Virtual funerals: honouring a life in times of COVID-19
A virtual funeral offers a meaningful alternative when a physical get-together is not possible. Rosalie Kuyvenhoven, London based celebrant, explains how a Zoom funeral works.
Funerals in times of Covid-19
Covid-19 has a profound impact on funerals and bereavement. Virtual funerals and meaningful rituals help mourn a death and honour a life lived. Views from Rosalie Kuyvenhoven, London based celebrant.
Beautiful poems and readings for an autumn funeral
Every season has its own special beauty. Autumn has many attributes that relate to the cycle of life and death. Watching nature transform its colours from green to a palette of golden yellow, bright red and warm brown is a delight. Yet, there is also a sadness in all this beauty as it is also[…]
From child to t(w)een: a non-religious coming-of-age ceremony
The transition from childhood to adulthood, the ‘coming of age’ of children to become young men and women, is a significant stepping stone in everyone’s life. Many traditions around the world have rituals and ceremonies to mark and remember this pivotal moment in someone’s life. They are often linked to religion, such as Bar and[…]
Free download: a Guide to Dementia Friendly Funerals
A Guide to Dementia Friendly Funerals. Written by Rosalie Kuyvenhoven in association with Dementia Friendly Haringey and The London Cremation Company and sponsored by the National Association of Funeral Directors. Including people with dementia, where possible, in funeral arrangements and on the day of the funeral helps them express their emotions and say their farewells[…]
Supporting people with dementia: how to have a dementia-friendly funeral?
How to have a dementia-friendly funeral? In this blog, I take you on my own journey in finding out who to support bereaved people with dementia. Learn why this is important, what it involves and how you can make a positive difference. Check also my online training on this subject: It started with awareness …[…]
Real wedding: Fleur and Jaap’s London wedding with a Dutch touch
Real wedding: a personalised wedding ceremony with a Dutch touch
Real wedding: Aika and DongYoung’s small and intimate wedding ceremony
Weddings come in all shapes and sizes. Big, tiny, lavish, luxury, simple, creative, serious, hilarious, traditional, unconventional, loud and still. In the ‘real weddings’ blog posts I describe how I work with couples to create and conduct bespoke wedding ceremonies to celebrate this special moment in their lives. The below is an impression of the[…]
Dementia and grief: how to support people with dementia in funeral arrangements
Quite a few funerals I conduct are related to dementia. Either the person who has died or a living family member has been diagnosed with the disease. This raises specific questions and thoughts around funeral arrangements, such as: “Should we take mum to the funeral? She will not remember anything of it” “We don’t need[…]
Unique tribute ceremony for an iconic community building
Cheers for Hornsey Town Hall, an iconic community building in the heart of Crouch End that is closing its doors for redevelopment. Screenshot from video by Sugarsweet Productions The vast majority of the ceremonies I lead are for people: babies who are given a warm welcome into the world; couples who commit their love to[…]
Beautiful ways to honour a loved one at your wedding ceremony
Meghan Markle’s wedding bouquet included forget-me-nots, Diana, Princess of Wales’, favourite flowers. Prince Harry had handpicked them. I was quite moved by this detail. A subtle, gentle, heartfelt and truly personal way for Harry and Meghan to honour Harry’s mother. How to honour a loved one at your wedding When you are getting married you[…]
How planning your funeral (and talking about it) benefits you and your loved ones
Sculpture on grave at Zorgvlied Cemetery, Amsterdam Discussing your own funeral is not something you typically do at the dinner table, at a friend’s birthday party or during a coffee break at work. For many people, death is something they rather not think or talk about. It might evoke fear, sad feelings or images of[…]
The Goodbye-box: a playful way to help children grieve
Children grieve too but they do this differently than adults. Unlike adults, children have a limited ability to express their feelings, thoughts and memories verbally. Alternatively, play can be an effective and safe way for them to give messages on how they feel. Bonnie Jansen, who teaches at a primary school in the Netherlands and has[…]
Is taking children to a funeral a good idea?
“I am not sure if I should take my children to the funeral. What do you think?” Can I take my child to a funeral? It’s a question parents often ask me as a funeral celebrant. If prepared well, attending a funeral can be a healthy, healing and positive experience for children. The following feedback from a[…]
Spotlight interview with award-winning blog Engaged and Ready
A precious moment at S&R’s wedding. Photo by Paul Wilkinson Photography It has been a great honour (and lots of fun!) to be interviewed by award-winning wedding blog ‘Engaged and Ready.’ If you don’t know this blog yet, check it out. It’s filled with advice and inspiration for wedding ceremony guiding and planning, life-living,[…]