by Linda Stuart | Sep 2, 2019 | Funerals, Death, and Dying
“He wasn’t religious, so we didn’t have a funeral,” she told me. I was saddened to learn that my new friend had missed the opportunity to honour her wonderful husband’s life with a relevant and healing ceremony. She’d attended too many convenient, ready-made funerals...
by Linda Stuart | Jan 16, 2019 | Funerals, Death, and Dying, Life's Journey
You’ve been asked to give a eulogy. It’s an honour, it’s a privilege and, yes, it’s really hard. But few things in life that are worthwhile come easy, so grab a box of tissues, pour yourself a glass of something (no judgment) and carve out a few hours—because time is...
by Linda Stuart | Apr 3, 2018 | Funerals, Death, and Dying
Funerals may not be part of your Sunday family dinner conversation, but—having grown up with funerals in our family business—they have been part of mine for virtually my whole life. Couple that with my vocation as a Life-Cycle Celebrant, and I’ve learned a few things...
by Linda Stuart | Oct 11, 2017 | Funerals, Death, and Dying, Life's Journey, Marking Milestones
People are often surprised when they learn of my love-hate relationship with the term “Celebration of Life.” “But you’re a Celebrant!” they say. “Doesn’t that mean you like to celebrate?” Well, yes…and no. It depends....
by Linda Stuart | Jun 17, 2017 | Funerals, Death, and Dying
As fewer and fewer North Americans seek what was once considered the norm, the ordinary funeral (often on the more “traditional” side) appears to be nearing the end of life. And there are many reasons and theories as to why this is occurring. We live in a...
by Linda Stuart | Feb 1, 2017 | Funerals, Death, and Dying, Life's Journey
I have heard that writing a letter to someone who has died is helpful to the grief process and, while my mother is still very much alive, with every passing day, I mourn her loss. Over and over again, I am reminded, “It’s not her, it’s the disease.” And so, Dementia,...
