Tips for Planning a Memorial, Celebration of Life, or other Ceremony of Remembrance

In addition to Celebrations of Life and other larger more public remembrance ceremonies, Funeral Celebrants like myself also perform more intimate services for the Scattering of Ashes and Graveside Ceremonies. Most families feel these are very important, but they haven’t a clue how to make it so. 

These words are from a lovely (and very stylish) woman in her 60′s about the internment of ashes ceremony I created for her husband. “You guided us with caring through his internment. The touches of earth from home and the flower petals added such poignancy to the moment.  When I think of his laying to rest, I feel a sense of peace that it happened the way it did, and I know that I owe much to you.” 

Following are some of the ways I can support YOU and your family: Read More >

Part III: Tips for Planning a Memorial, Celebration of Life, or other Ceremony of Remembrance

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am a professional Celebrant who serves our community in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Like many others who support individuals, families, and communities in times of sorrow, I am called to do this work. I was a hospice and palliative care volunteer for many years. The experiences there helped me learn to be fully present with grieving clients. Many Funeral Celebrants have a similar background. Go with your gut sense of who will hold your confidences in the highest regard. Someone to whom you feel you can say anything and won’t be judged, and with whom you can be however you need to be, without pretending.

But also investigate to ensure the Funeral Celebrant has a well-developed ceremonial practice. Otherwise you might get another version of the ‘Uncle Bob’ style of ceremony I described in Part II.  The Celebrant should have experience helping families of diverse backgrounds and incomes plan ceremonies to mourn and grieve their loved ones. Read More >

Part II: Tips for Planning a Memorial, Celebration of Life, or other Ceremony of Remembrance

Last week in Part I of this series, we looked what families yearn for in their memorial ceremonies. What they want and what they don’t want. This week, let us turn to the logistics of Planning a Memorial Ceremony. The Who, What, Where, How?  Here is my list of:  8 Things to keep in mind when planning a Memorial, Celebration of Life or other Ceremony of Remembrance. Read More >

Part I: Tips for Planning a Memorial, Celebration of Life, or other Ceremony of Remembrance

Celebrating a Life: Planning a memorial

We live in a society that is uncomfortable with death, grief, and mourning. And when it comes to memorials and other celebrations of life we don’t always know how to create them or what to do.  Not surprising, after all most people have had little experience.But let me tell you this — people usually know what they DON’T WANT.  The families I serve in ceremony at end of life DO NOT want maudlin displays of plastic mourning, and they DO NO WANT stale rites by rote. Read More >

One of the reasons I love Vancouver’s Mountain View Cemetery

As you will know by now, I am a big fan of Vancouver’s Mountain View Cemetery. Progressive, inclusive, very community spirited — they even have an artist in resident Ms. Paula Jardine.

Someone I have got to know over the past year or so is Facility Manager Robin Naiman.  She brings such a sense of calm and trust to her work. When you meet Robin to discuss holding a memorial or celebration of life at Mountain View, you know immediately that you are in good hands.  Intrigued by this graceful woman who knows all things related to the Celebration Hall where I have performed a number of Vancouver funerals and memorials, I thought it might be fun to ask her to tell us more about herself and how/why she came to her work at Mountain View Cemetery.  You’ll love what she had to say:

Read More >