Ceremonial Marriage to honour your vision, joy, emotion and style
Claire Paterson
Civil Marriage Celebrant
Funeral Celebrant
~Victoria~Melbourne
~ Gippsland
~ Mornington Peninsula
Funeral Service
~
Celebration of life
From funerals with a company, to funerals at your home, I will assist you in the service to say goodbye to your loved one.
Most of my celebration of life/ Funeral's have been in the comfort of the home or garden, this isn't to say that I can't work with the Funeral parlour of your choice, just know that a celebration of life can happen anywhere.
Get in touch to discuss further. 0409937713
All about the process.
My service starts with a consultation with the family to develop a personalised structure for the service, which I will lead on the day.
A civil service usually features a tribute/eulogy and/or a review of the deceased’s life and times, presented by me or a family member/friend.
It may also include a reflection period, often accompanied by music, and/or an audio visual presentation.
Once the data has been collected the process can then move to email and phone conversations to have the script and details approved.
An order of service may look something like this:
Funeral/Celebration of Life
Celebrant: Welcome
Acknowledgment of country (optional)
Entry instructions (carry in, coffin in situ, etc)
All guests and family seated
Music 1 to be played as family/close friends assemble
Introduction by Celebrant
Reading/poem
Eulogy
Tribute 1
Tribute 2
Tribute 3
Tribute 4
Introduction to conclusion- Final words: Last 20 or so words before the slideshow is to be played.
Reflection slideshow
Including Song Title, Artist
Conclusion by Celebrant
Final words: Last 20 or so words before the closing music is to be played, so the AV person can listen out for them.
Closing music.
Commital by Graveside or Cremation
Introduction by Celebrant
Committal instructions (lower casket, close curtain, wheel out, etc)
Music 2. Title, Artist
poem/reading by Celebrant or family/friend (optional)
Conclusion by Celebrant
Final words: Last 20 or so words before the closing music is to be played, so the AV person can listen out for them.
Closing music.
Poems
With a Smile
Remember Me With A Smile
Now my life on this earth is done
My dreams have all been fulfilled
And a new life has just begun
Let’s be Thankful we shared precious love
Keep the memories warm for a while
Let them bring peace to your heart and
Remember me…with a smile
Remember Me
Don't remember me with sadness
Don't remember me with tears
Remember all the laughter,
We've shared throughout the years
Now I am contented
That my life it was worthwhile,
knowing that I passed along the way
I made somebody smile.
When you are walking down the street
and you've got me on your mind,
I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind.
So please don't be unhappy
just because I'm out of sight,
Remember that I am with you
Each Morning, noon and night.
Plant a Tree
“If when I am gone
Thou would’st honor me
Then plant a tree.
Some highway, bleak and bare,
Make green with leaves.
So radiant and fair
And full of leaves my monument will be,
So ever full of tuneful melody.
My monument will be
A sight most rare –
Trees planted everywhere.
A highway broad from city to the sea –
Plant this in memory of me.
By David H. Wright”
She/He/They Is/Have Gone
-David Harkins
You can shed tears that She/He/They is/Have gone
Or you can smile because She/He/They has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that She/He/They will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that She/He/They has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her/him/them
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her/him/them and only that She/He/They is/have gone
Or you can cherish her/him/their memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what She/He/They would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
The Comfort and Sweetness of Peace
– Helen Steiner Rice
After the clouds, the sunshine,
after the winter, the spring,
after the shower, the rainbow,
for life is a changeable thing.
After the night, the morning,
bidding all darkness cease,
after life’s cares and sorrows,
the comfort and sweetness of peace.
