Funerals

Life Tributes & Memorials

Funeral and memorial celebrants are specialists who are professionally trained in creating ceremonies for many cultures, traditions and religions. I have had the privilege of serving hundreds of families and officiating at many such services over the past 9 years.

My mission and commitment is to create a ceremony that best reflects the wishes, beliefs, culture and values of your loved one and family. Whether your family is spiritual, religious, interfaith or non-denominational, I am always generous with my time with the family. And am sincerely honoured to create a relevant, meaningful and personalized service for your loved one.

Before the service

Following an initial meeting and discussion with family or loved ones, I will carefully craft a Celebration of Life Service or Life Tribute that includes key, relevant and notable chapters of that person’s special life which may include; speakers, quotations, readings, requested prayers and/or a special ritual.

Typically, I officiate Celebration of Life Services or Memorial at a selected funeral home, family home, private club or other location of your choice such as a private home, golf club. This also includes graveside, crematorium or an ‘ash scattering’ service upon request.

Obituaries

The primary purpose of an obituary is to notify people, who aren’t in daily contact with the deceased, of the passing of their friend or loved one. Additionally, well crafted obituaries are important for several reasons:

  • It offers an opportunity to honor and pay tribute to a loved one who has passed away
  • It provides a respectful narrative, written appreciation and recognition for a life well lived
  • It creates positive remembrances and memories for the reader
  • It becomes a treasured piece of memorabilia and a vital part of that person’s overall legacy

When dealing with the grief of having lost a loved one, it can be a difficult and painful process trying to prepare a creative and carefully worded obituary.

I am skilled and committed to working with you to create a fitting tribute to your loved one to share with the community.

“Death ends a life, not a relationship. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on- in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.”
—Morrie Schwartz

Pet Tributes & Memorials

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Marlowe the CR Bernedoodle

Paying tribute and celebrating the life of your special companion(s) is just as important as celebrating the lives of their human parents. Our attachment to our pets is undeniable and celebrating their lives in a formal manner often helps with the grieving process.

Your pet tribute or memorial can take whatever tone or ceremony that works for you. If you're too overwhelmed to think of ideas, please get in touch and we can figure it out together.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”
—Anatole France

Footprints on the sands of time

Footprints on the sands of time

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, — act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.