How to Hold a Funeral Service in The Sims 4
As a dedicated Sims gamer, few in-game events are as poignant as gathering to mourn and memorialize a Sim that has passed away. When that dreaded moment comes and the Grim Reaper arrives to claim your Sim, take heart in knowing you can provide a beautiful, cathartic funeral service that honors their digital life.
When the Grim Reaper Calls
When a Sim passes away, whether from old age after roughly 100-150 Sim days or from an untimely tragedy, the ominous Grim Reaper will arrive in a dark swirling cloud. He will wave his scythe over the location of your Sim‘s death, and in their place will appear either a gravestone or urn, depending on if they perished indoors or outdoors. Take note that elder Sims will also leave behind a glowing orb representing their immortal spirit – a key to unlocking their ghost!
| Average Sim Lifespan | Days |
|---|---|
| Short | 15-25 days |
| Normal | 90-150 days |
| Long | >180 days |
Planning the Memorial Service
Once you‘ve relocated your Sim‘s gravestone or urn to your home lot or preferred venue, pull out your cell phone to begin arranging the details for their funeral service. Select the deceased Sim you wish to plan the event for, choose how formal or casual you‘d like it to be, and pick floral arrangements and upgrades like a premium coffin. Customize the event to match your Sim‘s personality – will it be a swanky cocktail party or somber candlelight vigil?
You can even plan special attributes like speakers, catering, and background music to set the tone. Be sure to schedule transport to pick up any guests, assign a formal outfit for your hosting household (black is classic but not required!), and take time to create a touching tombstone engraving memorializing your lost loved one.
Holding the Funeral Service
Once all the preparations are made, guests will arrive on the scheduled day dressed in formal mourning attire, gathering around the focal urn or gravestone. Surviving family member Sims may periodically break into tears or desperate crying spells while reminiscing about their deceased loved one.
As the host, have your Sims take time to console grieving guests, share fond memories, give meaningful eulogies praising your Sim‘s life, and leave floral arrangements or other mementos offering symbolic closure. You may even see some guests break down, cry, or faint with overwhelming emotion at poignant moments.
During and after the service, reflect on the good times you shared with your Sim and know they wouldn‘t have wanted you to grieve forever. Share the happy stories that celebrate a life well lived rather than dwell in loss – that‘s the greatest way to honor their memory.
Sims console each other at a touching funeral service (EA/Maxis)
Additional Memorial Options
Even after the funeral service has concluded and guests have paid their respects, you still have options to continue honoring or interacting with your deceased Sim‘s spirit. Consider these ideas:
Summon Their Ghost – Especially if they died unexpectedly in the prime of life, you may want to offer continued companionship via their spiritual ghost form returning to haunt your household. Strengthen connection to the gravestone/urn and try to manifest their essence at night.
Keep Urns/Gravestones – Leave your Sim‘s gravestone or urn prominently displayed on your home lot or community mausoleum so your household can frequently mourn and pay tribute with offerings.
Sell Urns/Gravestones – If you prefer to let go and make peace, you can always have your Sim sell the gravestone or urn once sufficient time has passed. Your household will still fondly remember your lost friend or family member.
No matter how you choose to honor and memorialize your deceased Sims, a thoughtfully planned and executed funeral service can provide elegiac closure while celebrating the joy they brought to your lives. May your fallen Sims rest in digital peace on the gaming grid in the sky!
