Cynthia's mother's memorial and graveside service was the catalyst that caused Cynthia to become a Celebrant. After attending some poorly prepared funerals, Cynthia was bothered by feeling that a loved one lived, touched lives, left legacies and yet at the final farewell, few words were said that really honored the deceased. Recognizing that at these times, it is difficult for family to verbalize or even to know where to begin in creating a fitting tribute was often the reason behind a poorly designed service. Many times, families are at a loss when the deceased has not led a life active in a church family, where a Pastor may personally know the deceased. So, often through the Funeral Home, on-call clergy are called in to deliver the eulogy...and are often left just reading from the obiturary and saying a few prayers. Cynthia knew that this could be done much better. In the creation of her own mother's memorial, she realized that the work was healing not only for her, but for all who loved her mother. Through collaboration with her siblings, a story was crafted that told the story of her mother's life. A slide show was created to music that had meaning to her mother. The flowers were her mother's favorites and her graveside service was private...as her mother wished. The siblings and grandchildren wrote letters and with flowers, dropped them into the grave at the final farewell. They took turns either reciting readings or poetry or just had a conversation with her mother as she laid in her final resting place. It was at her mother's ceremony that many who attended told Cynthia that she should look to do this work professionally. And so, Cynthia took the training and became a Certified Funeral Celebrant. Since that time she has performed funerals and memorials. In one instance, even when there was a Pastor of a church officiating, she wrote and presented the eulogy as the Pastor's calendar was so full that week, he told the family that he would be unable to create the eulogy for them. The blending of the church service with the Pastor officiating while Cynthia presented the very touchnig and personalized eulogy, worked out beautifully. The family and the Pastor were all very pleased.
Fees: Because of the quick turn around time that most Funeral and Memorials will run from $300 to $500 depending on the services. Cynthia will talk with you over the phone before proceeding to an in-person meeting, so you may get an idea of whether Cynthia is the right Funeral Officiant for you. Because of the quick turn around time, full payment at the time of the appointment, or prior to the interview is requested.
At the meeting with the family and close friends, she will want to see photos, hear stories, understand the relationships and create a soul sketch of the deceased. She will want names and phone numbers of family members who cannot attend the meeting or friends that are close so she can interview them by phone as well. She will honor your requests on creating the theme you desire. She will create the service, allowing for others to speak in the ceremony if that is your wish. If needed, for an additional fee, she can create a slide show with photos of your loved one with music that was meaningful and special to be played at the service as part of the ceremony.
You are invited to pay by cash, check or credit card.
Cynthia's mother's memorial and graveside service was the catalyst that caused Cynthia to become a Celebrant. After attending some poorly prepared funerals, Cynthia was bothered by feeling that a loved one lived, touched lives, left legacies and yet at the final farewell, few words were said that really honored the deceased. Recognizing that at these times, it is difficult for family to verbalize or even to know where to begin in creating a fitting tribute was often the reason behind a poorly designed service. Many times, families are at a loss when the deceased has not led a life active in a church family, where a Pastor may personally know the deceased. So, often through the Funeral Home, on-call clergy are called in to deliver the eulogy...and are often left just reading from the obiturary and saying a few prayers. Cynthia knew that this could be done much better. In the creation of her own mother's memorial, she realized that the work was healing not only for her, but for all who loved her mother. Through collaboration with her siblings, a story was crafted that told the story of her mother's life. A slide show was created to music that had meaning to her mother. The flowers were her mother's favorites and her graveside service was private...as her mother wished. The siblings and grandchildren wrote letters and with flowers, dropped them into the grave at the final farewell. They took turns either reciting readings or poetry or just had a conversation with her mother as she laid in her final resting place. It was at her mother's ceremony that many who attended told Cynthia that she should look to do this work professionally. And so, Cynthia took the training and became a Certified Funeral Celebrant. Since that time she has performed funerals and memorials. In one instance, even when there was a Pastor of a church officiating, she wrote and presented the eulogy as the Pastor's calendar was so full that week, he told the family that he would be unable to create the eulogy for them. The blending of the church service with the Pastor officiating while Cynthia presented the very touchnig and personalized eulogy, worked out beautifully. The family and the Pastor were all very pleased.