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…

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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…

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18 Jan 2026 | Elderhood

Upcoming program, Finding Peace as We Grow Older

Aging is happening to me not as a problem to solve, but as a lived, unfolding conversation, one I am learning to meet with kindness. There are lots of things to celebrate and a few things to mourn. My Ongo colleague, Jeff Joslin, and I will guide an online gathering…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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17 Oct 2025 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

An Intimate Ceremony for Sharon Ford

Aaron and Brock wanted to keep the ceremony for their mum, Sharon, informal and relaxed, especially with only around 15 people attending. I suggested we gather in a semi-circle in front of Sharon’s casket and begin with an opening song to help everyone settle into the space together. “Your coming…

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08 Aug 2025 | Ceremonies

Celebrating the Life of Patty Sharp

Patricia Narelle  (Patty)  Sharp I’ve known Patty for almost three decades, ever since I first arrived in Emerald Beach. In those early years, I’ll admit, I was far too intimidated to step into her Iyengar classes,  a confession that always made us both laugh whenever I visited her at her…

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