Celebrate your loved ones life

Funerals~Memorials~Celebrations of Life

“Death puts life into perspective".....Emerson

Having served as a Hospice Chaplain/Spiritual Care Coordinator in Colorado and New Jersey, I offer creative and professional skills in planning a meaningful funeral, memorial or celebration of life service. My compassionate spirit and listening heart helps all who find themselves in the challenging position of finding someone to officiate a non-traditional funeral or memorial service.

I create a sacred place for the bereaved and family to express their grief and begin the process of making sense out of the senseless. Coping with the loss of life can be difficult, whether this loss is expected or unexpected.  A loss is expressed in many different ways by each person. Traditionally, funerals and memorial services have been conducted in a church or chapel, by a priest or minister of religion. Celebrations of Life services are generally more non-traditional, and incorporate creative and colorful rituals of celebration.  Many people, whether they attend a religious house of worship or not, are looking for a meaningful and comforting alternative way to say 'good-bye' that suits their lifestyle.

An interview with the grieving family is arranged in comfortable surroundings, selected by the family. This is often carried out at the family home, or the funeral home, but any other location that the family chooses is fine. Whatever the circumstances of the life or death, I'm not there to moralize or judge - but to offer support, understanding, and a ceremony that truly reflects the deceased.

This interview serves two purposes:

1) to support and encourage the family to talk and allow the natural grieving to take its course.

2) to assist in information gathering/ceremony creation for the eulogy/celebration of life.

The eulogy is the story of the deceased's life, personality, character, family ties, achievements in good and hard times, goals and hopes. Members of the family or friends are encouraged, if they wish, to participate with a reading, a  poem, or a tribute. It all helps to make the occasion more personal and special.

The Ceremony (including the eulogy and selection of music, readings, poems, prayers, tributes, and rituals) is put together to reflect the wishes of the deceased and/or the family. Although the funeral is the final goodbye, the ceremony presents this goodbye in a sensitive, caring and positive way, often leaving the family with a feeling of calmness and acceptance.

It is important for the family to feel that the deceased has had an important part in their lives and will never be forgotten. Grief is a very personal experience but the sharing of special memories helps to create a sense of connection with those close to you and can allow the healing to begin.