a place on a slight hill that overlooks miles of countryside with skyline views, that’s an extra bonus. Make a point to pick a venue that has comfortable seating and a good sound system besides a big screen to show a slides too.

Graduation gathering in a venue near Tulsa — Life Celebration Family gathering

2. Plan and let people know when and where digitally to save you time and effort. Here is an example of an invitation.

Invitation to life celebration venue near Tulsa — Invitation to memorial dinner

Set the right atmosphere with music, comfort, and décor that will encourage memories of the loved one’s life.• Take the time to help someone prepare a slide show that shows special moments in their life or show a video montage celebrating their life.
• It is comforting to display photos of your loved one as part of the center piece on each table. One can also incorporate candles, flowers, or other personal items that reflect the loved one’s personality and interests.
• One can also make a memory board or designate a table for pictures and mementos that speak love and comfort to the family.

It is a good idea to either hire a photographer or appoint someone to take pictures during the day because it’s not likely that one will meet up ever again with this group and children grow and change so quickly. Here are a couple I can recommend KyleeReneePhotography

• Make a playlist of their favorite songs, or use the following list of songs that are warm and reflect on their life:
1. “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler
“Did you ever know that you’re my hero? / And everything I would like to be? / I can fly higher than an eagle / For you are the wind beneath my wings.”
2. “Over the Rainbow” – Judy Garland/Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
“Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high / And the dreams that you dream of / Once in a lullaby.”
3. “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
“My heart will go on and on.”
4. “Go Rest High on That Mountain” – Vince Gill
“Go rest high on that mountain / Son, your work on Earth is done.”
5. “I Can Only Imagine” – MercyMe
“Surrounded by Your glory / What will my heart feel? / Will I dance for You, Jesus / Or in awe of You be still?”
6. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver
“Take me home, country roads / To the place I belong.”
7. “You Raise Me Up” – Josh Groban
“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains / You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.”
8. Diamond Rio’s “One More Day With You”
9. Amazing Grace by John Newton sung by your favorite artist or Allen Jackson
10. Jenn Bostic “Jealous of the Angels” is one of my personal favorites that was sung at my daughter, Kayleah’s funeral. It says:
“I didn’t know today would be our last
That I’d have to say goodbye to you so fast
I’m so numb, I can’t feel anymore
Praying you’d just walk back through that door . . .”

Women's Gathering and Life Celebrations near Tulsa — Celebrating with Family at Bella Rosa Venue near Tulsa OK

3. Plan the Meal Thoughtfully
• Consider a potluck if family and friends want to contribute where everyone brings a prepared recipe and the dishes are all placed on a table where they can each serve themselves; or you can have a restaurant catered the meal in and set up a buffet line; or the simple way but the most expensive is to hire a catering company that will serve everyone sitting at beautifully dressed tables.
• If there is a certain food that everyone knows the person enjoyed a lot, or a comfort food that brings this group of people together, plan on serving that. Otherwise decide on a food theme within your budget. Here are some ideas: Nacho or Taco Bar, Soup n Sandwiches, Charcutier boards, Italian with Salad, Grilled or Fried Chicken, BarBQ, or Roast Dinner. Keep in mind the number of guests and your budget.
• Ask someone to pray a prayer of gratitude for the meal and the blessing of fellowship with each one who came and the privilege to have know the person lost. This will mark the beginning of the meal
• Encourage guests to eat, share memories, and comfort one another as they honor the memory of the loved one.
• Beforehand, place lined cards and pencils on each table for people to write their memories, tributes, or comforting words for the family.

Memorial at venue near Tulsa commemorating a departed loved one — Remembering a loved one – Canva

4. Include Memory Sharing during the meal or the ceremony.
• While it’s a time of mourning, remember to encourage laughter and joyful reminiscing. Share the uniqueness of their life with personal touches, such as a theme that represents their passions (sports, music, nature, etc.).
• Open the floor for family and friends to share stories, anecdotes, or special moments at the mic.
• Provide a big bowl or basket where people can place their cards and notes from the table with words to the immediate family, stories, or memories.
• Create a tribute table with the loved one’s meaningful accomplishments.
5. Plan to give a meaningful takeaway, depending on your budget
• Provide small keepsakes, like personalized candles, seed packets, or photo cards with a favorite quote or saying from your loved one.
• Consider making a memorial book with shared stories and pictures for close family members.

Here is a Simple Life Celebration Program Outline
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks (5 minutes)
• Acknowledge the purpose of the gathering—to celebrate and remember the life of your loved one and let everyone know you appreciate them coming.
• If the gathering is a memorial service plan to have the obituary read and give an opportunity for people to share special tributes to the life lived.
2. Ask a respected friend to give a blessing or a speech, a short prayer, scripture reading, or a story about the deceased loved one’s that the guest would appreciate reflecting on.

Life Celebration meal at venue near Tulsa OK — Canva picture of a food buffet with round chaffing dishes

3. Meal & Conversation (30–45 minutes)
• A prayer of gratitude for the meal and the blessing of fellowship will mark the beginning of the meal or one can do a moment of silence before the meal to honor their memory
• Encourage guests to eat, share memories, and comfort one another.
4. Memory Sharing (20–30 minutes)
5. Slideshow or Tribute Video (10 minutes)
6. Closing Remarks & Toast (5 minutes)
• A final toast or heartfelt words to honor their legacy.
• Optionally, give out small keepsakes like candles, seed packets, or memory cards.
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Memorial Gathering at venue near Tulsa, OK — Dinner at Bella Rosa Venue near Tulsa OK

Sample Speech for Opening Remarks
“Good evening, everyone. On behalf of our family, I want to thank you all for being here today as we celebrate and remember the life of [Loved One’s Name]. It means so much to see so many people whose lives were touched by [his/her/their] kindness, laughter, and love.”
“Though today is a day of mourning, it is also a day of gratitude—gratitude for the love [Loved One’s Name] gave so freely, for the memories we shared, and for the lessons [he/she/they] taught us.”
“As we gather to share a meal, I invite you all to take this time to remember the joy [Loved One’s Name] brought into our lives. Please share stories, laughter, and love, just as [he/she/they] would have wanted. Let’s keep [his/her/their] spirit alive in our hearts.”
“Before we begin, I’d like to take a moment to honor [Loved One’s Name] with a brief silence (or a prayer, if appropriate). Thank you again for being here and for keeping [his/her/their] memory alive.”
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A beautifully-decorated reception room surrounded by windows — Banquet hall ready for a family gathering in Sapulpa venue near Tulsa

Sample Closing Remarks & Toast
“As we come to the close of this gathering, I just want to express my deepest appreciation for each and every one of you. Your love, support, and presence today mean the world.”
“While we may have lost [Loved One’s Name] physically, [he/she/they] will never truly be gone as long as we carry [his/her/their] stories, love, and kindness with us. So tonight, let’s raise a glass (or simply our hearts) in honor of a life well-lived, a soul well-loved, and a legacy that will never fade.”
“To [Loved One’s Name]—may we always cherish the moments we had, and may we honor [his/her/their] memory by living with the same love, kindness, and joy [he/she/they] showed us every day.”

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