Tag: ceremony

14 Jan 2025 | Ceremonies

From Warrior to Elder

I received an inquiry online today: “I’m wondering if you’ll be hosting any upcoming elderhood weekends. I’ve done the … boyhood-to-manhood rite of passage, among other things. However, strangely enough, while they have an elder community, no one has as of yet come up with a warrior-to-elder rite of passage…

20 Jun 2024 | Ceremonies

Kava Ceremony in Fiji

My partner and I had ten days in Fiji this month. The Fijians friendliness, care and kindness were an elixir of connection, nourishment and joy. Our niece, Mireille, also lives in Suva and she joined us for a short time for wonderful late into the night conversations and hugs. Aside…

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…

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,…

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…