Cheryl Opie
Civil Celebrant
Funerals and Living Wakes
Funerals for everyone
Just as we celebrate births and marriages, we can also honour and celebrate the end of a life with love, dignity, respect, appreciation and at times, humour.
Funeral / Graveside
Celebration of Life Ceremony
Memorial or Living Wake
There are many traditional and non-traditional ways to honour your loved ones’ memory: “Funeral/Graveside”, services. “Memorials” and “Celebration of Life” ceremonies.
The questions for a Funeral Service, Celebration of Life Ceremony, Memorial or Living Wake are much the same, they can be designed to suit yours or the deceased’s personality.
In preparation for the ceremony, you and your friends and family will be asked some questions that elicit memories about how your loved one lived his/her life. Sedately, gently, seriously, full of fun, with a weird sense of humour, outrageously, or flamboyantly? Were they an intellectual, a sportsperson? What did you/they love?
Are you ready to discuss funeral or living wake arrangements? Let's start the conversation.
Living Wakes
A funeral is an amazing tradition. The family throws a big party for you on the one day they know you can’t come! So why not join in on the big day?
Life celebrations or Living Wakes are becoming increasingly popular for people who wish to celebrate their lives with the people they love.
There is now a growing trend in how we are celebrating our passing BEFORE we die. Why miss out on all the entertainment, joy, love and all the fun and beautiful things your friends and loved ones would say about you when you are not here to hear it? You can share special stories and memories.
Very often we have regrets when a loved one dies and we wish we could have one more day to be able to say things that we now feel to be important. Things like, I love you, I’m sorry, perhaps it’s an opportunity to heal relationships.
A Living Wake or Life Celebration is a heartfelt tribute to a person whether their death is imminent or not.
You will be able to say how important they are to you. What you will miss most. Sometimes we don’t learn the most interesting attributes and experiences about a person until the funeral.
Whichever ceremony you choose, you will be supported with compassion, understanding, patience and sincerity to create the perfect service that both honours and celebrates the life of your loved one in a meaningful and loving way.
There's a bit more to discuss — the questions I'll ask to craft your ceremony — but the best place to start is with a conversation.