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Get ready to plan the perfect farewell for your loved ones on Create a Great Funeral Day, which occurs on Oct. 30! While funerals are often seen as a somber affair, this day encourages people to view it as an opportunity to celebrate and honor the life of the deceased in a meaningful and personalized way. This holiday was created by author Stephanie West Allen in 2009, who believed that funerals should not just be about mourning but also about celebrating the unique individual who has passed away. So let's make this day a special one by creating a beautiful and memorable send-off for our loved ones.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Creation of "Create a Great Funeral Day"</div><div class='timeline-text'>Author Stephanie West Allen creates this holiday with the belief that funerals should be a celebration of one's unique life.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Anniversary Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>The holiday gains momentum and is celebrated by many, encouraging personalized and meaningful funerals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Mainstream Media Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Major news outlets begin acknowledging Create a Great Funeral Day, helping to popularize the event and its purpose.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Community Events and Workshops</div><div class='timeline-text'>Community events and workshops start being organized, offering guidance on how to plan personally meaningful funerals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Create a Great Funeral Day starts gaining international recognition, with communities around the world starting to celebrate.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Online Resources Availability</div><div class='timeline-text'>Numerous online resources and planning templates become available, assisting in planning unique and personalized funeral services.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a personalized funeral service</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Instead of a traditional funeral, plan a personalized service that reflects the life and personality of the person who passed away. This could include incorporating their favorite music, photos, and memories shared by loved ones.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plant a memorial garden</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather friends and family to plant a garden in memory of the person who passed away. This can be a therapeutic and meaningful way to honor their life and create a lasting tribute.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share stories and memories</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Host a gathering where friends and family can share their favorite stories and memories of the person who passed away. This can be a beautiful way to celebrate their life and keep their memory alive.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a memory book</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather photos, quotes, and memories from loved ones to create a memory book for the person who passed away. This can be a cherished keepsake for family members and a way to remember their loved one.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a charity event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>In honor of the person who passed away, organize a charity event or fundraiser for a cause that was important to them. This can be a meaningful way to continue their legacy and help others in need.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>To honor and remember loved ones who have passed away</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Create a Great Funeral Day is a time to reflect on the lives of those we have lost and pay tribute to their memory. It's an opportunity to share stories, memories, and celebrate the impact they had on our lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>To provide closure and healing for family and friends</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Funerals can be a powerful way to say goodbye and find closure after a loss. Create a Great Funeral Day allows families and friends to come together and grieve in a supportive environment. It can also bring a sense of peace and healing during such a difficult time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>To help with funeral planning and preparation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Losing a loved one can be overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. Create a Great Funeral Day encourages people to plan ahead and make preparations for their own funeral, saving their relatives from having to make difficult decisions during a time of grief. It also reminds us of the importance of talking about end-of-life wishes with family members.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a Great Funeral Day Encourages Open Conversations About Death</h3><p class='facts-content'>This holiday aims to eliminate the taboo surrounding discussions of death and encourages individuals to talk about their end-of-life preferences openly with their families, helping to ensure their wishes are respected.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Stephanie West Allen, the Founder, is a Lawyer and Therapist</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before creating this day, Stephanie West Allen had a diverse career. She practiced law after which she moved on to neurotherapy, providing a unique understanding of the emotional complexities associated with funeral planning.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>This Day Encourages Exploration of Non-traditional Funeral Methods</h3><p class='facts-content'>In addition to discussing arrangements, this day also encourages exploration of non-traditional modes of funerals such as green burials, home funerals, or celebrations of life.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Includes Personalization Reflecting Decedent's Interests and Legacy</h3><p class='facts-content'>This holiday embarks on making the funeral more about celebrating the person's life and achievements, allowing loved ones to remember the deceased in a unique and personal manner.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Supports Pre-planning Funerals to Alleviate Family Burdens</h3><p class='facts-content'>Create a Great Funeral Day advocates for individuals to pre-plan their funerals, a practice that greatly reduces the logistical and financial burden placed on grieving families.</p></div></div>
Create a Great Funeral Day is celebrated on October 30 every year. In 2024, Create a Great Funeral Day will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
Oct 30
Monday
2024
Oct 30
Wednesday
2025
Oct 30
Thursday
2026
Oct 30
Friday
2027
Oct 30
Saturday
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