Funerals enable us to express grief and loss but they're also an opportunity to say thank you and farewell

Eulogy and Ceremony

Most funerals, whether religious or non religious, share some common elements

Music

There is no other language that speaks so readily about the beauty of life and the sadness of farewells as music. Music resonates with our deepest human emotions and is an important part of any funeral service. Everyone has a favourite piece of music.
Readings

Inspirational texts help give context and meaning to the human condition, life and death.
Eulogy or life story
This is where you talk about the essence of a person, their life story and what made them tick. This can be done by a single person, but more often these days it is a collection of stories delivered by various people. One person may choose to concentrate on the early years and family influences, another might speak about hobbies and passions, another might describe a funny incident and focus more on personality traits. Much has been written about what makes a good eulogy, but there really are no rules. Some people feel more comfortable with a chronological sequence of events to describe a life others will be happier with a collection of anecdotes.

Here are some tips that will help:
1. If the eulogy is a collaborative effort make sure you compare notes with other contributers so there is a flow and you're not repeating each other.
2. Remember you are writing for the spoken word, so read it a loud and write it as you'd say it.
3. Most people are more attuned to stories than dates and times, stories have meaning and connect people.
4. Keep it interesting and be descriptive.
5. Explain the essence of the person and how they touched other people's lives.
6. Remember special traits, quirks, the unique bits.

Celebrants are often asked to write a eulogy on behalf of a bereaved partner or loved one. Drawing a portrait of another person's life using the words and stories of those who knew them best.

Tokens and Symbols

Rich with metaphor and meaning, tokens and symbols can be powerful ways of expressing your feelings without using words. A common practice is to place items of significance on or around the coffin. It might be an old cricket bat because that was the sport they loved, shells because they lived near the sea, pictures, paintings - the possibilities are as many and varied as the lives of the people we celebrate! The placement of tokens is often designed as a specific event within a funeral service and a unique way of honouring the deceased.
Reflection

A quiet time of contemplation when we consider the life of the deceased and the meaning of life and death for each of us. This is often accompanied by music and a visual tribute.
Tributes

Really whatever you bring as a gift or acknowledgement, you may choose to play a piece of music during the service, perform a dance or read a poem you've written, it could be a floral tribute from your garden. Children are particularly good with tributes, most will happily draw a picture or make a card.

Visual Tributes

Visual tributes take an increasingly prominent place in funeral ceremonies, perhaps the simplest explanation is that 'pictures well used' can indeed be worth a thousand words.

Now with digital technology many people are able to create visual tributes of their own, with the addition of appropriate music these can be powerful ways to remember and honour those who've died.

The simplest form of visual tribute is a static picture board, an easy way to display a collection of photographs. However many people are now taking digital photographs and are using computer software to create 'slides shows' which include music and sometimes text. Older photographs and slides can be scanned and included within these tributes.

If you need advice please feel free to ask. Telling Moments is happy to help you with your tribute.

Funeral Fees

My standard fee as a celebrant and funeral consultant ranges from between $500-$700 dollars depending on time and distance.

That fee includes as many family meetings as required, the writing and delivery of a personalised funeral/life celebration and eulogy. Guidance and advice on music, vision and ritual and of course dealing with funeral companies.

I believe that being genuinely involved in supporting and guiding a family through this important time is an essential part of a celebrant's role and I'm happy to offer advice and recommend other caring funeral professionals who can assist.

On average I spend eight or more hours involved in the preparation and delivery of a funeral service, which is often spread over a three or four day period.

When looking at celebrant's fees it's useful to remember that the ceremony is at the very heart of what you're doing and usually a mere fraction of the overall cost. If authenticity and meaning matter, then my advice is do the ceremony well, the way you want it.