MEMORIALS & CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE
Gathering Helps Us Through Our Grieving
At O’Donnell Funeral Home we specialize in funeral services and personalized celebrations of life that memorialize your loved one, and help those left behind begin their healing journey.
MEMORIALS & CELEBRATIONS
O’Donnell Funeral Home has certified celebrants on staff. Many people do not have a church affiliation. The celebrant will help create and compose a personalized remembrance and service that will pay tribute to your loved one. When planning, consider the following:
Meaningful Displays
Incorporate objects or momentos that represent your loved one to create displays that encapsulates their spirit and life. From military service medals and surfboards to golf clubs and famous cookie recipes, we’ve seen many wonderful examples of families including meaningful objects into their loved one’s memorial.
Musical Selections
Either live or recorded music is a powerful way to express your loved one’s presence into the memorial service. At O’Donnell Funeral Home, we can offer recommendations for musicians to suit your taste and genre, from pianists, harpists, and even bagpipers or bands.
Slideshows & Videos
Take photo displays a step further with a moving slideshow or original video. Our team can assist in lovingly bringing together photos, videos, and music to create custom videos that you can use at your service, and cherish forever.
O’Donnell Funeral Home has certified celebrants on staff. Many people do not have a church affiliation. The celebrant will help create and compose a personalized remembrance and service that will pay tribute to your loved one. When planning, consider the following:
Meaningful Displays
Incorporate objects or momentos that represent your loved one to create displays that encapsulates their spirit and life. From military service medals and surfboards to golf clubs and famous cookie recipes, we’ve seen many wonderful examples of families including meaningful objects into their loved one’s memorial.
Musical Selections
Either live or recorded music is a powerful way to express your loved one’s presence into the memorial service. At O’Donnell Funeral Home, we can offer recommendations for musicians to suit your taste and genre, from pianists, harpists, and even bagpipers or bands.
Slideshows & Videos
Take photo displays a step further with a moving slideshow or original video. Our team can assist in lovingly bringing together photos, videos, and music to create custom videos that you can use at your service, and cherish forever.
“Words cannot express what a beautiful job the O’Donnell Funeral Home staff did for our large family and our dear Johnny. People tell me that their wait in line was “pleasurable” because of the beauty that surrounded them during visiting hours. From caring staff, to amazing placement of flowers, a superb tribute video, and seamless management of all the friends in attendance, you made a very difficult time peaceful and loving. Thank you.”
“Words cannot express what a beautiful job the O’Donnell Funeral Home staff did for our large family and our dear Johnny. People tell me that their wait in line was “pleasurable” because of the beauty that surrounded them during visiting hours. From caring staff, to amazing placement of flowers, a superb tribute video, and seamless management of all the friends in attendance, you made a very difficult time peaceful and loving. Thank you."
Kapnis Family
EXPLORE OPTIONS
We invite you to review all the options we offer at O’Donnell Funeral Home: cremation or burial, visitations and ceremonies, transportation, flowers and more. Select services, review pricing, and even pre-plan from your phone or home computer.
OUR PRODUCTS
Meaningful Remembrances
Urns & Caskets
O’Donnell will guide your selection of funeral products including caskets, vaults, or urns. We always offer to personalize the final vessel at no additional cost.
Keepsakes & Parting Stones
Unique, personalized keepsakes offer a lasting memory for family and friends. Explore the options available through our partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why work with a funeral home for celebration of life?
When you work with O’Donnell Funeral Home, you gain much more than just a venue or an event coordinator — you gain a partner in creating a meaningful, lasting tribute. We’re here to help you honor your loved one’s memory with the care and attention they deserve, while giving you the space to grieve, celebrate, and connect with others who shared in their life. Let us handle the details, so you can focus on what matters most — celebrating the love, joy, and legacy your loved one leaves behind.
Can faith be incorporated into a celebration of life?
Yes, at O’Donnell Funeral Home we have longstanding relationships with all denominations, from Catholic to Jewish to Christian and Orthodox. We are happy to connect you with a spiritual leader. Many families may want to have a “celebrant” instead of a clergy or priest. We have three celebrants on our staff who are talented at personalizing your loved one’s service and will meet with your family prior to the event to make sure it's just right.
How do we let people know about a celebration of life?
Our website provides you with a personalized central hub for information about the Celebration of Life. An online eternal tribute is a living memorial that family and friends can visit forever. We have partnered with Legacy.com (the largest host of online eternal tributes in the world) so each and every family that chooses us has their digital memorial always active and reachable. The eternal online tribute can also be personalized, with photos, the digital video tribute created by our funeral home and the condolence messages from family and friends.
What can we bring to a celebration of life?
Providing photos is a great way to celebrate the life of the deceased. Framed pictures often spark memories and conversation, inspiring reflection. Likewise, personal mementos are nice touches. For example, your loved one may have been an avid golfer; bringing in a golf club memorializes their interests during the celebration. Whatever the hobby or interest, having these touches make the celebration personal and unique.
What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service?
A funeral typically includes the presence of the deceased’s body, either in a casket (open or closed) or in a cremation urn. It often takes place shortly after death and may include a viewing or visitation.
A memorial service, on the other hand, is held without the body present. It can take place days, weeks, or even months after the passing, giving families more flexibility in planning. Memorial services may also feel less formal and more personalized, depending on the family’s wishes.
