Our Weekly Tip: Use Chinese Sky Lanterns to Memorialize a Loved One

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Our Tip of the Week: The concept of a person’s spirit ascending towards the heavens at the time of death is a common theme in many cultures and religions. It is also a comforting thought for those left behind — the image of a loved one’s soul soaring high above the clouds and entering the Great Beyond. The release of colorful Chinese sky lanterns is a wonderful way to express this concept at a memorial service or funeral.

How to Suggestions: Purchase an assortment of Chinese sky lanterns at a local party store or online. These inexpensive, miniature hot-air balloons come in a variety of colors; choose your loved one’s favorite color or a mix of their favorite color and your own. All white is beautiful as well. Let those who are attending the memorial know that lanterns will be available, and ask them to prepare a short statement or poem to recite as each lantern is released.

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Hold the memorial service at dusk if possible. As the sun begins to set, light a single candle to represent your loved one’s spirit. Use the candle to light one lantern as you speak your prepared words of love or good-bye. When you’re ready, release the lantern and watch it float away. Then hand the candle to the person next to you, and ask them to do the same. The lanterns will soar for up to 10 minutes as you and your loved one’s friends and family watch them float silently away against the darkening sky.