It might be a weird thought, but have you ever noticed how weddings and funerals are surprisingly similar?
Let’s talk about this.
Our website is supported by our users. We sometimes earn a commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website. See our privacy policy & disclosures for more information.
Weddings and Funerals
It’s true. Check it out – weddings and funerals are similar because in each:
- Everyone gets dressed up
- There are flowers
- There is a guest book
- The decor is pretty much the same
- Everyone you know is there, plus some odd family members you barely know
- People bring cards, some of which have money in them
- Things are organized by a priest/pastor/funeral(or wedding) director
- Family argues about the service and/or decor
- There’s a reception afterwards with a meal, potluck, finger foods, or just dessert
- It’s an event about someone you love
- Family and friends honor a milestone in someone’s life
- A notice often gets printed in the local newspaper
- There are specialty websites you can create for each
- Guests will often get personalized or eco-friendly favors
It’s not a bad life if your wedding and funeral are both celebrated with lots of family and friends gathered around to honor you in a weighty ceremony, share humorous and touching stories about your life, enjoy a nice meal together, and have great hope for the next stage of your journey.
Stuff You’ll Find at Both Weddings & Funerals
Here’s a few specific features that you will tend to find at both weddings and funerals.
An Elegant RSVP Invite
What’s inside? Is it a “save the date” for the happy couple’s wedding? Or is an invitation to a “celebration of life” for a departed family member? Hard to tell…
Creative Guest Books
This shadow box guest book is popular for both funerals and weddings.
Flowers Galore
Look at these gorgeous wedding flowers! Oh wait, she’s going to set them on a on a casket…
Unique Favors
These antique key bottle openers are the trendy favor right now – for both weddings and funerals. We have a whole list of unique memorial service favors, any of which can be used at weddings as well.
Decorative Candle Accents
The entry table, family area, or the reception tables are often accented with cute candles such as any of these easy DIY candles. You’ll find them at weddings and funerals alike.
Dressed-Up Kids Playing Cornhole
These kids can’t tell the difference between a wedding and a “life celebration event.” They have to dress up for both, they’re both boring, there’s usually food, and finally they get to play cornhole.
Lots of Food at the Reception
Hard to tell, looking at this photo, if we’re at a small family wedding or a post-funeral reception. In either case, there’s always food.
Weird Family Members Doing Their Thing
We all have those weird family members who just do their thing. Doesn’t matter if it’s a funeral or a wedding; they’ll be there.
Similar Yet Different
In short, weddings and funerals are interesting in how similar the trappings are. Yet they are so very different in many other ways… but that’s for another post.
How else have you found weddings and funerals to be surprisingly similar?
Daniel has been working in the funeral industry since 2010, speaking directly to grieving families as they made funeral arrangements.
He began researching and publishing funeral articles on this website as part of his role as product and marketing manager at Urns Northwest.
Having written hundreds of articles and growing the site to multiple millions of views per year, Daniel continues to write while providing editorial oversight for US Urns Online’s content team.