What can a Celebrant do for you when you lose a loved one?
A Celebrant that specializes in Celebrations of Life is a person who seeks to meet the needs of families during their time of loss. This can be achieved by providing a celebration of life service that is personalized to reflect the personality and lifestyle of the deceased.
We offer an alternative type of service for those families who are not affiliated with a church or who do not wish to have a traditional religious service.
I have been trained to design a service that is completely personal, incorporating those unique stories, songs and experiences that defined your loved one.
Your ceremony can include music, poems, readings, and other elements, as desired.
The Celebrant’s Role
Celebrants are an integral part of any ceremony, taking a special interest in the deceased and the feelings of the family.
The celebrant functions as the presenter of a funeral ceremony or service, Master of Ceremonies, and organizer of the order of service for the ceremony.
I would first meet or speak with the bereaved family to gain a thorough portrait of the person who has died and his or her life.
Then I would prepare a unique written ceremony based on memories and wishes, including a detailed personal eulogy.
If required, I am can assist the family to decide what their public role will be for the service.
The Celebrant Difference
The alternative provided is different from the ceremony offered by a traditional clergy person and is perfect for those people who define themselves as non-denominational, spiritual, moderately religious or inter-faith. Yet, the service will contain many personalized elements and be fulfilling for families and friends.
You will be able to remember with great fondness your departed loved one and the ceremony you arranged to celebrate a rich and full life.
NATURAL OR GREEN BURIAL
a GENTLE ALTERNATIVE
Traditional burials and cremations have been around for centuries. Throughout the ages, traditions changed and cremation was at varying times forbidden by law and by certain religions. Yet in Roman times, cremation was the usual form of disposal of a human body. Trends changed over the centuries and was, until quite recently, banned by the Catholic Church.
Enter a third alternative, natural or green burial; although this method has also been an option for centuries, in modern times, it has emerged again.
So what is a natural or green burial? First, the body cannot be embalmed, neither in the more common sense with a formaldehyde based solution or using the more modern methods – although considered natural – they are still toxic. Big cold, wooden boxes (aka coffins or caskets) are not permitted. Headstones or any other mark for the grave which are not natural or biodegradable are also not allowed.
GREEN BURIAL SITE LOCATIONS
Fortunately, at the time of writing this piece, there are a number of natural burial grounds in Ontario. No doubt there will be more in the near future. For locations, please follow this link: https://naturalburialassociation.ca/natural-burial-in-ontario/
Therefore, all Ontario residents are in an excellent location for easy access to natural or green burials for themselves and family members. Having a close place for the celebration of life service as well as meaningful visits to the burial site in the months and years to come is an important advantage.
For additional information, please contact us.
More information is also available on the National Burial Association’s website at: https://naturalburialassociation.ca/and the Green Burial Society of Canada’s website at http://www.greenburialcanada.ca/
Aileen Dockerty is a Certified Funeral Celebrant with a diploma in Funeral and Family Celebrancy from United Kingdom Society of Celebrants. Aileen is also an Ontario registered religious official, licenced under the Marriage Act (Ontario). Aileen is located in Durham Region, also serving the GTA and throughout Ontario and can be contacted at aileen@aileendockerty.ca or 416-562-9235 for assistance and information – or just click this link.