Celebration of Life Ceremonies

Honoring the unmistakable essence

A fitting tribute, shaped through story, music, poetry, and shared memories, for the one you are remembering.

Seed to root to plant to flower to seed,

earth to bloom to earth, a soul returns.

And what it leaves behind,

an essence unmistakable,

like the scent of cinnamon or cloves.

Cinnamon bark, whole cloves and star anise arranged on a wooden board

Ceremonies of Remembrance

Essential Ceremonies looks forward to collaborating with you to identify the elements of remembrance, celebration, and ritual that are most authentic to your loved one and most nourishing for your family. We bring a sincere desire to make sacred each passing, each life, each celebration, and each remembrance.

The Scottish poet William Campbell reminds us that “To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” A fitting tribute, shaped through story, quotes, music, poetry, and shared memories, can help ensure continued life in the hearts of those who remain. These elements become sources of comfort and inspiration for the days and years ahead.

Whatever your venue and whether you are planning a celebration of life at home, a memorial service, a green burial, the scattering of ashes or a traditional funeral, it is our honor to craft a personalized ceremony that captures the unmistakable essence of the one you are remembering.

An open laptop on a wooden table beside a lit candle, its screen showing a candlelit memorial table

One of the ways we honor a life

Online Celebrations of Life

Covid-19 taught us that virtual ceremonies can deliver on sacred space, meaningful virtual rituals and cathartic memorials and celebrations of life, and Essential Ceremonies looks forward to creating and facilitating one for your family. If you have a need to include people from disparate areas and engage contributors from across the country, we look forward to helping you create and facilitate a meaningful virtual ceremony for you.

Teri Martin lighting incense beside candles and flowers

One of the ways we honor a life

Living Funerals

Essential Ceremonies is honored to offer living funerals: ceremonies that honor a person's journey while they are still here to share in the stories, blessings, and connection. They allow the honoree to hear the stories, feel the love, and participate in the ritual.

Inclusive of all beliefs, all identities

After serving more than 450 families through their most vulnerable moments, we know first-hand how vital and sustaining a personal tribute can be. We welcome the full spectrum of religious, spiritual, secular, inter-faith, and multi-cultural beliefs and honor all lives in their fullness, inclusive of sexual orientation and identity.

A cairn of stacked river stones with a pinecone resting beside it on a rocky ledgeA round altar of candles, pine boughs, shells, crystals and a brass singing bowlAn altar of pine cones, stones and shells ringed with birdseed around a clay circle of friends holding handsTwo people placing soil on a rock-ringed earthen mound while a cellist plays behind them

Kind words from families

“I have heard from so many friends and family how much they enjoyed his service. Thank you for getting his story down and really getting to the core of who he was. It was beautiful. With much thanks and admiration.”
Kristy
“You did a great job, I will forever be grateful. You have erased a lot of bad impressions of facilitators that I have experienced at other services. And I am sorry that I came to you with that prejudice. You erased it entirely! Most of the people there commented about how much they liked what you did! Again, many thanks! And best wishes in your continued "work."”
Jan
“I'm happy we chose the option to have an officiant for Carol's funeral and I'm glad we connected with you. You did a wonderful job of presenting and honoring Carol's life and we all loved how you were able to draw the little kids to come up and participate... Carol would have loved it too.”
Steven
“Thank you so much for being a part of this day with us. I couldn't have asked for it to go any better... Closing this chapter in my life is not easy but honoring my dad how we did with your help was amazing. Thank you.”
Alex

Connect with us

For questions, pricing, or additional information, please call (303) 819-3034 or send us an inquiry.

Let's Create Your Ceremony

Let's create your ceremony

Whether you choose to work with Benjamin, Teri, or both, it is our privilege to honor life's most meaningful moments with you.