Weddings, Funerals, Ceremonies, Stories, Mindfulness, Practices

18 May 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Estranged and Together Again

I was contacted by a family member who had been estranged from their younger sibling for over fifty years until just a few months before they died from a terminal illness. No-one else in the family wanted a ceremony but this sibling and their partner really did. I visited the…

17 May 2024 | Ceremonies

Laurie Quinn—100

Jack of All Trades Late of Fernmount in the house he built himself in 1993 when he retired to work as a local jack of all trades for the next 25+ years. Born in Boort, Victoria, raised and worked around Barellan, New South Wales, RAAF service in the jungles of…

Eulogy

17 May 2024 | Ceremonies

Ghost Writing

Need a Hand to Get Your Thoughts in Order? Often people contact me to get ideas for a eulogy, ceremony or tribute; to ruminate what works, what doesn’t work; what needs to be said.. and not said. This was one of those mornings as I walked and talked with a…

10 May 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Honouring Ted

A Man to Remember I met with Ted’s family who adored him. They shared many funny stories and secrets while we looked over the back hills of Coffs Harbour. The rain was coming down in sheets. This esteemed gentleman had lived into many different lives. “Ted will be remembered for…

Grief

30 Apr 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Mourning and Celebration Online Circle 9.5.24 9.30am AEST

“Imagine the feeling of relief that would flood our whole being if we knew that when we were in the grip of sorrow or illness, our village would respond to our need. This would not be out of pity, but out of a realization that every one of us will…

30 Apr 2024 | Ceremonies

One Awesome Nanna!

Norma Jean… what a fun Mum and Nanna! After a wonderful visit with Norma’s family I started to write the ceremony. It was clear she was greatly loved… I received emails from six of her adult grandchildren. I was privileged to read them. There were tears everywhere. “Grandchildren can hold…

14 Apr 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

A Date with Death

A dear friend, who went through cancer treatment at the same time as I did two years ago, shared this poem with me last week. It made me smile. I befriended death at that time. A Date with Death Death asked me to join him for dinner so I slipped…

10 Apr 2024 | Elderhood

Anarpipe Country Under the Stars

I was deeply moved by the care, wisdom and generosity of spirit on Anarpipe Country, north east of Alice Springs where I was honoured to spend a week with the team from Kings Narrative Pty Ltd: Tyson Carmody and his brother Kynan Barnes, and their friend, Chris Forbes. I am…

06 Apr 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Sitting on the fence…

Celebrating This Precious Life: I recall climbing the Alps in France nearly 15 years ago when my partner and I were WOOF’ing (volunteering on organic farms). We would get up early, with our head torch lighting the way to climb to the peak and see the sunrise over the snow…

30 Mar 2024 | Ceremonies

Levenvale Farm

Levenvale Farm…peaceful tranquility with a wide vista of the surrounding farmland, forest, hills and wide open skies in Gumbaynggirr Country…with the sound of the birds and an occasional moo and bellow. Levenvale Farm, a beautiful place to hold a ceremony. I visited there last week for Michelle and Celeste’s ceremony…

21 Mar 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

An Intimate Farewell for Russ

The ceremony for Russ opened with a beautiful piece of music he loved, a quiet track from the band, Bread, called, If. I first met Russ nearly three years ago when, as a celebrant I supported his wife, Kerrie and her family to say farewell to her dad, John and…

18 Mar 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Goodbye Margaret

Margaret’s family chose this beautiful version of Amazing Grace sung by Guy Penrod to open the funeral ceremony for their mum, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunty, nana, great nana, neighbour and dear friend. Margaret was not your average 92-year-old. Until recently she was still driving, volunteering at the Parkinson’s Society, and enjoying…

09 Mar 2024 | Ceremonies

A Beautiful Pair Married in Canberra

Miri and Iain were married on the land of the Ngunawal and Ngambri people, the original custodians of the land where the National Gallery of Australia now sits by the lake. A land of rich colours that has been witness to many ceremonies, songs and stories for tens of thousands…

28 Feb 2024 | Ceremonies

Celebrating Life

Join me for transformative gatherings: Mourning and Celebration Circles “I was so impressed with Wendy’s facilitation of the mourning and celebration circle that I recently joined. She set such a loving tone, while simultaneously creating a container for authenticity and connection.” Tamara Staton — USA Online Circle Tuesday 5th March…

25 Feb 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Farewell Carl

Memorial Ceremony for the Celebration of the Life of Carl Rudolph Eyres Friday 23rd February 2024, Serenity Beach, NSW Opening Music: This is a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening—Frank Sinatra Dear family and friends, on behalf of Carl’s wife, Wil and their daughter, Sharon, I’d like to welcome you…

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