Good-bye 20s – hello 30s. Turning 30 is a big milestone and one to celebrate, but it also means leaving behind your youth. Throwing a “RIP to My 20s” party is a great way to kick off this new decade of your life and grieve the loss of your youth.
Here’s some inspiration to help you plan the ultimate “funeral for your youth” party.
RIP To My 20s Photoshoot Ideas
Staging a photoshoot for your RIP 20s party is a great idea. You can use your photos as decorations at your party, as part of your invites or just to share news of your birthday bash on social media.
30 Black Balloon
A fitting photoshoot theme for your party. Grab a black 30 balloon and dress in a black lacy dress with knee-high black boots to take photos in a park, cemetery or wherever you can get permission to take photos outdoors (even your backyard).
Cemetery Photoshoot
If you can get permission, have your photoshoot at a local cemetery. Wear a long black dress and sunglasses, and bring along a black umbrella. These moody photos will set the scene for your party.
Youth Tombstone
Create a tombstone for your youth either out of cardboard or wood. Wear a black dress and take photos out in a forest, field or any other moody outdoor space. Bring props and accessories, like faux goth flowers, to set the scene.
Related: 27 Best 30th Birthday Gift Ideas to Celebrate in 2025
The Ultimate RIP to My 20s Cake Ideas
You can’t have a party without cake, and with a theme like RIP My 20s, there are so many creative ideas you can try.
Here’s some cake inspiration for your party:
“Death to Your Youth” Gray and White Cake
Here’s a cake idea that’s a little goth and a little elegant. The gray and black flowers are so pretty, and the plain white cake frosting makes the words “Death to your youth” stand out. You’ll need a talented pro to bring this cake idea to life, but it will be absolutely gorgeous.
RIP 20s. Hello 30
A cake that celebrates the death of your youth and the start of a new chapter. The whole yin/yang or dark and light theme fits the theme of this party. The little addition of the tiny crown is cute, too. Make the cake half chocolate and half vanilla to fit the color theme of this cake.
RIP to My 20s
A death-themed cake with chocolate-covered strawberries and a black skull cake topper. If you can’t create the “RIP to My 20s” words with fondant, you can always use a cake topper kit like this one, which has the same theme.
Coffin Cake
A simple black cake with a pour-over design, a black flower, a skull and a tiny coffin. This cake is truly a work of art and will be the star of the show at your party.
Tombstone Cake with Berries
Want a fancy, gourmet-inspired cake? You’ll love this idea. The fresh blueberries and pour-over glaze give this cake a touch of elegance while still keeping that goth vibe. A “RIP twenties” tombstone completes the cake’s design.
RIP to My 20s Invitation Ideas
You’ve got the photos and the cake. Now it’s time to plan your invites.
Here’s some invitation inspiration for your death-themed party:
Funeral for My Youth
A simple invite with a skull-themed design. You can grab this exact template on Etsy and fill in your unique details.
In Loving Memory of Your 20s
Here’s another great template from Etsy with a floral and skull design. Add your party’s details and your RSVP info before printing or sending out e-vites.
Death to My 20s
Here’s a more fun invitation design with a pink and black theme. You can grab this invitation from Zazzle and get printed versions or a downloadable template.
Pizza and Beer Themed Invite
If your party is more casual or you plan on serving pizza and beer, this invite design is perfect. The skeleton graphic sets the vibe for your party, and you can customize it with all of your details.
RIP to My Twenties
A minimalistic invite with a goth vibe that’s perfect for your party. Add your details and either print or download the template to send out.
RIP to My 20s SVG Designs
Want to make your own decorations for your party or merch to celebrate the occasion? These SVG files are a great place to start.
SVG Coffins
These coffin SVG designs are perfect for use as cake toppers, photobooth props or as part of your table setting. There are four designs to choose from, and each one has its own unique elements.
Skeleton Bundle
This bundle has so many RIP to My 20s quotes and other fun designs that match the theme of your party. They come as PNG files, but you can easily use a converter to convert the files to SVGs.
