Category: Ceremonies

26 Nov 2023 | Ceremonies

Mourning and Celebration Circle

It’s my experience that the more we engage in deep listening and mindful presence as individuals and as a community, the greater is our capacity to be present to what is happening in the moment, no matter what. I wrote the poem below after a Mourning and Celebration circle for…

24 Nov 2023 | Ceremonies

A River to the Sea—Running Free

Two Strong Hearts I always take a few conscious breaths when I come to stand at the lectern or at the front of the ceremonial area. I pause a moment to connect with myself, the guests—right to the back of the room, and to the closest family at the front….

16 Nov 2023 | Ceremonies

Celebrating the Life of Denise Smith Denise was privately cremated and the ceremony was held in the Woolgoolga Lakeside Caravan Park ‘gathering space’. Denise worked here for over a decade and she absolutely loved the place. After the words of welcome… Denise Smith… also lovingly known, by different people, as…

16 Nov 2023 | Ceremonies

Charles “Barry” Duncan

The Words of Remembrance Let us give thanks for Barry’s life. In his last days, Barry quietly said his time was up. He knew it wouldn’t be long and was accepting that this was his time to leave. Even though we know this is the natural way of things, Barry’s…

09 Nov 2023 | Ceremonies

The Dawn Has Come

A small private family ceremony was held for the Late Nita Matten. I closed the ceremony with the quote from the poet, Tagore. Death is not extinguishing the light, but putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.  

06 Nov 2023 | Ceremonies

O Mio Babbino Caro—Oh, My Dear Papa

Bob’s family, chose the evocative track of music O Mio Babbino Caro sung by Andre Rieu and Amira Willighagen as the opening song for the Celebration of the Life of Marius Laurentius Gimbergh, who was lovingly known as Bob. I conducted the funeral and graveside ceremony for Bob’s beloved wife,…

03 Nov 2023 | Celebrants

An Estranged Son’s Tribute to His Mum

I met with the family of a woman who had died unexpectedly: her siblings, in laws, adult children and their partners, and grandchildren. They laughed and cried as we told stories together. It hadn’t been an easy family life with alcohol and partying being a strong theme, and none of…

28 Oct 2023 | Ceremonies

James Gorman—Jim, Gormo, Dad, Pa…

Six pallbearers carried Jim’s coffin into the chapel while we listened to Charlie Pride sing, I’m Just Me.  After the coffin was in place, the pallbearers were seated and I had stood near the lectern, Paul Scherr, Jim’s son-in-law, offered a ceremonial military salute with a drawn sword. Excerpts from…

10 Oct 2023 | Celebrants

Cara Curan – Wild Heart, Gypsy Soul

Cara died a short time after she had successfully received a heart transplant. Cara was a courageous and beautifully wild young woman who was an advocate for HRI and organ donation. She was just 39 years old and had her wedding dress ready to marry her fiancé on the 28th…

10 Oct 2023 | Celebrants

Celebrating the Life of Brad McKibbin

Brad lived at home with his mum and dad for most of his 39 years.  It was a huge shock when he died unexpectedly.  Meeting with them at their home in the tender place of grief and the sharp space of disbelief, they told of their love and joy of…