Well it did try to snow didn't it - I love watching it, but glad it didn't settle as I have spent a lot of time in North Cornwall this week - and I wouldn't fancy driving there in the snow.

On Monday I had two funerals - unusual for me to do two in one day as I prefer not to, but I was personally asked for and so really wanted to be there for the families.  The services were chalk and cheese, first I helped a small but lovely family say goodbye to a wonderful lady in her 90's.  Wow did that lady have life sussed, she really understood what was important and what wasn't! We gave her a beautiful service. 

I then had the sad honour of officiating at a baby's funeral in the afternoon - always tough, they never get easier.  I helped a lovely young couple (no names as always) to say their goodbye to their stillborn son in the way that they wanted to.  Some people say to me 'how can you do that, I would be in bits', and my answer to them is, 'I am supporting and helping that couple through one of, if not the, worst types of goodbye you can say - to your child. It is outside of the normal order of life and there is no comfort I can give, but I can support them through it and make that final goodbye the best it can be. It is beyond sad and I have to look at the wall and swallow hard a great deal of the time, but the family need me to get them through it, and that keeps me going. '   

There was of course other funeral work in the week, all of which is as important to me, but on the Monday it was the two ends of the age range that struck me and that I wanted to share with you.

All of the funerals that I hold are an honour and privilege, to be put in that position of trust is humbling and every single one of the services, and the family's that I help mean a great deal to me.

I met with further families - all in the North Cornwall area this week to help prepare the services for their loved ones funerals in the upcoming weeks.

On a lighter note I had a wonderful and very exciting meeting closer to home near Barnstaple, with a lovely couple to plan their Wedding Ceremony with me for later in the year - I always get so excited, to bring a couple together in love and commitment is such a pleasure.  Every one of my Wedding Ceremony scripts is different, because every couple are different and what is important to the couple is different every time too - bringing those elements to life within a Ceremony and making it so unique and personalised is a joy. 

Finally, I also had a meeting with a family for a naming ceremony for two young sisters, this will be a beautiful event over in Torrington, where we formally introduce the girl's names, make wishes for their futures and make promises to them (some prefer the term 'intentions') surrounded by their family and friends. For those of you who aren't aware, a naming ceremony has different purposes. In the main people refer to them as 'Baby Naming' a non- religious or non-church based service that is tailored to the wishes and dynamics of the family. But naming services are for any age. If a person changes their name there can be the desire for some kind of ceremony to mark the importance of the new name. Adoption is another life event that can be marked with a naming ceremony.

So that was my week, and shows you some of the different elements that I support people with. I hope you found that interesting, yes the other website is still on its way, that is a site that gives information on funeral options as I have found most people do not know what they 'could' of done until after the funeral is over.
The site is designed to read when someone has passed away and gives you the options that you have so that you can make an informed decision before you start the Funeral process(es).   The site is almost there but my priority is always with the families that I work with, so the Website does keep getting pushed back - but it will be with you soon!

If you have any questions about my work, would like to chat something through or find out more about the role of a Celebrant then please do get in touch.  Please take a look at my Facbook page too: https://www.facebook.com/amandajaneceremonies/
With Love
Amanda Jane x