Releasing doves at a funeral meaning

The releasing of doves or butterflies is a way of adding a special touch to a funeral or memorial service.

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Available Dove Release Memorials
For More Information
Service Area
What does releasing a dove symbolize?
What do doves symbolize in death?
What happens when doves are released?
What does the releasing of white dove signify?

Doves: Doves are a symbol of love, peace and hope. A white dove release as the final part of the service, can offer a soothing touch in a time of sadness and sorrow. Family members can release the doves from beautifully decorated cages or by hand release, accompanied by a reading or poem.

The trained white birds will soar into the sky, usually circling any number of times in a group before returning to their home, symbolising the spirit on a journey home to a final resting place.

Butterflies: Butterflies are nature’s ultimate symbol of change, transformation and beauty. Releasing live butterflies for a loved-one is a unique way to honour and remember them. When we experience the vital connection between butterflies and nature, we tend to instinctively feel that peace and harmony are truly around us.

Butterflies may be given out individually to be released from small boxes. Alternatively, you can have a mass release of butterflies from one or more butterfly release boxes, with the butterflies naturally resting inside an elegantly decorated release box.

It is also possible to display the butterflies in an elegant cage near the coffin during the service.

One way to honor your loved one as he or she passes into the heavens is with the release of a pure white dove.

It is your last tribute to the soul of your dearly departed. These types of white dove releases can be done at the graveside, mausoleum, cemetery chapel, funeral home, or an appropriate location of your choosing.

For centuries, doves have symbolized the Holy Spirit, love, peace, hope, and the soul.
A White Dove Release offers a soothing touch in a time of sadness and sorrow.
It leaves those present with a feeling of hope for the departed.

Prior to the release, dove displays can be placed along side of the casket as an alternative to flowers, with a special personalized note attached to the cage. At funerals and memorials, the dove release memorial is the final part of the service. The release is often accompanied by a heart-felt poem that is read by a close family member or clergy/official.

Contact A Touch Above today to learn how practical and affordable it is to schedule the touching memorial of a live dove release in remembrance of a loved one.

Available Dove Release Memorials

For More Information

Pricing is based on the number of doves, the type of release, the event, and the distance.

Trinity Release
Family Release
Angel Release

Military Release
A free service is offered by A Touch Above for active military and armed service personnel.

Local Heroes Release
This release is very similar to our Military Release, but conceived especially in memorial for fallen heroes such as our local active law enforcement and fire fighting personnel.

Frequently
Asked Questions about
Dove Releases

Contact A Touch Above for more information about Dove Releases.

Depending on your preference we have several packages available. These include:

Trinity Release - One dove released representing the departed soul followed by three doves representing the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. The doves take wing from a chapel box and symbolize accompanying the departed soul to the heavens.
Family Release - A Family Dove Release involves the flight of one dove from every child of the deceased.
Angel Release - An Angel Dove Release involves releasing one dove by hand representing the departed soul. Following the single release, 5, 10 or 20 more doves may rise skyward, representing angels carrying the soul to Heaven. The flight of doves released is up to your discretion.
Military Release - This armed services memorial is very special to us - A free service is offered by A Touch Above for active military and armed service personnel. There are 21 birds released after the playing of taps and a moment of silence. Contact A Touch Above for further information.
Local Heroes Release - This release is very similar to our Military Release, but conceived especially in memorial for fallen heroes such as our local active law enforcement and fire fighting personnel. Contact A Touch Above for further information.

Contact A Touch Above today to learn how practical and affordable it is to schedule the touching memorial of a live dove release in remembrance of a loved one. Learn more on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Service Area

In Florida, A Touch Above serves customers in an 50 mile radius of central Florida near Lakeland. We are proud to offer our celebrated dove release services to the cities of Bradenton, Brandon, Clearwater, Dade City, Highland City, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Orlando, Plant City, St. Petersburg, Riverview, Tampa, Valrico, Winter Haven, and Zephyrhills.

We now also offer releases in , Avon Park, Bay Pines, Belle Air Shores, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Carrollwood Village, Celebration, Champions Gate, Dunedin, Indian Rocks Beach, Lake Buena Vista, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pass-A-Grille Beach, Poinciana, Redington Beach, Safety Harbor, Sebring, Seffner, Tarpon Springs, Treasure Island, Valrico, Wesley Chapel, Windermere, Winter Garden.

What does releasing a dove symbolize?

The dove is considered a symbol of peace, hope, and freedom. Many families say the dove release helps begin the grieving process. The experience can be rather cathartic and it helps to symbolize the “letting go” of a loved one.

What do doves symbolize in death?

At a remembrance ceremony, a dove release helps to begin the grieving process. The letting go of the doves signifies the “letting go” of the loved one. A dove release is also inspirational for those attending a funeral or memorial as it beautifully and peacefully honors the memory of the deceased.

What happens when doves are released?

White Barbary doves are sometimes released in large public ceremonies as a peace symbol, and at weddings and funerals. However, releases usually use homing pigeons, as Barbary doves lack the homing instinct and will die if released into the wild.

What does the releasing of white dove signify?

White doves are symbolic of new beginnings, peace, fidelity, love, luck and prosperity. Their release is a tradition that has been making ceremonies, rituals and celebrations more powerful and meaningful for thousands of years. Releasing doves uplifts the eyes, signifies new beginnings and true celebrations in flight.