The Audacity Tarot Card SVG
This SVG design would be perfect on a RIP to My 20s shirt. I love the witchy vibes, the unicorn skeleton and the fact that the skeleton rider is celebrating with two glasses of wine. You could also give these out as favors along with a sweet treat.
Related: Our Top Free Birthday Cards for Her to Download
RIP to My 20s Outfits Ideas
In all the chaos of planning your party, don’t forget to plan your outfit, too.
Simple Black, Elegant Look
Funerals are all about wearing black. You can recreate this look with a black dress and some thigh-high boots. Add a bit of color by holding a bouquet and don’t forget the sunglasses to stop anyone from seeing the tears roll down your face as you say adios to your 20s.
Photoshoot Time
Enter your 30s looking fierce with a stunning dress and makeup that would intimidate even the 20-year-old you. Beautiful and flowing, this dress will make you feel like you’re ready to walk the runway.
Black, Leather Dress
Wearing a black leather dress, knee-high boots and holding black balloons, you can be a real show stopper when you enter your own 20s funeral.
Wednesday Addams Enters the Building
Wednesday is the epitome of darkness, doom and gloom — all of which you may or may not be feeling when turning thirty. Offering a black see-through material on your shoulders and legs, this dress mixes a modest look while the long black beads around the neck and flowers in your hand add to the Wednesday vibes.
RIP to My 20s Decorations
Rest in peace – your 20s are over. It’s a wild ride as each year passes, and it seems like time goes faster and faster. Saying goodbye to your 20s is almost surreal, but these decoration ideas are sure to make the transition a little funnier.
Remembrance Table
You’re putting your 20s to rest with a large photo of yourself on the table, small candles, tombstone-looking decor and a bunch of balloons. People will remember you in your twenties, and this table is a hilarious way to sign off on turning the big 3 – 0.
Related: Turning 30? Try These 16 Epic Themes for a 30th Birthday Bash
RIP 20s 30th Birthday Floral Black Welcome Sign
Welcome everyone to your big day with a “Welcome to the Funeral” sign for your youth. It’s a simple sign that you can make on your own, or you can buy similar decorations on Amazon. I do like how the roses add a pop of color and detail to this sign.
RIP My Twenties Giant Tombstone
I’ll be the first to admit that this tombstone looks like a door that you enter and on the other side, you enter your 30s in an almost surreal reality of, “holy moly, I still feel like a teen but with aches.”
You can recreate this look with black and silver balloons and a large white cutout of a tombstone.
Photo Booth Props
If you plan on having a photo booth for your big day, be sure to add in some props for people to pose with. You can make your own, but Walmart sells these items directly in a pack that includes:
- Glasses with skulls on top
- Tombstones
- Funny moustaches
- Crowns
- Tons of other goodies
And there are also stickers included, which add a nice touch to every RIP birthday party.
RIP Casket Filled with Liquor Bottles
You can purchase fake caskets and fill them with hilarious items. This creative idea fills the casket with liquor bottles and beer cans. You can do the same. Whether you’re drinking to forget turning 30 or you’re using this prop as a way to bury your days of partying, this decoration is always a hit at a RIP birthday party.
Skeleton in a Casket Against the Wall
For this idea, you’ll notice an open coffin leaning up against the corner of the wall with a skeleton inside. You can even add a wig that resembles your hair.
Add your giant 3-0 numbers, a small tombstone and a broken skeleton on the ground, and you’ve successfully recreated this look.
And I like how the black balloons go up the staircase banister, but this does mean that you need the perfect staircase positioning for this idea. If you don’t have a staircase setup like this, you’ll still be more than fine to recreate the coffin and skeleton against the wall.
Skeleton with a Sign Saying “Welcome to the Funeral”
If you have a small table that’s been sitting in the closet, get it out and use it for this skeleton welcoming idea. Put the table in the corner of the room, prop a small skeleton on top and attach a small sign to it that says, “Welcome to the funeral for YOUR NAME’S youth.”
