Our Monthly Tip: Create a Celestial Celebration of Life

These pearlescent and star-shaped balloons are the perfect decoration for a celestial remembrance event.
Credit: Pinterest

Our Tip of the Month

A celestial-themed remembrance event can be a unique way to celebrate your loved one’s life with family and friends. By using decorations and activities that feature the stars, sun, moon and planets, you can honor the spiritual — and scientific — connection between our human life cycle and the cosmic elements.

Scientists have discovered that humans share about 97% of their atoms with stars. Our bodies are composed of most of the same elements as the celestial bodies in our galaxy; in other words, we are literally “made of stardust.” On a more esoteric level, humans have always associated the heavens with the mysteries of life after death. A celestial remembrance event can be a beautiful way to honor a loved one’s literal and/or spiritual reunion with the stars.

Serve space-themed refreshments, such as a cake decorated with stars and planets or homemade moon pies.
Credit: 100layercake.com

How-to Suggestions

Plan your celebration to coincide with a celestial event: Check the calendar for an upcoming full moon, equinox, or eclipse. The New York Times also has a comprehensive list of space and astronomy events, such as meteor showers and spacecraft launches, on its website.

Choose space-themed decorations: Find balloons, streamers, table settings and/or guest favors at your local party supply store or online. Choose decorations in colors such as black, silver, gold, and pearlescent hues to create a celestial look. You can also find space-themed party supplies that feature stars, suns, moons, and planets.

Edible glitter adds sparkle to desserts and drinks at a celestial remembrance event.
Credit: Beauty Crafter

Use edible glitter to make celestial refreshments: Many baking supply shops and even grocery stores carry edible glitter in a variety of colors. Use the glitter to decorate cakes or cupcakes or even make sparkly drinks for guests.

Honor your loved one with lights: If you are holding your celestial remembrance event at night, give your guests sparklers, candles, lanterns or LED balloons to light or hold. (Note that releasing balloons or lanterns can be harmful to the environment.) You can say a few words or share a memory of your loved one while you do so, or invite your guests to do the same.

Name a star after your loved one: Use a service like Star Register to honor your loved one with a star in their name. You can announce the gift at your celestial remembrance event or even include the registration certificate in your decorations. Someday, you may even be able to send your loved one’s ashes to the moon.

Whatever your views of the afterlife, the mystery and vastness of space can be an apt metaphor for processing death and grief. Honor your loved one’s life with a celebration of life itself — right down to the stardust.