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Dead Inspiring

Inspiration

Everyone can decide who they would like to celebrate; there is no detailed prescription for how you should remember.

In your words

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Remembering

Charlotte

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Remembering

my father

Charlotte Thumbnail

Remembering

Charlotte

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Ideas for celebrating

You might choose to share a meal and memories with friends and family; to cook a favourite dish, or watch a special film; to organise a football match; or raise money for a particular charity. You might simply want to look at old photographs/take a private moment to reflect, such as a walk in a special place, light a candle and/or listen to an evocative piece of music. 

However you choose to remember, you will be creating new memories as you do so, and helping to ensure that those we love leave a living legacy. Like a thread woven into the tapestry of our lives, it connects the past not only with the present but also with the future.

Tree

Donate to the National Trust’s Plant a Tree Appeal

Discover how you can make a donation to the National Trust in memory of your loved one as a long-lasting legacy. You'll receive a dedicated certificate in their name as a keepsake. 

Donate Now
Moonpig

Send a heartfelt message to someone special and honour the memories of their loved ones

Acclaimed artist Rob Ryan created a series of beautiful limited edition cards in honour of Celebration Day exclusively for Moonpig. Rob’s classic paper cut style is brought to life in these evocative artworks of remembrance, love and celebration.

Sarah Jane Porter - Moonpig’s Global Design & Licensing Director commented: “We are truly delighted to be working with such a highly acclaimed artist like Rob Ryan for such an inspirational day. Rob’s designs are iconic and we feel they truly encapsulate the meaning of Celebration Day making them the perfect gesture for friends and family to send to one another and unite over a shared memory of those who have passed.”

Send a card
A military ID card with a vintage portrait of a soldier

Give the gift of discovering ancestors to someone you love or unlock the family story in your own DNA

In honour of Celebration Day, Ancestry have produced a short film featuring friends and family sharing who they will be celebrating. 

What better way to celebrate past lives than delving into history and exploring your own roots.

Learn more
What Do You Do Ill

Join a cooking therapy coaching workshop

On Sunday 19th May, we teamed up with Lexie, the Cooking Therapy Coach and founder of food & being™️, to host a cooking therapy coaching workshop on Instagram Live.

It was open to all and completely free. 

Download the Celebration Day Conversation Menu

View on Instagram
Katherine Grainger Portrait

Submit a story

The Day - an online daily newspaper for young people - ran the third annual Celebration Day schools competition. Winners were picked across five age group categories and it was open to all 5-18 year olds, challenging them to celebrate someone remarkable from the past with a written or recorded audio entry.

Students were encouraged to do their own research or interview older family members or friends to discover inspiring figures from the past. Entries did not have to be about a famous individual - entries about family or friends were welcomed - but they had to be about someone who has passed away. This year there was a new optional theme of ’sporting heroes throughout history’, and a ’teacher category’, where adult educators could enter a submission to win a prize.

The competition was free to enter and winners were awarded an iPad, as well as being celebrated by special guest judges.

Follow the link below to hear the winning entries read by Olympic gold medallist Dame Katherine Grainger and British stage and screen actor Nathaniel Parker.

View the winning entries
Black and white photo of a woman reading the newspaper at the kitchen table

View media coverage, press releases, personal stories of remembrance and recommendations for Celebration Day activities and resources.

News and Stories

Learn more
A woman sits on the trunk of a yellow car parked on the beach

View Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about Celebration Day.

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FAQs