Celebrations of Life & Memorials
Perhaps the stars in the sky,
are loved ones letting us know they are near,
by guiding us through the night
Saying farewell to a loved one is the most difficult milestones in life for all of us. We need time for our private grief and also wish to honor and celebrate the life of our family member or friend.
Planning a memorial or celebration of life service can be tender, difficult and deeply meaningful and helpful in honoring the transition that has happened both for our loved one and for those of us who are still here in the world of the living. It also can be a joyous time of laughter and appreciative reflecting on the life that has been lived. Death marks the end of a cycle. It is a crossing of a threshold to the mystery of what lies beyond for our Loved One and a new beginning in our relationship with them and in our own lives.
As a professional memorial celebrant and grief counselor, I am here to support you in creating a beautiful ceremony and reception that is exactly right for your family, friends and for those who wish to gather to grieve, celebrate and say good bye.
There are many lovely elements to include in a service or ceremony, both traditional as in readings, favorite hymns or songs and a eulogy and more modern or non traditional, such as story telling, slideshows, memorabilia displays, tree planting, offering of the nature elements, offering of flowers, dancing and so much more.
How I will support you.
initial complimentary consultation
meeting with family members or lead planner for event to learn about your loved one and your wishes for your memorial
designing the ceremony elements and writing or support for writing the eulogy
guest greeting before ceremony
delivery of ceremony and support for others delivering parts of the ceremony
MC services for the reception, guiding guests, support for family, supervising story telling, guest sharing time
optional grief counseling before or after memorial
Please read these blog posts about some of the beautiful celebration of life services I have had the honor to officiate.
https://www.officiantgrace.com/blog/celebration-of-life
https//www.officiantgrace.com/blog/celebration-of-life-fair-winds-following-seas
https://www.officiantgrace.com/blog/soulmate-celebration-of-life
If you would like to see how I officiate Celebrations of Life please watch this video courtesy of Cory@bogleproductions
Reviews
“I am deeply grateful to Grace, who officiated my husband's memorial service with care and empathy. Her compassionate demeanor and thoughtful guidance were a comforting presence during this challenging time. Grace took the time to understand our story, tailoring the ceremony to capture my husband's spirit, bringing solace to all attendees.
Beyond her professional excellence, Grace's personal warmth and kindness were a great comfort. She offered wise counsel and gently encouraged me and my daughter. She genuinely cared about the wellbeing of me and my daughter and have checked in with us multiple times even after the service. Grace transformed our sorrow into a celebration of life, leaving us with a beautiful memory of my husband's legacy. I would definitely recommend Grace to anyone in need of a compassionate and dedicated celebrant.”
YuYu & Emily
“When our celebrant for my parents' celebration of life was suddenly taken ill, Grace was able to step into the role on short notice. She took care to talk to us to get to know our family, really listening to our needs, and went over the outline of the service with us to make sure it would be a good fit. She captured and reflected my parents' lives beautifully, and her calm yet joyful guidance was exactly what we needed. Grace's gentle encouragement of a moment of peace at the beginning, in order to breathe and settle and become present, was a special touch that I didn't know I needed, and brought us together in a very moving way. Many people came up to me afterward and commented what a lovely celebration it had been. It was a beautiful and healing day for us all, and I can't thank Grace enough for making it so.”
Michelle & Family
“Grace guided our family with such compassion and love as we said goodbye to my dad and spread his ashes at sea by boat. Her thoughtfulness and care were evident every step of the way, respecting my father’s wishes and our family’s needs.
My dad’s love for boating created a deep bond between us. He shared this passion with our family as we explored the San Juan Islands by boat. When I sailed to Ketchikan, Alaska, where he had lived as a child, he was there to guide us, holding a lantern in the dark channel to lead us to the finish line. Grace skillfully wove these cherished memories into a beautifully crafted ceremony. From creating interactive moments that honored his life to holding space for all of us to say goodbye in each of our own ways, Grace’s dedication was unparalleled.
As we arrived in front of my parents’ seaside home, Grace read the perfect poem for a farewell at sea. We released origami sailboats, crafted from quick-dissolve paper, adorned with love notes, carrying his ashes into the water. Our family also wrote our goodbyes on a giant paper lantern, which we lit and released, symbolizing our lasting love and memories.
From start to finish, Grace showed the utmost respect, care, and attention to detail. Her efforts created a meaningful and unforgettable tribute to my dad’s life. We are deeply grateful for her guidance during such a poignant time.”
Aimee & Family
“Dear Grace
Thank you for all of your help with our mother’s service. Your calm guidance helped Ken and I to send mom off in a way she would have enjoyed and been proud of. Thanks again, we couldn’t have done it without your help.”
Adrienne
“Grace did a really nice job helping us through a difficult time and our event, and she was perfect for us. We couldn't have done it with out her.
Thank you so much!”
Ken
“Grace was the officiant for my mother’s Celebration of Life. She is the best! She is very professional, kind, and skilled at what she does. The event was a huge success and Grace was a big part of that. We’re grateful to have found her.”
Lauren and Anna
