Celebration of Life Events in Orange County: Special Places to Visit
Table of Contents
- What is a Celebration of Life Event?
- Best Places to Host a Celebration of Life Event in Orange County
- Contact Opal Cremation for Direct Cremation Near Me
- FAQs
- Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
- Celebration of life events allow you to celebrate the life of your loved one in a casual setting.
- Memorial releases, potlucks, and readings are popular celebrations of life ideas.
- Several Orange County locations are ideal for celebrations of life, including parks, restaurants, coffee shops, wellness spas, and gardens.
- Opal can help with planning and offers all-inclusive packages for affordable cremation in Orange County and Southern California.
Celebration of Life events have become just as popular as funerals in recent years. They are typically more joyous, and you can put more care and planning into them. They differ from funerals, which are planned quickly and generally somber.
If you’re looking for Celebration of Life venues in Orange County, Opal offers a list of spots for every event commemorating a loved one’s life.
And Opal does more than provide support for your celebration of life events. We offer direct cremation in Orange County, Los Angeles, and Southern California. Our team offers all-inclusive services and one low fee without any hidden surprises.
Contact us at 888-714-8981 to learn more.
What is a Celebration of Life Event?
You may wonder, “What is a Celebration of Life event?” A Celebration of Life is a healthy and uplifting approach to acknowledging the passing of a loved one.
Traditional funerals tend to be somber and mournful. In contrast, a Celebration of Life tends to reflect the deceased’s personality and may include hobbies or charities the loved one was passionate about. For example, loved ones may gather to:
- Host a potluck that consists of the deceased’s favorite foods
- Plant a tree in their loved one’s honor
- Plan a musical event with their favorite music
- Release doves
- Share readings from the person’s favorite book or poems
A celebration of life provides the release and socialization we need to get past grief.
“Yet, becoming aware of one’s own grief, reaching out for professional or peer support, and owning your grief journey can open your awareness until you see grief you didn’t even realize was there.”
Award-winning activist Malkia Devich-Cyril in her article “Grief Belongs in Social Movements. Can We Embrace It?”
Best Places to Host a Celebration of Life Event in Orange County
There are several locations where you can host celebrations of life events in Orange County. Here are a few to consider:
Bear Coast Coffee: Ideal for Friends and Family
This local favorite has two locations, including one at Dana Point, but the one in San Clemente is perfect for when family is in town since it is across the street from the San Clemente Pier. It offers the ideal opportunity to get a cup, walk the pier, and catch up.
The San Clemente Pier could also make a wonderful place to hold a Celebration of Life service, as it’s right on the beach and is known for its beautiful sunsets. Plus, there’s plenty of parking!
Bear Coast Coffee
618 ½ Avenida Victoria
San Clemente, CA 92673
San Clemente Pier
Avenida Victoria
San Clemente, CA 92672
The pier in San Clemente, Orange County, California
Lazy Dog Restaurants: Great for a Family-Friendly Meal
Naturally, friends and family from out of town for a memorial service might need something more substantial than coffee. If that’s the case, consider taking them to Lazy Dog Restaurants. With a kid-friendly menu, brunch, and happy hour options, this local spot is perfect for families and kids.
Lazy Dog Restaurants are scattered across Orange County, with locations in Irvine, Huntington Beach, Westminster, and Orange.
Orange
1623 West Katella Avenue
Orange, CA 92867
Huntington Beach / Westminster
16310 Beach Blvd
Westminster, CA 92683
Irvine
13290 Jamboree Rd
Irvine, CA 92602
Opal tip: Planning to celebrate your loved one’s life with a meal? Stay away from processed, high-sugar foods that cause depression. Instead, choose items high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, protein, and complex carbohydrates.
Noguchi Gardens: A Quiet Place to Reflect in Orange County
Want to go somewhere that represents California artistically, while providing a peaceful spot for contemplation? Then Noguchi Garden fits the bill.
Located in Costa Mesa, this sculpture garden is situated on 1.6 acres and features design elements that symbolize characteristics of the Golden State.
The garden is free and open to the public, and is a great spot to collect one’s thoughts. It also has the potential to be a unique place to celebrate the life of a loved one.
