Death Cultural Work

$500 FUNERAL CELEBRANT

Sometimes there is time to prepare for the end of your own life, or the death of someone you love. Sometimes there isn’t.  Either way, it can be hard work and nowadays it isn’t always clear what to do.   I have experience working with individuals, families and friends to create meaningful and authentic ceremonies that speak to a variety of experiences.  I will work with you to  design a ceremony that suits you and your situation.  I am familiar with both Christian and secular ceremonies.

My commitment includes:

• meeting to clarify logistics and collaborate on designing a ceremony for your situation
• creating a digital service bulletin (you can have it printed if you choose)
• supporting participants in the ceremony who offer leadership (speakers, readers, children, etc.)
• presiding at the ceremony in person or online.

Optional/Additional:

• Technical support for an online gathering ($25/hr)
• Create and deliver a eulogy, including hosting a gathering for family and friends to contribute stories. ($250)

Have a look through my site to get a sense of who I am and if I am the right person to accompany you. If you would like to be in touch, send me an email and we can set up a time to talk.

$300 HOLDING YOU IN OUR HEARTS CEREMONY

Holding You In Our Hearts is a simple and creative ceremony designed for families to offer solace,  whether you are seeking to hold someone in prayer during a challenging time or looking to remember a loved one who has died.  Designed with children in mind, this gathering allows them to express their grief and embrace the concept of “holding someone in their heart.” Each person receives a fabric pocket heart to keep.   I can offer this time for you in an in-person ceremony in Toronto or with a virtual gathering on Zoom.  Includes pocket hearts for up to six people.  (Additional costs for mailing if required.)

MEMORIAL ALTARS

Collecting and arranging the natural elements that surround us in a mindful way is an ancient activity across many cultures.  Artist Day Schildkret has developed a practice called Morning Altars which invites us outside to wander and wonder and to create an offering from the particular place that we are in.   I am a  Morning Altars Certified Teacher  and I love to share this beautiful practice of creating ephemeral art.  I am open to individual requests as a part of a personal spiritual practice (free of charge).  And I am also available to faciliate small group experiences with a focus on grief and loss, LGBTQIA+ experiences, and spirituality.  Leadership fees can be negotiated.

$200 LAST RITES — WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU?

Over the years I have found that people are sometimes seeking a private conversation to explore the time the situation of their own particular death.  Sometimes this is a person with a terminal diagnosis, or someone quite elderly, but othertimes it’s the  chance to reflect in a private setting and clarify your intentions.   I have developed a simple process to engage:

• a set of questions for individual consideration
• a conversation in person or online
• a written summary of the key points to serve as a record.

Please note this is not a formal will, or any financial or legal document, but more an opportunity to explore what matters to you and what kind of ceremony or ritual reflects your values.

SPEAKING AND WORKSHOPS

I have offered the following workshops and presentations in the past:

• Crafting Memory — a series of workshops to share my practice related to grief  and creativity
• End Times — a half-day workshop for participants to consider their own end of life choices
• History of early Christian Burial – a presentation on the theology and practice of Jewish/Christian burial
• Family directed funerals and caring for the dead at home
• Grief and remembering at home

Send me an email if you would like to discuss any of these options.