Honouring a Sacred Life with choice, creativity and heart

Most of us don’t like to think too much about funerals.  But when the time comes to say goodbye to a loved one, they matter a lot.

No matter what the circumstances, losing someone close often brings a sense of shock, deep sadness and profound personal change.  It is a time for deep reflection and for being gentle with ourselves as we acknowledge the reality of our loss.  It’s also a time to give thanks for a unique life and say goodbye to their physical form.

A unique, heartfelt funeral ceremony is an opportunity to mark the passing of a human life with sorrow, integrity and hope for the future.  A well crafted funeral will live long in the memory and can even be a source of comfort in the months and years to come. Unfortunately, some of our funeral experiences may have been less than comforting and may even have increased our deep sense of loss.

Do you recognise any of these situations?

You have been to several funerals that bore no relation to the person you knew and loved. Athough well intentioned, the service did not reflect that person’s unique value.  Suddenly it’s all over and you are left feeling vaguely dissatisfied.  

Like 4 out of 5 people in the UK, your loved one did not attend any place of worship on a regular basis. So traditional language about God, sin and salvation feels completely inappropriate.

A strictly Humanist approach isn’t quite right either as you and your loved one have some sense of the spiritual and you would like this to be reflected in the ceremony.

You or someone close is facing a terminal illness and you want to use the time you have left consciously to plan a service that truly reflects what matters most and to leave messages of love and comfort to those you will leave behind.

You hold strong ecological principles that would be supported by a less traditional, Green funeral.  You would like to combine this with a more creative approach.

You and your family come from a mixed religious heritage and you would like that to be acknowledged with appropriate prayers and scriptural readings from different faith traditions.

Things can be different with an Interfaith Ceremony

Whether you wish the funeral ceremony to be religious, non-religious or spiritual, it is your beliefs and values that matter most, not ours.

Helping to create a beautiful heartfelt farewell can be something positive to do at a time when you sometimes can feel powerless.   Nothing can take away the shock and sadness of a death, but a well-prepared meaningful ceremony that you have helped create, can go some way towards easing the pain.

An Interfaith ceremony could be for you if:

• you wish to be involved in the creation on of the ceremony and the funeral itself
• you want to reflect your unique combination of spiritual, religious or non-religious beliefs
• you want a ceremony that truly reflects the life and spirit of your loved one

Helping you express your love – how it works

It takes enormous courage meet the challenge of creating just the right kind of ceremony to honour your loved one, even though your grief may be overwhelming.  As an Interfaith Minister, I am here to support you every step of the way during the creative planning beforehand and by holding sacred space during the ceremony itself.

Within a day or two of your call, I would sit with you and help begin to plan what you want to say and how you want to say it.  Whenever possible, I would encourage friends and family members to write and read the eulogy.  I can also help you choose music, readings and other contributions that reflect your loved one’s life and values.   Guidance on appropriate rituals can also be offered so that all those who wish can be directly involved.  After our meeting, I will draft a service for your approval.  So you can make additions and personalise the funeral in any way you wish. Together we will create a ceremony that is respectful and completely captures your loved one’s essence while blessing the transition of their soul beyond this world.

Why work with me?

Unique, meaningful funerals take time, sensitivity and a high degree of personal and professional skill. I have had decades of working professionally with individuals and groups in sensitive situations.  This means you get much more than a carefully planned and sensitively conducted ceremony.  I also intend to be a presence of calm, compassion and understanding at this important time.

Support beyond the funeral – through the darkness into the light

The time immediately after a death can be very busy and all-consuming.  Often it is only as the weeks and months pass that the reality of the loss really begins to sink in. When someone close to us dies, it is natural to feel a whole range of emotions including deep despair, depression, guilt, anger, loneliness and disbelief.  You may begin to question any faith you had and many more things you had previously taken for granted.  You need to know you are not alone as you face the unfaceable.

In a space of love, acceptance and complete confidentiality, I can support you to express your feelings, share memories and eventually to gain a deeper sense of acceptance and inner peace as you begin to take the next step in your life.

For support in saying goodbye and celebrating the life of a loved one or for accompaniment on the journey of bereavement, contact Janette

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