Funeral Celebrant Archives - End of Life Transitions

As one of Australia’s most active End of Life Doulas, and in my role as an independent Funeral Celebrant, I continue on this life’s journey of learning from spending time with the most interesting people that I have met along the way. Being with the well, the not-so-well, the dying, and those who have died, and their persons ~ family, friends, and carers ~ has touched my heart, mind and soul in a way that is hard to articulate in words.

It is indeed a very humbling, inspiring vocation.

At the end of last year, I spent time with one very, very special woman, on her deathbed. She was in a hospice where the staff were gentle and kind. And the solitary Christmas tree shone brightly and colourfully in the main foyer. A symbol of love and connection despite being the last Christmas for those residing there; and the last one together for the dying persons’ families and friends. The last Christmas for this inspiring lady who I had had the pleasure of knowing for 7 months.

As her End of Life Doula, she held my hand and thanked me for being with her on this ride. And we shared some tears. Kept holding hands. Listened to some of her favourite songs. Just listened… no words…just pure “silence” in amongst Jealous of the Angels and Sunshine on My Shoulders… And we just knew that there were no words that could truly convey the bond of sharing this most intimate of moments that comes with dying , whilst living up until that very last breath. Making sure final funeral plans were discussed. Talking about the letters she had written her grand-children. About relationships of love and healing. About her childhood. About her dreams and wishes. And how much she loved her husband’s singing voice and she hoped that maybe he would sing to her as she was dying. Or at least sing at her funeral or Wake (which he did) x

So it is people like this beautiful woman, and her family, that have entered my life and left their indelible footprints in my heart. This past year has been one of self-discovery and learning. I continue to build my confidence and comfort in this space. Whilst I continue to be humbled by the impact this has on my own life. My personal spiritual growth. My profound gratitude. And the unbelievable life learnings.

It’s hard. Very hard to put in words how the experience of working with the dying, and their families makes you a ‘better person’. It is with the utmost gratitude that I work in this end of life space. That I am humbly part of the transitions that occur at the end of life, and after. And the impact upon me as a person is HUGE. It is grounding. It is enriching.

Nov 24 202224/11/2022

Grief at Christmas

End of Life Doula, Funeral Celebrant / 24/11/2022 24/11/2022 / #deathdoula, #endoflifedoula, bereavement, death, dying, end of life, grief, joy, legacy, loss, sadness

The chair is empty this year… but the heart is full For many of us, special occasions such as Christmas …

Grief at Christmas Read More »

Sep 18 202218/09/2022

Making death and dying less scary…

Compassionate Communities, End of Life Doula, Funeral Celebrant, Licenced Willow EOL Educatorᵀᴹ / 18/09/2022 18/09/2022 / conversations, death, end of life, end of life doula, life, values

Aug 16 2022

Being a Funeral Celebrant is awesome but oh, so humbling!

Funeral Celebrant / 16/08/2022 16/08/2022 / #family, #funeral, #gratitude, #honour, #humbling, compassion, death

I am forever humbled for the absolute privilege to be asked to officiate funeral ceremonies. To have the opportunity to meet with family and sometimes friends of the deceased at their most vulnerable time and yet they are so open and generous in sharing the love, their stories and I their lives with me. Today I undertook a chapel ceremony that then journeyed to the graveside as family and friends said their final goodbye to their loved one in this physical life. There is not one family who has not taught me something or one person who has died importantly who hasn’t taught me something. And it’s with these learnings that I build upon who and what I value most in my own life. I get to meet the most wonderful people. And today, and this past week, was one of those times. Hand on heart sending my hugs and best wishes always to this beautiful family and their friends

And after a ceremony I just go back to Nature and just breathe x

Believe that you can put a dent in the universe.

Change the future for the better.

Follow your fire.

Choose to BE anything really, but choose it with conviction,

and give it everything you’ve got to make it happen.

https://www.logecamps.com/journalposts/2020/2/6/an-ode-to-adventure

Sep 28 2021

DON’T MISS OUT! WILLOW EOL WORKSHOPSᵀᴹ

End of Life Doula, Funeral Celebrant / 28/09/2021 28/09/2021 / #advance_care_planning, #end_of_life, #end_of_life_planning, #values_and_wishes

So excited to become Australia’s first Willow EOL Educatorᵀᴹ

When I saw the quality of the workshops that Willow EOLᵀᴹ founders, Michelle and Reena had crafted I just knew that I wanted to be part of this world-wide movement. These unique workshops have a distinct point of difference to many other end-of-life (EOL) workshops being offered. Across the 10 different workshops, each participant has the opportunity to reflect upon who and what is most important to them; their end-of-life values and wishes, and what legacy they would like to leave. They also are able to explore after-death wishes – which many people think about but often don’t have conversations about. And so much more!

So come and join me for my first 2021 workshop : How to Stop Procrastinating with End-of-Life Planning: A Willow Workshopᵀᴹ which is being held via Zoom on Saturday 2 October 2021 at 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM, Brisbane AEST time!

And come discover the reality of our mortality!

Oh, and if you miss this workshop, contact me and I will send you information on other Willow EOL Workshopsᵀᴹ that I will be facilitating online in 2021-2022!