Stream of Life

I have decided that I will post periodically a favorite poem that may or may not have to do with the subject of funerals. This poem bursts with the joy of acknowledging our deep connection to all life.
The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day
runs through the world and dances [...]

From Cary …

“I never made time to thank you yesterday, and wanted you to know you did a outstanding job and my family is very grateful for your representation of…. It was a great service.”

A thank you…

This note came to me from Shannon Herberg after a memorial service for her brother:
“Thank you Diane, Sunday was beautiful and healing in so many ways. I admire what you do for a living and I wish you all the best.”

Ross Bay Cemetery

I grew up in Victoria British Columbia, a lovely wind-swept town located on the very southern tip of Vancouver Island.
One of Canada’s oldest and still surviving Victorian cemeteries is Ross Bay. When I was a kid, many stories were told about ghost sightings and spooky activity on dark nights. Even now, Victoria is reputed to [...]

Natural burials, home funerals gain fans

Bob Butz is going to build his own coffin. It may double as a coffee table or bookshelves until he needs it. Butz, 38, is a Lake Ann author whose newest book, “Going Out Green: One Man’s Adventure Planning His Own Natural Burial” will be published July 1. While he was researching the book, he [...]

Remembering Bretta

She lived in a tiny yellow house with two dogs, two cats and a whole lot of cook books. Her cooking and baking were legendary, and her co-workers were often the lucky recipients of this talent.
Bretta grew up with many animal friends (and they were indeed friends.) Looking over photos from her childhood, most picture [...]

Losing a Beloved Friend

When I close my eyes and allow visions of my childhood animal companions to arise, I see my little dog Bitsy playing in the yard, my cat Silky dressed up in doll clothes with my little sister pushing her around in a buggy, and, from my teen years, my cat Elvis lazing in a sun [...]

More Why…

The tagline on my Celebrant logo says ” Every Life is Worth Remembering”. I believe that absolutely and fervently. Creating a meaningful service is heart-work. It need not be fancy or expensive and can be held pretty much anywhere. The intention and content are what count.
My ex-husband died in May of 2000. He was only [...]

A lovely note

An email from Lisa, for whom I conducted a Memorial Service for her dog, Molly. It was such a sweet time, concluding with a tree planting over Molly’s ashes.
“It was so wonderful. Perfect, and sincere, and loving, and humourous. Thank you for your attention to detail, and really understanding the essence of Molly and my [...]

Why I am a Funeral Celebrant

After telling folks that I am a Funeral Celebrant, and explaining just what that is, I am often asked why and how I chose this profession.
It’s still a work in progress for me to answer that question, easily and succinctly. In many ways, this profession chose me. So here is a little synopsis of the [...]