Ashleigh Martin - Authentic Life Celebrations

09/07/2021

Feeling for the families that the new restrictions will be hurting significantly - numbers capped at 10.

We went through this last year, with numbers being reduced.

Hang in there

17/04/2021

What would you choose if you could have any mode of transport for your final journey?
So many other options apart from choosing the traditional hearse.

The Duke of Edinburgh oversaw modifications to the car, which will carry his coffin at Saturday's funeral.

17/04/2021

My new website is now live.

12/04/2021

The past week was amazing to unwind and relax with my little family down the coast.
Being by the water is so calming and relaxing!

What do you do to unwind and reset?

19/03/2021

Do you have any traditions when it comes to death and dying? I stumbled across an article today on the Irish way of death and dying, some traditions go far far back like the below;

All clocks are stopped at the time of death. This marks the time out of respect, and also prevents bad luck.

All the mirrors in the house are covered so the spirit of the deceased is not trapped inside.

All the windows in the house are opened so the spirit of the deceased can leave the home.

19/03/2021

Tender funerals are growing! They are a not-for-profit funeral home in the Illawarra offering affordable funerals to everyone. This is exciting news for them.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7171987/port-kemblas-not-for-profit-funeral-home-to-undergo-350k-expansion/?cs=320&fbclid=IwAR3xc7_p03Brq0O9OuSn28Q0QqI9XTQB1K5lB9sI90Wa9dUwXQx4xhZTOHE

The transformation of the old Port Kembla Fire Station into a community-based funeral service will receive a $347,000 boost from the NSW government. The fundi...

12/03/2021

Today I sat down with the lovely Malika who is also a celebrant. We talked about ceremony, families, life experiences and all things funerals.
We brain stormed ideas that we can offer our families to make their ceremonies even more special.

We have a few ideas we are working on together so watch this space!!

11/03/2021

I have had many families in the past say "oh Ashleigh, it feels so frantic and crazy trying to plan a funeral".

The best advice I can give you is this: slow the process down.

There is no need to rush funeral plans or even rush through the funeral. You only have one chance to farewell your person. Don't be afraid to ask your tribe for support.

Book that double timeslot at the chapel. Take your person home if you need to.
Ritual is so important. Just slow down.

Do what you need to do for you. Its your person.

Just slow down. There is no rush!

You only get one chance to farewell and celebrate your person's life, make it count

10/03/2021

Now offering online consultations!

If you are pre-arranging or needing to arrange a ceremony but don't live local in the Illawarra/Sydney surrounds areas, we can arrange a time to meet virtually at a time that suits you.

This means anyone, anywhere can engage my services!

I want you to have an authentic and meaningful ceremony that is tailored to your needs!

Enquires:
Ashleigh@authenticlifecelebrations.com

04/03/2021

“Each person's grief is as unique as their fingerprint. But what everyone has in common is that no matter how they grieve, they share a need for their grief to be witnessed. That doesn't mean needing someone to try to lessen it or reframe it for them.
The need is for someone to be fully present to the magnitude of their loss without trying to point out the silver lining.”
—David Kessler

01/03/2021

Exciting news!

I am now a member of the Funeral Celebrants Association of Australia.

NSW Funeral Celebrant Ashleigh Martin, and member of Funeral Celebrants Association Australia