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.
There appears to be a growing interest and intrigue around the idea of a ‘living funeral’ or ‘living celebration of life’. And likely for good reasons too. One of those reasons is that many people are living longer than in previous generations and often have the luxury of those extra years to face and accept their eventual mortality. As well, I have found through my many years working in the ‘end-of-life profession’ that many are now looking for more uplifting alternatives in terms of celebrating and paying tribute to losing a loved one. A Living Funeral does not have to involve a funeral home, weighty extra costs and can be organized to be very informal if you choose.
Those who may wish to host their own ‘Living Funeral’ or ‘Transition Party’ typically are for a person who is in in their twilight years, concerned about becoming incapacitated or is already terminally ill and have limited life chapters remaining.
There are numerous positive benefits for all involved in having the chance to gather, enjoy, share, say one’s farewells and have precisely the kind of celebratory tribute of your choosing. After all, it’s your life, your story….and ultimately, should be your own ‘Life Celebration’. But more importantly, just being present!!
Eventually, it will certainly be my choice!
“There’s something primal about the end of the road, and the rite of passage that it represents”
-Aaron Schneider
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


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
Readings With Faith
by Kahlil Gibran
“…You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot
unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death,
open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires
lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow, your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity…
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides,
that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance…”