Sara Hawkins Celebrant

12/16/2024

Not all "how to get through the holidays" articles are helpful. But I really liked this one for its super practical tips. Whether you're missing a loved one who died or grieving another type of loss, there are likely at least a couple of good nuggets here for you.

Personal Perspective: Once I stopped trying to fix my recurring grief, I began to feel better.

11/23/2024

Well, I guess if there are and an , then it’s time for a too!! 😆 No but for real, to my fellow , I see and appreciate you! ☺️

11/13/2024

For the grieving kids in your life... or maybe even some grieving adults who need this important reminder.

Elmo and Jessie sometimes have big feelings when they remember Uncle Jack, but Elmos dad Louie reminds them that it helps to talk about their feelings.When F...

11/01/2024

This morning, in ‘s devotional book “Good Enough”, I read about looking to and being grateful for the foundations from which we were made…where we come from and the people attached to this.

This first picture is me as a baby in the stroller with my Grandma beside me. The second is an article in the local paper when she started Hawkins Pharmacy. The third picture happened last weekend when she celebrated her 99th birthday! 🎉

I often wonder if the people whose funerals I officiate knew how much they meant while they were still here. Were they aware of how they were “foundations” that impacted the people they left behind?

So this is your friendly reminder to let yours know. Look back at the people who have impacted your life. Don’t just think about parents and grandparents. Think about your teachers, bus drivers, mentors. Call, email, or write a note and pop it in the mail. You don’t know that you’ll have the gift of 99 years like I do.

We Westerners have done a pretty good job trying to “be self-made” and to “do more self-help/self-improvement”. But we stand on the shoulders of many who have gone before us. I, for one, am grateful for the foundation I have in this dear lady who personifies strength, grace, forgiveness, kindness and resilience in ways I don’t have time to describe. (And yes, she’s so cool she’s on Facebook!) I love you Grandma. ❤️

10/28/2024

He hated big crowds, funerals and being the center of attention. So we kept it simple and kept it as close to HIM as possible. Stories told by his wife of 42 years and their two kids who lost their husband and dad too soon. Lots of references to him drinking martinis and watching his beloved Leafs. A LOT of laughs and yes, of course a few tears. Most importantly, we focused on the loyal, hilarious and devoted man he was.... with the Tragically Hip to take us out at the end.

This was the email I was touched to receive from his wife after the funeral. He might have disliked the crowds and attention, but his family and friends needed to say goodbye and honour the incredible life that impacted so many.

10/03/2024

Such a pleasure to be part of these events yesterday! Thanks so much for having me Dodsworth & Brown Funeral Home - Burlington Chapel!

09/30/2024

Thank you Karen and the Ontario Funeral Service Association for your trust as I spoke at this year’s convention and for these words of encouragement that followed that absolutely made my day!

09/20/2024

Back in 2019, I decided I wanted to learn more about the world I’d worked in for the previous 6 years. I had served hundreds of grieving families, but I wanted to grow in my knowledge of how to serve and understand them even more. I also wanted to expand my qualifications as I speak in various settings about the important topic of grief.

So I began the journey of taking courses towards my certification of grief education with the University of Toronto. I took a couple years’ hiatus while working as a full time Celebrant for a couple of funeral homes (not to mention a pandemic!!) Then, after I went back to working as an independent again, I knew I wanted to finish what I started.

It may just be a piece of paper, but when this arrived in the mail, it felt like it represented a lot more! I’m feeling thankful to have the opportunity to keep growing and evolving as I continue to serve grieving families. I’m thankful for my professors at - especially and .karimajoy who I learned so much from!

I’m also very grateful for an amazingly supportive husband who helped make this happen for me. (Yes, you’ll notice I changed my name when I got married last year, but I’m holding on to Hawkins for work.) Most of all, I’m thankful to have the same passion all these years later for helping families utilize the power of story to move through grief towards healing.

09/18/2024

It was an incredible privilege to stand in front of 150+ Funeral professionals at the Ontario Funeral Service Association’s banquet last night and honour the funeral directors with 50 years of service. There were 7 special people in attendance, including Louise Brown shown here who I had the gift of calling my colleague during my time with Ward Funeral Homes.

These people put in FIVE DECADES of one of the most challenging and under-appreciated professions I know of, collectively serving thousands and thousands of grieving families across Ontario who knew they could call THEM during their darkest hour.

Please help me to continue to thank and congratulate them on 50 years of funeral service!

07/18/2024

I am beginning to partner more with funeral homes who are creating "pre-planning your funeral" workshops that people actually want to show up to! If you're interested in learning more about how I can enhance your seminar with my talk "Game Changing Ceremonies", I'd love to chat more.

07/03/2024

Love seeing the Celebrant movement making its way around the world! Here this Singapore woman describes the pivotal moment she had while attending a funeral in New Zealand that changed the way she saw the funeral business she grew up in back home:

“The funeral celebrant had masterfully woven a tapestry of stories, anecdotes, and memories that brought her life to vivid colour. The personalised and heartfelt ceremony resonated deeply, and I was struck by the significance of celebrating life and legacy in a meaningful and tailored way.”

As the only life celebrant in Singapore, Mei helps families honour their departed loved ones in unique and meaningful ways

06/17/2024

Take 2 minutes and start your week off with this sweet inspiration! :)

06/13/2024

I usually email poetry and blessing options for families to look through and see if anything resonates that they want me to include in their loved one’s funeral. I’ve now started to compile a “songs you may not know or that you wouldn’t think of to use at a funeral” list.

This one popped up on the playlist my daughter chose for us on the way to school this morning. I’ve had it on repeat and is now going to be added to that list!

Which one would YOU add?

Alex Warren - Save You A Seat Download/Stream: https://alexwarren.lnk.to/saveyouaseatIDProduction Company: Produced by: .simmons and ...

06/06/2024

If you own or manage a funeral home, my colleague Glenda Stansbury has some good nuggets for you here related to exploring unconventional approaches with families, attracting and keeping good staff and more.

When the Kates-Boylston Funeral Service Business Plan Conference kicks off in June, experts from all facets of the profession will be on hand to offer insight into rising trends in

06/03/2024

If you haven't seen this before, I encourage you to take 3 minutes and watch. It's helpful when thinking about how to care for people in grief. But understanding the difference between sympathy and empathy is helpful in general as a spouse, parent and friend too.

What is the best way to ease someone's pain and suffering? In this beautifully animated RSA Short, Dr Brené Brown reminds us that we can only create a genuin...

05/29/2024

I have officiated for these kinds of funerals and they are always understandably quite sad. I’ll never forget the one I did for the gentleman who was widowed and served in the Canadian Army. So all I was able to say about him personally is that “we know he knew love at one point in his life, and we honour him for his service”.

I do agree with this Celebrant. Every life is worth remembering, and everyone deserves to be remembered.

A Sussex council offers 15-minute public health funeral services, but sometimes no-one shows up.

04/25/2024

This was a fun memory for me as it was the first time I delivered the talk that would eventually become “Ripple Effects: Leaving a Legacy that Lasts”. (Thanks for having me back then World Vision Canada!)

If you lead a non-profit or any kind of “care” organization or company,, I would love to come speak at your next event to help encourage and inspire your team. For more information, check out the link in the comments to my website. Thanks!