My focus as a civil celebrant is with loss and grief. The bulk of my work is therefore funerals, sometimes referred to as transitional or end-of-life ceremonies. However I also craft and perform the following: handfastings, baby naming and adult renaming’s, cleansing and blessing the home, personal healing rituals, rites of passage, transitions through crisis, and work related ceremonies as requested.
As a member of the Grove of the Summer Stars, Aotearoa, I also participate in seasonal and full moon ceremonies. It therefore goes without saying that all my ceremonies have a strong spiritual base which is expressed on varying levels, reflecting on the needs of the client.
Life is a series of transitions, and the final one in the apparent world deserves our full spiritual attention. Bringing together a funeral ceremony usually takes place after death has occurred but there are times when funerals are pre-planned and it is a great privilege to be part of this process. Liaising closely with funeral directors is important to me to ensure the families’ we work with receive the very best professional care possible to make a difficult time as stress free as possible. With deep listening, compassion, and integrity, I work at a pace the family can manage to create a ceremony that meets their needs; one that lovingly and respectfully honours the one they have lost in the physical world. Venue can be a large part of how the ceremony unfolds, as does the active involvement of family and friends as they feel able.
Finding fresh and relevant resources is high on my list of priorities as every ceremony is crafted specifically for that individual. I particularly like to draw on the rich and abundant material from New Zealand writers if that is appropriate.
I gained my Certificate in Celebrant Studies in 2005 and furthered my training in 2007 by completing a Certificate in Applied Grief when I realised my interest, and strength, was in the field of loss and grief. As an active member of the Celebrants Association of New Zealand (CANZ) I am committed to ongoing professional development for myself, which I undertake in both New Zealand and overseas, and networking with other celebrants.
While most of my work is in Wellington City, New Zealand, I also cover the greater Wellington area and happily travel further afield if requested, travel costs additional.
For further contact details please visit my website here.