Embrace Civil Ceremonies

21/12/2024

❤️ Blowing the cobwebs away on the shortest day with two of my favourites. Bring on the returning of the light and the lengthening of the days ……but for now a cosy fire, a Gin and family time ❤️

18/12/2024

❤️ What a lovely turn out of people for our Christmas Memorial Service at Dundee Crematorium tonight. Lovely to work alongside Rev Lorna Tunstall and to see all ages in the chapel. Thanks to all who came and joined us on the live stream ❤️

18/12/2024

❤️Dundee Crematorium’s Memorial Service will be live-streamed at 6pm or available to watch back for anyone who can’t join us in person but would like to be part of our Christmas Service - details below ❤️

17/12/2024

💔❤️
This time of year is full of light, sparkle, family, friends and hope for many but for some the darkness and life’s challenges become too much to carry.

This evening sees another rescue operation on the River Tay; that complete loss of hope is difficult for many of us to understand; the devastation for the families left behind impossible to comprehend. Su***de is still something we don’t want to acknowledge or speak openly about; it effects so many families and people of all ages, leaving many questions unanswered and conversations unspoken.

Donna Ashworth is local poet whose poems on loss don’t shy away from the most difficult subjects: this is entitled Peace at Last❤️

Every day I wonder
were you afraid
did you change your mind,
did you immediately regret
when you left that day?

Every day I wonder
Could I have done more
said something wise
to make you see that
there are other ways
to stop the pain?

Every day I wonder
if you are up there.
looking down
seeing what you had
that you just couldn't
clear your vision to see
when you were here?

If you are
I hope you have found
The peace
you so sought here on earth

The peace that outran you
at every turn
the peace that was never
within your reach.

Because you deserve that peace
At long last.

And I will try to take peace from that
I will try to take peace from that.

17/12/2024

❤️ Wee reminder for our Memorial Service at Dundee Crematorium tomorrow at 6pm - tea, coffee and cakes from 5.30pm. The service is for everyone - all ages and faiths welcomed to join in remembering loved ones who we are missing at Christmas and as we move into a new year. Candle lighting, memories on the tree, some carols, bagpipes and a chance to hear the wonderful Ancrum Road Primary School Choir. Please feel free to share with anyone not only those who have had services at the crematorium- all warmly welcomed ❤️

15/12/2024

❤️

Forever
is a long time
to miss someone

Especially when
their absence leaves
such a lasting mark
on your heart

They say time
heals all wounds

But some absences
create such deep scars
in our hearts, that
time moving forward
only seems to
deepen our longing

Yet in this ache
there is comfort in
the small things ~
old pictures,
a familiar scent,
a song …
a connection that
existed on earth and
now in Heaven

To miss someone forever
is to keep a part of them
alive within us ,
to hold onto who they were
and what they meant to us

As life moves forward
you learn to carry
them with you,
not only in your thoughts
but in who you are

And so life goes on
New memories are made ~

Yet that special
place in your heart
always remains theirs

Forever is a long time,
but it also a testament
to the ever lasting
power of love

Until we meet again …
Author-unknown

12/12/2024

The bereaved families I meet are some of the bravest, strongest, most inspirational people ❤️ Brave comes in many different forms - some days it’s just getting out of bed and facing the world - even if you have to pretend to everyone else you are more OK than you actually feel❤️

07/12/2024

❤️ Sending lots of love to everyone who is missing someone special.

The lead up to Christmas is so special and magical however for many, especially those recently bereaved and facing a first Christmas, it’s very difficult - everyone else celebrating can compound the feelings of lonliness and sadness.

My dad loved Christmas, it was his favourite time of the year, he was so generous and thoughtful; so organised. It’s hard to believe this will be our 11th one without him - still so missed. It was always a very special day - normal life paused - so many happy memories of those days when we were all together.

It’s important to remember ….. to cherish those memories made and the love we shared …… it’s those moments that get us through the darkness and the hard work of grieving.

Please share a photo and memory of your loved one in the comments, I’ve spoken for so many of you over the past ten and a half years and you have all become a part of my journey…..

