Questions about ceremonies?

What is a Celebration of Life?

Celebrations of life, in their simplest form, are memorial events. Memorial events should be crafted in a way that celebrates the life of a loved one in a way which best represents who they were and their connection with their nearest and dearest. Celebrations of Life can be formal, casual or a mix somewhere in-between; it is completely up to those who are planning the celebration. Celebrations of life are one of our most important milestones, right up there with weddings, and as such, families should feel that they have complete creative freedom as to how they choose to conduct a Celebration of Life.

What is a Life Celebrant?

Life Celebrants are trained professionals that assist in the creation of an event and the performance of a ceremony. Life Celebrants often are invited to sit with families to learn as much as they can about their departed loved ones to help them craft a memorial service that best reflects who that person was and to help those left behind celebrate them.

How are AWAKE Celebrants different from other Life Celebrants?

AWAKE’s Life Celebrants believe in the power and spiritual effectiveness of ceremony and ritual to best serve those left behind by using ceremony to help move them through the grieving process while also truly creating an experience that celebrates a loved ones life; by focusing on feasting all of the senses, AWAKE’s Life Celebrants look to engage all aspects of smell, touch, sight, sound and taste in a creative way to pay tribute to your loved one while connecting with others that were touched by their time here on earth. AWAKE ceremonies also always connect your loved one back to nature; by choosing an element that your loved one was most connected to, we find a way to connect the cycle and bring life back from loss.

What are common attributes of an AWAKE Celebration of Life?

All AWAKE celebrations bring guests through a cyclical ceremony that starts with a service and ends with a celebration - AWAKE experiences begin with recollection + remembrance, the formal scripted service, followed by a curated farewell + revival. The farewell + revival is the process of saying goodbye through a scattering or burial using AWAKE celebration kits that are sustainable and eco-friendly, which brings your loved one back to the earth while leaving a net-neutral or positive impact on the environment. The AWAKE experience then ends with celebration + commitment to life. Through merrymaking, feasting, storytelling and connection, participants in the Celebration of Life are able to celebrate their loved ones life by pledging to intentionally living their own life to the fullest; surrounded by your closest friends and family, you are in a healing and safe space to grieve while also simultaneously committing to turning your sights to a new beginning.