when life ends…

Vermont Celebrants is humbled to join you during one of life’s most tender times to craft a memorial ceremony, celebration of life, funeral, interment of ashes, or burial service that uniquely and beautifully expresses the life and spirit of your loved one, now passed.

We patiently honor your grief process and all its attending emotions, as we help to bring forth elements that exemplify your loved one’s life, including a thoughtfully-written and tenderly-delivered eulogy, or Story of a Life.

We are sensitive to the needs of all ages, particularly young ones, some of whom may be experiencing the death of a loved one for the first time.

Whether developing ceremony plans with clients or serving in her role as officiant, Martha is attentive and responsive; authentic, engaging, and warm.

the process

Crafting your ceremony begins with spending a few hours together with Martha. During this time, she asks a number of questions of you and other family members who may present. She’ll want to know about your loved one’s life, dreams, values, accomplishments, heartaches and more. She’ll also ask what style or tone you seek in the ceremony, and what beliefs guided your loved one’s life. Vermont Celebrants deeply affirms your and your loved one’s religious or spiritual beliefs, regardless of their strength or clarity, especially as they relate to the meaning of life and what happens when we die. Whatever they may be, we support your expression of them.

LISTENING

Over a period of days or weeks (depending on the timeframe), Martha gets to know you as she writes and develops your ceremony. With each client, as we work together, your ceremony - and the story of your loved one’s life - gradually gets fuller and rounder. We move from a skeletal ceremonial structure, to a first draft, to a revised draft, and finally (not until you say so!), a finished written ceremony. You see and approve not only every word to be spoken, but any music cues and “choreography” of the participants.

welcoming ALL IDENTITIES

Our services are diversity-affirming at their core. Martha is a member of the queer community and honors and celebrates LGBTQ lives. We welcome and seek fullest inclusion not only of religious beliefs, but of all races, abilities, ages, cultures, ethnicities, and even species (beloved fur babies!) that are represented in your loved one’s beloved circle. Ceremonial language, ritual actions, and multi-sensory elements are all incorporated with intention and welcome towards all.