Memorials and Funerals

Eventually, we all experience the pain of losing someone we love. No one is untouched by death, yet saying goodbye can be among the most difficult tasks we will ever face. Alongside sorrow and a deep sense of loss, grief can manifest as fear, anger, regret, guilt, relief and many other powerful and sometimes conflicting emotions.

There is no way around grief: you cannot take shortcuts, rush through it or get over it. Likewise, there is no "right way" to grieve the death of a loved one: no one path, process or timetable. There is only your way of grieving. But when you allow yourself to truly experience your loss, you also open to the possibility of healing.

Memorials and funerals create space to begin this grieving and healing process, offering a place for individuals and families to voice their sorrows and share their sadness with others, to mourn what they have lost or what they will not get to have, as well as to celebrate the life and honor the spirit of the deceased. 

West on Jade Photography

"I can't thank Hannah enough for the wonderful job she did with the service. I received so much positive feedback about how true to my dad it was. For that I am so grateful."

Erin Long Photography

Expressing feelings and sharing stories is an important part of grieving and healing after loss. As we explore the pain of our loved one's death, we experience gratitude for having had them in our life. As we remember all they meant to us, we discover they will continue to be part of our lives. As we touch our sorrow, we kindle our love.

​There are times when a death leaves too much unspoken or unresolved, when hurting goes deeper than the loss itself, or when the circumstances of death are more than we feel we can possible bear. This grief, too, must find its expression if we are to heal.

Whether you are planning a funeral, burial, ash scattering, memorial, celebration of life or other event, I will be there to guide you through reflecting on what matters now: what needs to be named, shared and honored about the person you have lost, and what wants to be invited, cultivated and instilled in those left to grieve.

 "The service was better than we could have imagined. Hannah was so familial and welcoming that some family members even felt as though they'd met her before."

 
​Funerals and memorial ceremonies are customized to reflect the personality, values and beliefs of the deceased while remaining sensitive to the needs and wishes of their family. Services can incorporate cultural, religious or spiritual traditions as well as universal principles of compassion, healing and hope. You may also wish to include prayers, scriptural readings, poems or reflections from loved ones.

​Typically ranging from $400 to $600, my fee varies depending on the size and complexity of the ceremony. Sliding scale and pay-what-you-can options can be discussed during our initial consultation, which is always available at no charge.

George Street Photo & Video

"Hannah has an incredibly grounded and loving presence. All of our friends and family members commented on what a wonderful officiant she is."

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