Hosting a Funeral in The Sims 4 Life & Death Expansion: A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways:

1. The Sims 4 Life & Death expansion adds a new social event hosting a funeral, deepening the emotional layers of gameplay.
2. Players can customize funerals by planning activities, setting dress codes, and selecting special requests in line with the deceased’s final wishes.
3. Unique features like hiring mourners, selecting a burial location, and interacting with the deceased’s ghost enhance the realism of this new addition.

The Sims 4 Life & Death expansion brings an emotional depth that fans of the franchise have been craving. With this new addition, players have the opportunity to celebrate the lives of their Sims through carefully planned funeral events, complete with personalized activities, attire, and locations. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hosting a memorable funeral in The Sims 4.

Getting Started: Installing the Life & Death Expansion

To access the new funeral event in The Sims 4, you’ll need both the base game and the Life & Death expansion. This expansion pack enriches the game with features that explore life’s cycle, offering new careers, build-mode items, and social events designed around life and death.

Once installed, these additions unlock the option to host a funeral, introduce a Rebirth feature, and even allow your Sim to interact with the Grim Reaper and the afterlife in new ways.

How to Host a Funeral in The Sims 4 Life & Death

Step 1: When a Sim Passes Away

First, one of your Sims must pass away, allowing you to plan a funeral event. Sims can die in various ways, from natural causes to accidental incidents, all of which will place their urn or tombstone on the lot. However, the deceased Sim doesn’t need to be part of your household; they simply need to be present as an urn or gravestone.

Once a Sim passes on, you’ll find an option to collect any inheritance they may have left, which can help fund funeral expenses.

Step 2: Planning the Funeral

Planning a funeral is similar to scheduling other events in The Sims 4, such as weddings or birthday parties. Open the calendar and select the “Add Funeral Event” option. The deceased Sim will appear as the honoree, and you’ll be designated as the host by default.

Customizing the Funeral Details

In the planning screen, you can personalize the funeral experience to reflect the personality and wishes of the deceased Sim:

• Invite Guests: Choose friends, family, and neighbours to attend the ceremony.
• Hire Mourners and Entertainers: You can hire professional mourners or musicians to enhance the event.
• Set a Dress Code: Decide whether you want formal mourning attire or allow guests to dress casually.
• Review the Will: Some Sims may have specific requests outlined in their will, like a musical performance or a certain speaker at their service. This adds a unique touch and allows you to honor their final wishes.

Step 3: Choosing Activities for the Funeral

To ensure a successful funeral, you’ll need to select at least three funeral activities. Popular choices include:

• Giving a Eulogy: A heartfelt speech commemorating the deceased Sim.
• Lighting Candles: Guests can light candles to pay their respects.
• Sharing Memories: Encourage attendees to share fond memories or anecdotes about the deceased.
• Toasts and Tributes: Guests can raise a toast to the life of the deceased.

These activities, along with any special requests from the will, provide an interactive way to celebrate the deceased’s life and bring closure to the family and friends left behind.

Step 4: Selecting a Location and Finalizing the Event

Funerals in The Sims 4 can be held at various locations, such as a cemetery, the family home, or even public parks. Once you’ve chosen a location, set a date and time for the event and confirm your selections.

Once finalized, the funeral will appear on the calendar. When the day arrives, you’ll receive a notification to let you know it’s time to attend.

Attending the Funeral: Activities and Interactions

As the event begins, attendees will arrive in the chosen attire and participate in the planned activities. Completing these activities boosts the success of the funeral, earning your Sim higher accolades and ensuring a memorable event. Some of the interactions available during the funeral include:

• Honoring the Deceased at the Casket or Urn: Sims can pay their respects by mourning at the casket or lighting candles in remembrance.
• Changing the Photo Display: You can customize a memorial photo for the deceased, showcasing their life’s highlights.
• Dedicating a Memorial: Players can create a permanent memorial dedicated to the deceased, which other Sims can visit and mourn.

Completing all the planned activities also rewards attendees with special funeral badges, symbolizing their respect and dedication to the honoree’s memory.

After the Funeral: Continuing to Honor the Deceased

After the funeral event concludes, your Sim can continue to mourn the deceased at their gravesite or urn. If the deceased Sim’s ghost still lingers, you may choose to set their spirit free, allowing them to pass on to the Netherworld permanently.

For those wanting to keep the memory of the deceased alive, Sims can create memorials or visit their resting place to pay respects in the future. The expansion even allows for special interactions with the Grim Reaper, adding a touch of the supernatural to your gameplay.

The Rebirth Feature in The Sims 4 Life & Death

While death may feel final, the Life & Death expansion offers a unique twist: the possibility of rebirth. By completing a Soul’s Journey Bucket List, Sims can be given a second chance at life. This feature is perfect for players who want to resurrect beloved characters or bring back Sims who have unfinished business in the Sim world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I host multiple funerals for the same Sim?
A: No, you can only host one official funeral event per Sim, but you’re always welcome to visit their gravesite or hold memorial gatherings to continue honouring them.

Q: What happens if the Sim’s will specifies special requests?
A: If a Sim left a will with specific wishes for their funeral, you’ll be prompted to include those during the planning stage. Incorporating these preferences can increase the event’s success.

Q: Do guests at the funeral have to follow the dress code?
A: While you can set a dress code for the funeral, guests may still arrive in their preferred outfits, especially if they have strong traits or a unique sense of style.

Q: How can I interact with a deceased Sim’s ghost?
A: Ghosts can appear during the funeral or after, especially if their urn is nearby. Sims can speak to, and even befriend, a ghost or release them to the Netherworld.

Q: Is there a way to hold a funeral for Sims who passed away before installing the expansion?
A: Yes, you can host a funeral for any Sim, even those who passed away before adding the Life & Death expansion. Simply locate their urn or gravestone to begin planning.