I’d love to see you at the Remembrance Service at Dundee Crematorium on Wednesday 18th December at 6pm - some Carol singing, hoping we have a lovely and talented school choir, lighting of a candle, a chance to write a message for a loved one for the tree and to be together for an uplifting service….. and cake and coffee! ❤️

03/12/2024

❤️ In a fair world a child should not face the loss of a parent; they should not be sitting in the front row of a funeral looking at a coffin surrounded by sadness and tears. Unfortunately we don’t live in a fair world; life gives lovely people challenges which are sometimes too big to overcome.

Today was one of those days when I am reminded of the strength of the human spirit; of how resilient and amazing children are and how love is unbreakable even by death.

A truly ‘unique and extraordinary’ young woman whose legacy lives on in the beautiful wee girl who has endured today the hardest goodbye ❤️

28/11/2024

❤️ Honoured to be invited along with Minister Lorna Turnstall to conduct Dundee Crematorium’s Christmas Memorial Service on Wednesday 18th of December at 6pm. This will be an uplifting service for all ages including children; an opportunity to reflect, remember, light a candle for a loved one, leave a message on the tree, sing some carols and share in what is a very difficult time of year for those who are bereaved.

We would love to have a room filled with folk, a sharing and coming together to remember those we miss and to remind ourselves we are never alone in our sadness ❤️

23/11/2024

❤️ Grief and loss come in many forms throughout our journey; the bumps in the road can be overwhelming without the right people and support but with love, time and patience the darkness will lift; nothing stays the same forever.

I love these words from Ernest Hemingway

‘In our darkest moments, we don’t need solutions or advice. What we yearn for is simply human connection—a quiet presence, a gentle touch. These small gestures are the anchors that hold us steady when life feels like too much.

Please don’t try to fix me. Don’t take on my pain or push away my shadows. Just sit beside me as I work through my own inner storms. Be the steady hand I can reach for as I find my way.

My pain is mine to carry, my battles mine to face. But your presence reminds me I’m not alone in this vast, sometimes frightening world. It’s a quiet reminder that I am worthy of love, even when I feel broken.

So, in those dark hours when I lose my way, will you just be here? Not as a rescuer, but as a companion. Hold my hand until the dawn arrives, helping me remember my strength.

Your silent support is the most precious gift you can give. It’s a love that helps me remember who I am, even when I forget.’ ❤️

10/11/2024

❤️

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

27/10/2024

❤️ Our newest arrival to the Embrace Clan little Daisy arrived from Romania 3 weeks ago - she’s got the hang of Sunday nights already - thinking about work whilst procrastinating and having forty winks. Hope everyone enjoyed an extra hour in bed this morning, can’t beat the alarm off and a long lie ❤️

19/10/2024

Morning everyone ❤️ been a busy summer of ceremonies and now we’re into Autumn already. Dundee Crematorium’s closure for attended services over these past months has been challenging for families however many people have found a service at a hotel or in the service rooms of their Funeral Director has been a more intimate, relaxed and more gentle way to say goodbye.

I’ve been here, there and everywhere - hotels, social clubs, service rooms and other crematorium including the lovely Brewsterwells outside St Andrew’s. I’ll be glad when Dundee Crematorium reopens in November however it has allowed everyone to see alternatives for our families and having choices often makes a very difficult and emotional time a wee bit easier ❤️

21/09/2024

❤️ Huge congratulations to Lisamarie and Barry - the loveliest couple and a beautiful venue. Loved the signs - ‘only two things last forever …. love and tattoos’ The bride and groom were heading to get theirs done as I left …. Might be a few folk waking up tomorrow and wondering where their body art came from - Sambucca and tattoos on site - interesting combo!! 😂So honoured to conduct the service today ❤️

15/09/2024

❤️ How gorgeous is Rocco - his big brother Roman is equally gorgeous - the loveliest wee family, such an honour to conduct Rocco’s Baby Naming Ceremony today at The Quay ❤️

01/09/2024

❤️ A beautiful sunny day at Rottal Steading in Glen Clova for the Wedding of Kate and Darren yesterday. It was such an honour to conduct the ceremony for one of the nicest couples you could ever meet. Having seen the family in the saddest and hardest times it was lovely to see them all in the happiest of circumstances. Huge congratulations Mr and Mrs Wilson ❤️

09/06/2024

❤️☀️ Happy Sunday everyone, hope it’s a lovely one whatever you are doing - a bit of writing in the sunshine for me - my writing buddy this morning is Rosie Cat 🐾❤️