Celebrations of life
There is no denying that funerals have sad moments but they should also incorporate a celebration of someone’s life regardless of its length!
When someone dies it is a very confusing time, If you need help I have a wealth of information and resources. Whether it is what funeral director to use or what needs to be done first, please feel free to call me on (03) 9005 7175 or 0425 726 246.
I first became involved in grief in 1979, after experiencing the death of my daughter Rebecca. I was forced to learn about the grief process whether I wanted to or not! I joined the Sudden Infant Death Research Foundation (now Sids & Kids) and, like most parents, began to ask questions about grief, grieving and learning to live when your world has collapsed.
About 14 years ago, I went to a funeral conducted by a celebrant. The celebrant was over dramatic, concentrated solely on the ‘loss’ and the whole service made people sadder than when they came in. This is not to say we should not acknowledge loss, after all we are there to say goodbye, however there needs to be a balance, so we can acknowledge and celebrate their achievements in life too! Hopefully there is laughter as well as tears, because that is what life is about – it is ok to be happy and sad at the same time, one does not negate the other.
When I started, I did funerals for family members – a hard call for an experienced celebrant let alone someone starting out! However, if you do the tough stuff first, everything should be easier shouldn’t it? Well it wasn’t quite that simple but it was through doing these, and the feedback I received, that I decided to become a celebrant, specializing in funerals. This happened in 2002 I and I have loved every moment of it since. It is an absolute privilege to be asked to conduct a service. People lead such fascinating lives, it’s just a shame that often we don’t learn about them until they have died. My mission is to create a ceremony that lives on in the hearts and minds of their families forever.
Being comfortable about talking to people before they die, I am also happy to meet with you if you know you have limited time, to help you have the farewell that YOU would like!
People ask me all the time, “why would you want to do a job like that?” I say to them “I have the best job in the world!” Granted some days are hard, but overall I wouldn’t change it for the world.
If you need any help or advice, please feel free to call me on 0425 726 246 and we can have a chat.
