29 Apr 2026 | Ceremonies

Uncoupling Vow as an Opportunity

Why did you do this to me can be one of the most painful questions in a relationship. Years ago, the first couple who came to me asking for a divorce ceremony brought with them a vow from a book by Hans Jellouschek, a therapist who had spent decades working…

Read Blog

28 Apr 2026 | Ceremonies

May You Go Well

A dedicated group of celebrants gathered online to workshop Divorce and Uncoupling Ceremonies. For the close, I invited everyone to put forward a line for a blessing that may be offered at the close of a divorce or uncoupling ceremony and I offer it here as a compilation. May you…

Read Blog

04 Apr 2026 | Ceremonies

Divorce Ceremonies and Conscious Uncoupling

Online Workshop for Celebrants and those wanting to plan their own divorce or conscious uncoupling ceremony. Hosted by The Celebrant School, Te Wananga Korowai Aroha (New Zealand) When a couple marry, ceremony gathers community to witness and honour the joining of two lives. But when a relationship ends, there is…

Read Blog

13 Mar 2026 | Celebrants

Ceremony for a Stillborn Baby

Earlier this week a celebrant reached out to me after being asked to conduct a short funeral ceremony for a family whose baby was stillborn, while the twin survived. She shared that she had never conducted a ceremony for a stillborn or infant before and felt deeply aware of how…

Read Blog

09 Mar 2026 | Celebrants

Questions for Writing a Memoir or Eulogy

A friend was wanting to help his mum record some of her life stories and asked me what questions I asked when helping people write a memoir or write their own eulogy. Over these last few years I have been helping an elderly friend write her memoir. I found the…

Read Blog

11 Jan 2026 | Ceremonies

Returning to the Elements… Interment of Ashes

Ideas for a Simple Ashes Interment Gathering I’ve been reflecting on what can be helpful when families and friends gather to inter ashes, especially when the group is small and the intention is to keep things simple, meaningful, and unforced. An ashes interment can be an informal ceremony at the…

Read Blog

06 Jan 2026 | Ceremonies

101 Years Living and Loving

Opening Song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole “Today we gather to remember and farewell Grace Dorothy May Fletcher, a woman who showed her love not through fuss or flourish, but through showing up, getting on with things, and being there.” “On behalf of Grace’s family, I would like to welcome…

Read Blog

04 Jan 2026 | Ceremonies

Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes

“On behalf of Rosie’s family, I welcome you here today….We gather to honour and remember Rosemary Victoria Pearce, who died on her birthday, the 4th January, a day that already carried meaning, now holding both love and loss. There is something tender and poignant in that: a life completing its circle…

Read Blog

19 Nov 2025 | Ceremonies

Releasing Doves for Joyce Spillett

I met with Joyce’s family on a wild and stormy Sunday afternoon. Our original venue fell through at the last minute, there simply weren’t enough tables for everyone, so we shifted to the local tavern. By some small miracle, we managed to gather around two long tables tucked away in…

Read Blog

17 Oct 2025 | Ceremonies

Jim and Helen Gorman

Nearly two years ago, I had the honour of conducting the funeral ceremony for Jim, Helen’s beloved husband. Walking back into the family home last week, this time to farewell Helen, was tender and like visiting old friends. Even in their grief, it was lovely to see them again, to…

Read Blog
0