Funeral
ceremonies
Secular
The death of a loved one is a trying moment in our lives.
It triggers all sorts of emotions that may sometimes seem contradictory: from grief for the loss to relief for the end of suffering, from anger or frustration to serenity and even gratitude for the happy memories. All these reactions are normal, even though the experience may feel confusing.
A funeral service gives relatives and friends a sense of security as they begin the mourning process. The celebrant assists the family in preparing a ceremony that honours the life of the departed, acknowledges how much it impacted all those who came to say their goodbyes, and offers some inspiration to move forward. In short, you need it to:
your relatives and friends
Acknowledge the loss
Celebrate the life of the deceased
Voice the pain of separation
Find the strength to live on
And say goodbye
to the departed
Gather
My work is inspired by two trainers and their books.
Jeltje Gordon-Lennox is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
- She is the author of "Funérailles: Cérémonies sur mesure" (Labor & Fides, Geneva 2011).
- She also edited the collective work "Emerging Ritual in
Secular Societies: A Transdisciplinary Conversation"
(Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London/Philadelphia 2017).
Wendy Haynes is based in Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia.
- She wrote "Inspiring Funeral and Memorial Ceremonies",
a practical guide to creating ceremonies.
Would you like to explore further?
Contact me !