When we lose someone, we are perhaps more real, more vulnerable than at any point in time in our lives. And yet, most of the ceremonies and rituals around death that we’ve become familiar with come up woefully short. It feels like an oxymoron…wanting to do something that feels big enough, deep enough, bright enough, honest enough, real enough, when you are already emotionally drained.
And as a society, we are in a bit of an awkward place…not particularly good at acknowledging loss…and at a time when we are beginning to embrace death a little better. But we’re not there yet. The pendulum swing between hiving everything off to traditional funeral professionals or taking it on yourself…when neither feels like a fit. And what often happens…nothing gets done…can leave us feeling even more empty and incomplete.
You may not know what you want to do, but you want to do something. Something that feels real and true to you and to your loved one. I can help you with that.
Or maybe you have a good idea already but just know that you want to be fully there, able to fully experience what is happening because the mantle of leadership has been shifted off your shoulders…so you can feel the embrace of your community at a time when you really need it.
I’ve done everything from active farewells for unborn/wee ones to wicked celebrations for practical jokers. All remarkable tributes. All fitting. But rarely traditional. Because that’s not what my people want. They want something that is big enough, deep enough, bright enough, honest enough, real enough. Something that truly celebrates life and love and all we are grateful for.
Let’s aim for something your loved one would love to attend. Because s/he will be there in spirit. For certain.
If I could leave Barbara ten stars I would. Without a doubt Barbara elevated the ceremony we held to honour our mother to a level the angels could have felt. THANK YOU. If you are looking for a ceremony that is unique and rich with meaning, you have come to the right person. Barbara will create a ceremony you and your guests will be able to recall, relive and replay for the rest of time. BRILLIANT working with you, Barbara.” — I wish I had met Stephanie’s Mom. She sure was loved.
It’s hard to find words of praise for Barbara that haven’t already been said. But I will try. A while back Barbara officiated a Celebration of Life for my sister who was a person with many special needs. My sister’s life and her achievements were not traditional but certainly were not without value and importance. I had wanted to convey her unique life where she shone in spite of her disability and her limitations.
When I met Barbara I shared my thoughts on how I hoped to achieve this and she was “on board “ in a few short minutes. It was as though her thoughts became an extension of my own. It was effortless and exciting to work with Barbara as we discussed how we would make this happen. Her insights, creativity and compassion were beyond anything I could have imagined.
After our initial meeting she was able to weave a beautiful tapestry of it all and made this Celebration of Life the beautiful and perfect honour I’d wanted to give to my sister. It was warm, genuine, inclusive of everyone present and radiated love. The energy in the room was palpable.
Many of the guests told me that it was most lovely Celebration of Life that they had ever attended. This certainly was true for me. So if you are looking for someone who will walk with you effortlessly through a difficult time and leave you with peace and a memory to treasure, Barbara is the one for you!
5 stars is not enough. Barbara is a truly talented, amazing, compassionate communicator and an intuitive soul. Such an enjoyable experience from the first conversation through to after the event (for us it was a celebration of life with graveside service). She is not like other celebrants that just read the words, she works with you to create something that truly fits your vision but elevates it to become incredibly more memorable than you thought possible. When she says “Relaxed. Real. Remarkable. Remembered” – YES! 100%!
I cannot say stop singing her praises and I’m not sure I ever will stop. She’s so unique, so full of incredibly good energy and her smile and laughter are genuine, full of life and fully in the moment.
Barbara – you are a shining light and I cannot imagine not having you by our side that day. I feel so grateful to have been blessed to have crossed your path if only for a moment in time yet the memories of your contribution will be everlasting not only myself but for all that attended. Thank you…