Thank you for all you did to help us with the funeral of Ed. We appreciated it all. It was nice to share our memories and help you know Ed as the special person he was. Your love for what you do shines through in your words & deeds. We loved the way you greet people & draw them out as they attended the visitation. You truly heard about his life and work relationships...If you have a written copy of your words at the funeral, we would love a copy. You captured the essence of Ed's life and his love for us. - LR
"Just wanted to thank you for a wonderful service. I really appreciated the warm and kind words you spoke. I will always remember your kindness. You are truly a wonderful gift of God. Thank you once again!" - NN
Life is full of milestones we choose to acknowledge along the way. Taking the time and energy to recognize them in deep, spiritual ways is part of what gives life meaning and helps us create connection. I work with you to create a ceremony that represents your personal beliefs, may bring in traditions from different faiths, and reflects what you wish to accomplish. Ceremonies can be formal, informal, or anything in between, and held at almost any location. In addition, they can be performed by you or a person of your choosing when appropriate.*
Baptisms, Baby Blessings
Within the Christian tradition, Baptism is a symbolic gesture of welcoming someone into the family of God. Baptism does not necessarily dedicate a person to a particular Christian denomination, as that is the purpose of the Confirmation ceremony when a child is older. Baptism can be performed at any age, and can be done with a sprinkling of holy water or a full immersion in a lake or stream. Therefore, a baptism can be done in someone's home or somewhere special to the family.
Within the Roman Catholic tradition, baptism is a very important sacrament. Some believe that the soul of an unbaptized child goes to Limbo rather than Heaven in the event of death.
A baby blessing is very similar to baptism in that a child receives a spiritual blessing and welcoming into a family. Some families choose a baby blessing instead of a baptism because they consider themselves less connected to a Christian path but still wish a child to be blessed and welcomed into a family. This ceremony is as important to the family as it is for the child in that it helps families come together to celebrate the miracle of birth and build bonds with the newest member of the family.
Adoption
Bringing home a new son, daughter, brother or sister is a wonderful blessing! What a wonderful occasion to mark with a special ceremony. Let's create a memorable moment that allows your new loved one to feel special, and that joins them to you spiritually and emotionally. If you new loved one comes from another culture, we can incorporate rituals or ceremonies from their homeland or culture, to commemorate and celebrate the rich heritage they bring to your family.
Coming of Age
When a young woman or man reaches a certain age, a family may choose to create a ceremony that marks the time when a person is stepping into adulthood. This can be a very powerful way of helping a teenager assume responsibility for decisions about their future and to help the parents with the emotional process of moving into the next phase of their relationship with their child.
Funerals, Memorials, Celebrations of Life, Graveside Ceremonies/Relocation
At some point in our lives, we will all transition from an existence as we know it now to something else. For some, that transition is to Heaven. For others, that transition may be a return to a human or animal form, and for others, the transition is to union with the soil in which our bodies are placed. Whatever one's belief, the transition is not only about the individual who has passed on, but also for those who are still here.
Funerals, memorial services and celebrations of life are as much about the living as the person making the transition. I work with you to create a ceremony that not only reflects the beliefs of the person passing but also helps those left behind to find peace and say goodbye. I can work with the person transitioning and the family before it happens, or work with the family who remains to create the perfect way to mark one's passing. When contacted ahead of time, I can support and help the family through the transition before, during and afterward.
In addition, a family may wish to bring loved ones who have passed separately, together in one location. I can work with the family to understand the traditions and rituals performed at different periods of time and locations, consecrate new plots, work with cemetery officials to be present during the relocation, and lay a soul to rest in his/her/their new resting place alongside other loved ones.
Ceremonies can be performed by others! I'm happy to custom-write graveside ceremonies for family members or friends to deliver when appropriate.
"Hi Ronnie. Just finished with the service for Rose. So many compliments.... It was lovely. Thank you again." - DB (graveside ceremony written by me and performed by someone else in a different country)
New Home/Boat/Cabin Blessings
I am available to bless your new home, boat, car, cabin or other dwelling.
Pets
For many, our pets are more than furry or feathered children whom we love and care for all their days. We love them deeply and unconditionally, the same way they have loved us. I would be honored to bless, baptize or perform a funeral or memorial for your pets. I am most willing to be present and help you and your pet through the euthanasia appointment, helping them and you when they cross over the Rainbow Bridge.
*Some ceremonies must be performed by someone who has the pastoral authority to perform them. I am happy to share with you whether the ceremony you've requested is one of them or if the ceremony can be modified to be performed by a lay person.