Create a Great Funeral Day

Create a Great Funeral Day is observed annually on October 30. This day encourages people to think ahead about their funeral wishes, start the conversation with loved ones about their preferences, and plan a meaningful farewell that honors life.

History of Create a Great Funeral Day

The day was founded in 1999 by Stephanie West Allen, who was moved by the challenges she experienced after handling a funeral for a loved one and seeing the burden it placed on family. The aim was to shift funerals from being solely stressful or strictly traditional into more thoughtful, personalized, and prepared-for occasions. Over time, the observance has grown to highlight the value of pre-planning, open conversations about end-of-life wishes, and crafting a farewell that reflects the person’s values and life.

Why is Create a Great Funeral Day important?

On this day I find myself reflecting on how our own final farewell is an extension of our life’s story—how it will be remembered, how our people will feel, how our legacy will live on. Planning ahead means we’re not leaving that story entirely to chance or to others in grief. It offers a gift of clarity and love to our family and friends.
At the same time, this day nudges us to challenge a cultural silence around death. By opening those conversations—“What would you want?”, “What matters most to me?”—we shift from avoidance to meaningful engagement. It doesn’t have to be morbid; rather it can become a caring, honest, and even empowering act.

• It allows us to ensure our wishes are known and respected rather than assumed
• It eases the emotional and financial burden on loved ones during a difficult time
• It invites meaningful dialogue about values, memories and how we hope to be remembered
• It offers a chance to personalize the farewell rather than default to generic traditions
• It helps turn a necessary end-of-life ceremony into a tribute that celebrates a life

How to Celebrate Create a Great Funeral Day

You don’t need a special event. Use this day to have a quiet, honest talk with someone you trust about what you would want when the time comes—burial vs cremation, music, readings, a preferred location, or even how you’d like to be remembered. Write down or record those ideas so they aren’t lost.
You could also take the opportunity to review or start your funeral plan: check your legal documents, update your preferences, maybe meet with a funeral professional to understand your options and costs. The aim is to move from thinking “someday” to doing “today.”

• Ask a loved one what their funeral wish would be and share yours too
• Write a short note or checklist of your own funeral preferences (music, place, tone)
• Research funeral or memorial service options (traditional, celebration of life, eco-friendly)
• Discuss with family how they might support or honor you in a way that reflects your life
• Set a time to revisit and update these preferences periodically—life changes, so might your wishes

Create a Great Funeral Day Dates Table