Carolyn the Celebrant

29/10/2024

Writing can be a surprisingly helpful and effective strategy as you grieve the loss of a loved one. There is a terrific resource provided by Bare Funerals & Cremations that can assist you to remember, explore and express important feelings, aiding your grief process. The workbook helps you to journal with purpose through a series of guided reflections.

We have become a society that finds it hard to talk about death and loss, preferring to uphold the notion that happiness is the only way to be. However, in chasing happiness, we have neglected how our dark days are the seeds in which our happiness ends up thriving on. We want […]

11/06/2024

We brightly lit the Crick Chapel at Fawkner Memorial Park recently with twenty-four beautiful candles, each carefully selected and lit by a grandchild/great-grandchild of the deceased. The space felt warm, love-filled and sacred. These small, meaningful and personalised gestures are what Celebrations of Life are all about. 💖

11/01/2024

Living funerals and living wake celebrations are becoming popular. At last! A sweet and uplifting way to celebrate your person and show them how truly, deeply loved they are. 💟

Need help getting started? Life celebrations are my wheel-house, contact me for inspiration and fully tailored assistance.

As John Gilius's partner came closer to dying from terminal cancer, the couple decided to mark the event in a very special, and very joyous, way.

02/12/2023

Many of my families choose to arrange the ceremony stationary and slideshow themselves (saving time and money). 😊

If you would like to DIY, get in touch with me as I have some highly recommended Australian suppliers that can get you started online with ease, a minimum of fuss and beautiful results.

23/11/2023

I am always amazed at the imaginative way that families celebrate the life of their loved one. 💖💡

Here are some recent ideas from memorials that I loved:

- packets of seeds were handed out to guests with their memorial booklets, they were for the departed's favourite vegetables and guests kept commenting on what a beautiful idea this was

- flowers and petals from their person's garden were arranged in vases all throughout the chapel and were later carried by guests to the graveside, for placing on the casket in a sea of colour

- the guests brought a plate to the reception, each representing a favourite delicious food they'd remembered sharing with their person

- at a very small casual gathering, the children drew pictures and decorated the coffin with them, a slideshow played on loop and the family played music and shared coffee together afterwards around the coffin

- a young family member arranged 'karaoke' for their family, with songs much loved by their loved one sung together during the ceremony, with the words printed in the memorial booklets (it was beautiful and there were many tears and laughs as a result)

- after lowering the lights, each guest lit a candle and said a blessing, placing the candle in its holder on the casket with the flowers, creating a beautiful, live tribute and soft lighting just before the slideshow began

End of life celebrations are so different these days, any symbolic gesture is welcome and unique, personalised ideas bring so much comfort. Feel welcome to message me for more information. 💡

18/11/2023

I'm so pleased to announce that I now offer 'full suite' funeral and memorial ceremonies, as well as living wakes.

This means that I can work alongside you to design and create your slideshow and booklets, manage your ceremony music, and write and conduct a perfect service on the day.

As a result, you can organise your loved one's send-off privately, anywhere you choose and in whatever format you and your family select. Flexibility and personalisation (not to mention affordability)!

Contact me for more information. 💟

11/11/2023

In a strange coincidence, over the past fortnight I have been approached, post-ceremony, by several guests asking me if I would consider pre-writing their own funeral ceremonies for them.

How flattering, and how intriguing at the same time... 😊

On each occasion, I said "yes, of course" and thought "how lovely, they can then tell their own life-story in their own words". The more I considered it, the more benefits became apparent. It would release their family from the stress of remembering dates, facts and wishes whilst grieving deeply... and facing the myriad of decisions and running around that follows a loved one's death.

Pre-written ceremonies can also contain the client's unique messages to those they love, their own specific music and photo choices, and even sweet inclusions such as personalised gift ideas for their guests or their favourite recipes to be served at the wake (or anything else that takes their fancy)...

As a result of these inspired requests from my recent guests, I will be offering pre-writing as a service from January 2024, and I am excited to have already begun taking bookings for pre-written funerals/memorials. (I will also be offering a DIY pre-written funeral/memorial package, if this is something clients would like to do themselves).

