Saying goodbye to a pet can be a complicated and traumatic experience. Your grief may be complicated by the fact that those you come in contact with do not understand the intensity of the pain you are feeling. You should never feel bad because you miss your pet! Our ‘Coping with the Loss of a […]
Search Results for: Funeral Readings (66 Found)
Prayers, Poems, and Quotes to Celebrate a Pet’s Life
When you experience the loss of a pet, spiritual writings can be helpful in offering comfort. Writing can offer comfort, whether it is a reference from a revered holy book such as the bible or an original prayer. They put what we are feeling into words and remind us that our faith is there when […]
How to Plan a Celebration of Life
When someone dies, we want the chance to say goodbye, honor their memory, and find meaning in the loss. Throughout history, ceremony has served these purposes. Holding a meaningful service for someone we love remains one of the most important things we can do as we begin to grieve. What has changed is the form […]
I wish my mom had planned
When my mom passed recently she left behind no instructions on how she wanted to be buried, what she wanted the memorial to be like, or how she wanted to be remembered. That left it to us, the siblings to decide. That would have been fine if we had agreed on everything. We didn’t. We […]
Father Mychal Judge’s Eulogy
On 9/11, the beloved New York priest was one of the first to die. After all that has been written about Father Mychal Judge in the newspapers, after all that has been spoken about him on television, the compliments, the accolades, the great tribute that was given to him last night at the Wake Service, I stand in front of you and honestly feel that the homilist at Mother Teresa’s funeral had it easier than I do. We Franciscans have very many traditions. You, who know us, know that some are odd, some are good. I don't know what category this one fills.
Celebration of Life: Planning Guide & Ideas
When someone dies, we want the chance to say goodbye, honor their memory, and find meaning in the loss. A celebration of life ceremony helps with all of this — but instead of following a traditional, somber format, it focuses on the joy and personality of the person being remembered. Here you'll find resources for planning every part of a celebration of life, from the ceremony itself to the personal touches — music, readings, food, and stories — that make it feel true to the person you're honoring. Whether you're picturing a traditional service, a lively gathering, or something in between, these guides will help you plan with both compassion and creativity.
