Funerals – Celebrations of Life
Creating Memories, Delivered With Love.
To understand grief, we need to understand the process of grieving, the fact that it is natural to weep, to fall apart, to scream, to be angry, to be inconsolable at times, because, as difficult as it may be to recognise, experiencing this, within the grieving process, is actually an important step towards healing. Then, in our own time, we can begin to heal, but only when the time is right for us, and not before. Disrupting this process can lead to feeling of being cheated and having the right to grieve taken away.
The role of the Celebrant at this time, is to support, to listen and to understand, and then to tell a story. A story of life and love. To ensure that every wish the family may have for telling this tale are fulfilled, and to give the story a voice, when grief may have taken that voice, from the very people who need to have it heard the most.
Taking all of these things together and considering time and place and loved ones, the funeral, done well, can deliver a safe place, filled with safe people and a moment for the healing to begin.
The value of participation in the funeral planning and consideration, should never be underestimated. The inclusion of family members is not only important, but common sense, in that, who knows the deceased better than family members. Ensuring the family members have the option to participate in the funeral planning process, gives them the opportunity to say yes, or in other circumstances, the freedom to say no, but also the right to change their mind with time. This is a stressful time, and patience and understanding are key. The process can begin well before death, but with the understanding, that these things are not set in stone and can be changed if needed. Discussing with a loved one, the various components of the service, including speakers, choice of music, type of coffin, even location and style of service, and then implementing their wishes, can create a feeling of great comfort.
Every life, well lived, has a course to run, a path to follow and a destiny to fulfill. As we are born, so must we die, we cannot fear death, as without death, there can be no life. The life we lead cannot be infinite, but what is left, after death, will be everlasting. The memories of a life are as real as the life itself. and the memories of a love are as real as the love itself.
