That's Life Ceremonies - Cheshire Celebrant

02/09/2024

September is World Alzheimer's Month, a time for everyone to raise awareness and to support those affected by this awful disease. A funeral can often be difficult for loved ones as they feel that saying goodbye happened months or even years before. At a recent celebration of life ceremony we used a poem written by Dick Underwood to express that feeling and we celebrated the person we once knew and shared their story.
Find more personal stories on www.alzheimers.org.uk and let's bring dementia out from behind closed doors.

03/02/2024

The first anniversary of a death of a loved one can be hard to face. It's often difficult to know how we should feel and what we should do, yet in our hearts and minds we are so aware of the memory that lives on in us and through us. I think this poem puts that feeling into perspective and reminds us that the hurt we feel never really leaves us, and yet our memories can strengthen us on days like these. For all who are struggling, I hope this brings you comfort.

09/09/2023

Two years ago today we lost a very special friend, and although the pain and sadness remains we do our best to honour his memory. This poem by one of my favourites is a useful reminder of how to live when we lose those that we love.

Donna Ashworth has a wonderful way with words and I have bought so many copies of her book “Loss” to give to those who have lost loved ones - I know it has helped.

So if you are struggling with grief today, let these words settle in your heart 💜

20/02/2023

I was really privileged to officiate at the funeral of a wonderful lady today who knew what is was to live a life of selfless love. The ceremony was a wonderful reminder of how we can use the love we receive to honour the memory of a loved one. So, I share a poem by a talented lady called Donna Ashworth author of Loss which is full of poetry to comfort when grief is overwhelming. I gifted a copy to the family today and I highly recommend it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Loss-Poems-better-weather-waves/dp/1785304429

When you have lost someone you love…

Do not make the mistake of living in sadness, or living small to honour their absence.

You owe it to them to live even more vividly than before.

If they could reach you, they would surely say..

“Take the love you had for me and turn it into gladness,
use the love you had for me to drive away the sadness.”

Love is an energy, so powerful, so all-consuming that when the person you felt all that love for is not here, you are a vessel filled with a boundless source of power that has nowhere to go.

Harness it.

Use it to burn even more brightly and live even more loudly than before.

Share the love you felt for that person with all the other special people in your life, for it is limitless. There is no end to it and there never, ever should be.

If they could reach you they would surely say…

“Make my time on earth count loudly, so I’ve not lived in vain.
Use the love we shared to make more love and not more pain.”

If you are struggling to move on, to find the way to carry on. Without them.

This is it.

Use the love.

Carry them with you in all that you do, using their love as the source.

It is what they would want.

Tell their stories, mention their name, feel their love – and share it.

Do not let the pain of their loss overshadow the love that they created whilst alive.

Make them count.

Remember, grief is the price you pay for a love divine. The stronger the love, the deeper the grief but love, love will always win in the end.



©LPIO 2017

Donna Ashworth

25/09/2022

A real joy to deliver a baby naming ceremony for little Erin this afternoon and to meet her family and friends. Thanks to mummy and daddy Anne-Marie & David for choosing That’s Life Ceremonies.

09/09/2022

Grieving is an important part of living. This morning we have woken up to a new era. A time when things won’t be the same again. Allow yourself some time and space to grieve today in respect of a monarch who has been a constant in all of our lives for so many years.

Queen Elizabeth II 1926 -2022

YOUR FOOTPRINTS

May you rest now, in peace
your toil has reached its end
and a life like yours deserves
a peaceful glory

May you sleep now, at last
the slumber of the loved
you have lived each chapter of
your wondrous story

May you pass now, it’s time
if permission speeds your way
we let go with love, for love
is what you gave

May you know now, in life
you were treasured every day
and we daily walk the paths
your footprints made.

