Ceremonies help us to mark the significant times of our lives. They help us put away the old and prepare for the new. We use ceremonies to exalt in our joy and to reconcile our sorrow. At Ceremonies by Design, I specialize in creating ceremonies that are personally significant to you – for the times in your life that are meaningful to you.
Memorials
All of us will, at some time, return to our non-physical existence in Spirit. A memorial ceremony is our way of honoring and celebrating the lives of those who have passed on. You might be among the growing number of people who do not feel a comfortable affiliation with a church, yet want a personalized and special service to honor the life of your loved one. As a Certified Funeral Celebrant, I can provide that service for you.
First, I would meet with you, the family of the deceased, for “Family Time.” I would ask a series of brief questions about your loved one’s life and legacy and I would ask you to share stories. I want you to feel comfortable and safe during our time together and I also feel it’s important for you to understand that we don’t necessarily have “rules” we have to follow. Over the course of an hour or two, I can glean a wealth of information that is carefully and compassionately utilized in the creation of a ceremony that is just as unique as the life of your loved one.
A personalized funeral service gives those of us who remain, family and friends, a chance to talk, to laugh, and to cry as we share our thoughts, prayers and memories.
Pet Memorial Services
Holding funeral rituals and memorial services for loved ones who have passed has been part of our human experience as far back as things have been recorded.
Our pets are part of our family, too, and it is important to honor their lives and the joy they brought to ours. When a beloved pet dies, we grieve that loss just as deeply as when a person we are close to dies. A pet memorial service gives all members of a family, especially children, a way to offer a tribute to a precious family member.
In a pet memorial service, we can include just about anything that is important to your family. I encourage each family member to share loving memories and perhaps share a story or two about how their pet impacted their lives. We can create a memorial through a tree planting, photo collage, readings, or anything that is meaningful to your family.
Baby Naming or Christening
You don’t have to have a religious ceremony to welcome your baby to the family. Although I do offer traditional christenings, the more secular option is a Baby Naming ceremony. With a Baby Naming ceremony, we express our gratitude for the gift of new life and honor the special meaning found within the name.
One unique element I like to include in a Baby Naming ceremony is a Treasure Box. It can be large or small, fancy or plain, just something to hold treasures that each member of the family might want to share. As parents, you can add things over the years. In most spiritual traditions, a child is considered to be of age when they turn 17 years old. What an exciting process for your teenager to open their Treasure Box and see what was given to them!
Wedding Anniversaries & Renewing Marriage Vows
What better way to declare your commitment to your beloved than to renew your vows? A well-tenured marriage is abundant with the rich texture of life. Renewing your vows is a golden thread in the tapestry of your marriage, and a ceremony that celebrates the bounty of your life together.