Happy to discuss ideas. Contact me for more information... 👉

22/04/2023

Excerpt from THE BRIDGE ACROSS FOREVER
by Richard Bach

A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.

02/04/2023

A recent client had sadly lost two very much-loved family members just weeks apart. I was touched to be invited to conduct both memorial ceremonies, celebrating the lives of these two unique people. They had requested a small, intimate, cosy and casual ceremony and that's exactly what it was!

Beautifully arranged and coordinated by Bare Cremation in the most perfect small dining room setting close to where the family lives. Memories, laughter, recollections, food, wine and good conversation followed.

Farewell ceremonies can be individually tailored to the needs of your family, ask me for more information or for assistance with creating a ceremony that is just right for your family.

06/03/2023

As many of you may know, I'm passionate about assisting families to remember loved ones in the most beautiful, meaningful way possible. Here are some things that may be useful to know:

- You don't have to pay a fortune for a beautiful funeral or memorial, some new players in the industry have dramatically reduced the overheads and complications of the older, traditional funeral/memorial offerings. Ask me about this, I work with the best in the business.

- Consider a personalised casket, natural materials or even a shroud as a casket alternative. Include letters, small items and/or comfortable pajamas for your person instead of anything formal.

- Feel welcome to bring personal items that represent your person/their life to the ceremony. Framed photos, flowers, candles, books, keepsakes, perfume or cologne, pet portraits, favourite hat or shoes, the list is endless. Personalise the space as much as you'd like, it will be of great comfort to you all.

- Direct cremation (prior to ceremony), followed by a memorial ceremony is a lovely, streamlined process that is becoming extremely popular for families. You may then retain the ashes at home or have them interred directly following the ceremony at the cemetery.

- Music is so very important within the ceremony and your choices are vast. Think about your person's favourites from throughout their life, the songs you associate with them and their wishes. You may include live music, instrumental music, sing-alongs, and consider any number of songs, you're not limited to just one or two.

- Slideshow: It's ok if you only have a handful or photos, some people dislike having their photo taken and may not have many. In that case, consider pics of their holiday destinations, important life moments and family shots, they don't have to be all pictures of them.

- Consider holding the wake at a park, restaurant or even beachside. There are no rules, you can choose the most appropriate place to feel comfortable and share food and a drink and favourite stories about your person. Consider asking guests to bring along some special photos they may have of your person to share with you at the wake.

I can speak about funerals/memorials endlessly, it's my passion and I love using my story-telling and speaking skills to help create sweet remembrance and to mark a moment in time for families mourning loved ones. 💝

Let me know if I can help with a funeral for your family member. I appreciate that these are short-notice events and will speak with you to get planning underway at the earliest time.

27/02/2023

I love performing baby namings!!! 🥰

Here are my top naming day tips:

- Instead of a card, ask guests to bring a favourite picturebook or child's book and write a lovely inscription on the inside cover. These can then form your child's book collection as they grow, the messages of love will inspire.

- Instead of catering, ask guests to each bring a small plate of favourite party food that they or their child love, to share.

- Choose a shady spot for the ceremony that's quiet and protected from wind and sun. Consider the background (for photos) and a small table for certificate signing.

- Ask your godparents/mentors to write a paragraph about what they love about being your child's godparent/mentor. This can be incorporated into the ceremony or read as part of their pledge to the child, and a copy kept for their memories later in life.

- Be kind to yourself. Baby naming ceremonies can be stressful, noisy, and disrupted as other small children may not be able to sit still for long(!) Plan for a short yet meaningful ceremony and be open to a few delays or distractions along the way.

- Finally, choose a celebrant who is patient, kind, flexible and understanding. Oh and with a sense of humour.... They should be able to tell your family's story and capture your unique wishes, hopes and thoughts with ease.

Got questions, or would like to book your child's naming ceremony? (Yes, I'd LOVE to assist you!!!!) Let's talk! 🥰😘