Donna Ashworth
From ‘LOSS’

30/08/2022

Saying goodbye to a family member is never easy even when they are 94 years old. I was privileged to conduct a celebration of the life of a wonderful lady followed by interment today. This poem which was read beautifully by one of her granddaughters reminds us of the importance of the afterglow that we leave when life is done. A reminder to be a blessing to those we leave behind.

Beautiful and moving poems for memorial services. Find a touching reading here to honour your loved one or comfort you in your grief.

14/08/2022

I love spending an afternoon creating a brand-new ceremony, and today it's a naming ceremony for a very special little girl.

Each naming ceremony is unique because there is no pattern or script that must be followed. Together we can choose every aspect of the ceremony from poetry and words of promise through to music and involvement from family and friends. Some parents simply choose to hold a ceremony at home with close family and others hold the ceremony at a venue where they will enjoy a celebratory party afterwards.
The choice on where, when, and how is entirely up to you. I will guide you through the whole process and deliver the ceremony on the day.

If I can help you, or someone you know, with a naming ceremony, just for them, then email me at [email protected] or message me from this page. I'd love to help you.

07/08/2022

Are you living your Dash?
That's Life Ceremonies are not just here to support the funeral ceremony at the end of your dash, we can provide other services to make sure that you are in full control.
Often the hardest thing for a grieving family can be arranging a ceremony that reflects who we are. Although it may be a long time in the future, I can help by creating a bespoke document which sets out your wishes for an end-of-life ceremony including choices of music, songs, hymns, readings and literally anything you like to celebrate and remember your life when the time comes. All contained in a sealed envelope to share with your next of kin for when they need it. Contact me if you think I can help.

15/05/2022

Last week my post was all about what a celebrant can do. Let’s get into the nitty gritty of weddings.
Many couples think that the traditional church wedding is not for them. Clergy can do a great job of delivering a wedding ceremony but they do have to follow specific liturgy and the wedding will be in their church. Similarly, a registrar can conduct a ceremony. In short, they are both bound to the legal elements of a marriage in the UK.
It's true that to obtain a marriage licence the legal elements, all 50 or so words of what is legally required, have to be covered but that can be done before the ceremony. The actual wedding day can then be held whenever a couple choose and it can include any wording you like.
Think of the perfect location, indoors or outdoors, conjure up the vibe that best fits you as a couple, even if that is Star Wars, invite the people that you know and love and need around you and let’s put together a ceremony to remember. Every ceremony is as unique as you are and I guarantee that the experience will leave you and your guests with memories to last a life time.

07/05/2022

To put it very simply, a Celebrant is the person who writes, performs and officiates a formal ceremony. This can be a wedding, a marriage blessing, an elopement, a vow renewal, a baby naming, a funeral or a memorial service. The real value of using a Celebrant is that you have the ceremony wherever you like, with whomever you like, you can have the readings, vows and music of your choice.

I will work with you to create a ceremony that is as unique as you, whether that’s a religious service or a secular approach, or a nice blend of the two, I’m happy to take on almost any vibe that you can think of.

Over the next few weeks I’ll put up some posts to explain each type of ceremony and if you have any questions then please let me know.

01/05/2022

Yesterday was the best day for a wedding at Delamere Events

😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

01/05/2022

I received this card from a very special friend yesterday and I think it says it all. Finally, I’ve taken the plunge to take up something that I’m passionate about. As many if you know, I’m going to put my many years of experience of standing up in front of crowds of people to a new use as a Celebrant. Yesterday, I conducted the wedding of a wonderful couple J & K and realised, not for the first time, that putting together a ceremony of love and meaning is one of the things I was born to do (among many others). I’m so excited about this new venture and I know that all my friends will be cheering me on. Thank you to all those who have encouraged me to step out to do what I love. Like/Share my Page and put me in touch with those that you know and love…..whether it’s a wedding, funeral, naming, vow renewal, or anything else that you can think of, I would love to put a ceremony together that is as unique as you. If you send me a PM I will give you more details.

Come with me on the journey, it’s going to be a fun ride!!