California Scenario (Noguchi Garden)
611 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
The Villa: The Perfect Venue for Your Celebration of Life
The Villa in Orange is ideal because it is a popular venue for memorial receptions. It even offers accommodations like projectors and video screens for the big event. Contact The Villa ahead of time to reserve your Celebration of Life event.
The Villa
510 E. Katella Avenue
Orange, CA 92867
Crystal Cove State Park: A Beautiful Gathering Place for Post-Celebration of Life Get-Togethers
You can’t beat California’s weather and outdoor locales, so why not spend the post-Celebration of Life event outside with family and friends? Crystal Cove State Park is a great spot.
Pack a picnic and spend the day together thinking of your loved one. The wildflower fields and trails will help you connect to nature.
Crystal Cove State Park
8471 North Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Bench along an outlook with a view at sunset of Crystal Cove Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach line in Southern California
Unwind After Everyone Has Left at the Garden Wellness Spa or Transcendental Meditation
After the event is over and everyone has gone home, you may feel a sense of loss even more acutely. It’s essential to take time for self-care and mourn your loved one on your own. Book an appointment at a spa or do some transcendental meditation and carve out time to reflect.
Garden Wellness Spa
900 East Katella Avenue, Suite G
Orange, CA 92867
Transcendental Meditation
1224 Katella Avenue #205
Orange, CA 92867
Several spa treatments are recommended for grief. For example, a deep tissue massage is ideal if grief is causing physical pain. Essential oils can also promote emotional release.
Opal Cremation is here to help with the planning and beyond. We offer affordable cremation in Los Angeles and Orange County. Our team provides all-inclusive packages without hidden fees.
Contact us to learn more about our services.
| Place | About |
| Bear Coast Coffee | Enjoy a cup, then stroll along San Clemente Pier |
| Lazy Dog Restaurants | Perfect for family-friendly dining |
| Nagouchi Gardens | A quiet place for reflection |
| The Villa | A venue specializing in celebration of life events |
| Crystal Cove State Park | Ideal for family gatherings in a natural setting |
| Garden Wellness Spa or Transcendental Meditation | Offers self-care after the event |
Making Memories
It’s helpful to have a list of possible places and spaces for every eventuality during a Celebration of Life weekend, including a place to gather, eat, reflect, and recover once you get through the celebration itself. Remember that the Celebration of Life event isn’t all about the activities and experience for guests. It’s about spending time together and celebrating the person you miss.
Contact Opal Cremation for Direct Cremation Near Me
At Opal Cremation of Orange County, we know the passing of a loved one can be an emotionally overwhelming experience. That’s why we make it our goal to help family and friends of the departed navigate through the process of loss and what comes next.
We offer an all-inclusive package for affordable cremation services that can be customized according to the needs of each family and loved one. Unlike other providers, we never charge hidden fees. Our services include documentation, planning assistance, body storage, ashes delivery, and support during the service and beyond.
Plus, cremation arrangements can be made over the phone, taking one more stressful responsibility off your plate.
Our dedicated care team is happy to guide you through every step of the process, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can focus on processing your emotions, and we can take care of the rest.
Looking for more information? Our has a list of cremation FAQs and other helpful resources.
Not in Orange County? We also assist families in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas.
Contact us to find out what makes us the best cremation company in Southern California.
FAQS
What is the cost of a celebration of life?
Celebrations of life can range in cost. For example, a simple gathering with friends in a park can be free. This is a popular option for families as it does not add much expense to the cremation cost in California.
However, if you celebrate at a venue with 100 people or more, it can cost between $15,000 and $50,000.
How soon after death should you have a celebration of life?
A celebration of life can be held a week after the death, a month, or even a year. Some families have ongoing celebrations on the anniversary of their loved one’s death.
What not to do at a celebration of life?
Don’t share stories that speak ill of the loved one or embarrass them. Don’t question why the family is having a celebration of life rather than a conventional memorial.
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources you and your family may find helpful:
7 Celebration of Life Ideas in San Diego
8 Celebration of Life Ideas in LA: Banquet Venues
6 Celebration of Life Ideas in Los Angeles: Outdoor Venues
How to Plan an Unforgettable Celebration of Life
5 Ideas for a Unique Memorial Celebration After Cremation
