“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”
I received sage advice from a wise woman who told me,
“In youth, you have a job. Upon completing your education, you embark on a career. And when your career concludes, you discover purpose in serving others.”
Today, I stand at that very juncture, ready to fulfill this meaningful calling.
Hello, I am Lori!
It is with humble reverence and respect that I have chosen my journey to walk beside the broken-hearted. Loss is an inevitable part of the human experience that touches each of us at some point in our lives. It manifests in myriad forms, with death being the most conspicuous among them. Numerous members of my family and friends have departed from this world in ways that have left me deeply moved – whether it be through sudden loss, tragic circumstances, or the harrowing journey of a terminal illness. It is with profound humility and a sincere sense of reverence that I have embarked on a path to accompany those who are fraught with a broken heart. The departure of a cherished one is a profoundly challenging experience, and navigating this journey can often feel like an overwhelming endeavor.
I hold a Certification from the BEyond Yonder Virtual School for Deathcaring, have undergone comprehensive training and earned certification as a Funeral Celebrant through the Insight Institution, and have undertaken certification courses focused on grief companioning offered by Health Mourning Revolution.
My unwavering dedication and commitment to you whether in the role of End-of-Life Doula, Funeral Celebrant or Grief Companion is to provide unwavering support by validating, bearing witness, lending a non-judgmental ear all the while holding sacred space for both you and your cherished ones.
Services
End-of-Life Doula
In my role as an End-of-Life Doula, I provide compassionate assistance, guidance, and education, offering comprehensive support encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions to individuals nearing the end of their lives. Trained to empower and inform both individuals and their families, I actively encourage their involvement in the decision-making process throughout this profound journey. The term “doula” originates from the Greek word “doulē,” signifying a helper or servant. While many associate the term “doula” with childbirth coaching, our support extends beyond life’s beginning, as we are dedicated to facilitating a peaceful and graceful transition during life’s final chapters. Please get in touch!
Funeral Celebrant
In my role as a Funeral Celebrant, I deeply understand that every individual’s life is a unique and meaningful story that deserves to be honoured. It is my sincere privilege to join you and your family on this profound journey, where together, we will craft a ceremony that authentically captures the essence of your beloved, ensuring that your family’s beliefs and values are exemplified. If working with a Funeral Director, I am readily available to collaborate with them, ensuring a seamless integration of our services bridge together. Please get in touch!
Grief Companion
In my role as a Grief Companion, I am here to stand alongside, bear witness to, and validate the grieving process. I am here to continue to show up long after the Celebration of Life or Funeral is over and to continue offering support thereafter. My purpose is not to eliminate the pain but to provide unwavering support and a non-judgmental ear to those facing their struggles. My approach is characterized by an open heart filled with compassion and curiosity. Grief, while often associated with the loss of a loved one, is a natural response to any form of loss. It emerges when there is a shift in familiar routines or behaviors, not just with the passing of a loved one. Throughout a lifetime, there are numerous losses that we encounter, and I would be honoured to accompany you on that journey. Please get in touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes a village. We come together to acknowledge and support one another in our grief and to mourn as a community. It helps us to acknowledge that death has occurred and is real. It provides structure and ritual and a safe place which we can process our thoughts and feelings. Being with community makes a significant difference in helping us channel our grief and starts the journey of bringing us back to wholeness.
A Celebrant can bring the ceremony together with the support of the Funeral Director. It gives the family peace of mind knowing that you have the freedom to plan a funeral that will meet the unique needs of your family. You have the freedom to invite family members and friends of the deceased to be involved in the celebration. Each ceremony is personal, reflecting the personality and lifestyle of the life lived. A Celebrant certified by the Insight Institute will take the time to understand the family’s beliefs and values and what makes their ceremony unique.
In a Celebrant ceremony, the family is empowered. Nothing is imposed on them. Instead, in a collaborative process, the Celebrant will guide them in choosing the components (readings, music, etc.) to fulfill their vision for the ceremony. No two Celebrant ceremonies are the same.
Celebrants are also experienced in the art of public speaking.
Families who choose a celebrant for their loved one’s funeral include those who are secular, religious, spiritual, non-denominational, part of an interfaith couple, or those who simply wish to create a service that is tailor-made to suit the personality and lifestyle of their family member.
There is a deep human need to find some sort of stability in the ever-changing state of life. Since the beginning of time, humans have used ceremony to mark the end of a life that was lived and to create a space to express their thoughts and feelings safely. Depending on the time and place, there are a variety of different ways to create such places, but almost all will have one thing in common: people coming together to say goodbye and remember a life no longer with us and to begin the process of grieving together.
Ceremony provides the occasion for family, friends, colleagues and neighbours to come together. It can begin the healing that needs to occur.
“We need rituals at many times, whether for healing or transformation, celebration or mourning. To learn to create our own is to empower ourselves, and this can enrich our lives immeasurably.” (Juliet Batten, Author)
- A 1 – 2 hour meeting to discuss the family’s vision for the ceremony.
- Listening and taking notes of the family’s memories and stories of the loved one.
- Consulting with the family until the ceremony suits their wishes.
- Research for specific readings, music and fitting rituals.
- Design, plan and write the ceremony.
- Compose a personal and inspirational eulogy/closing reflections if desired.
- Coordinate and support the efforts of family members and friends who wish to deliver tributes.
- Liaise with Funeral Directors or facility planners regarding ceremony details, as required.
- Conducting the service according to the family’s wishes.
- Provide the family a copy of the ceremony.
I am located in Sherwood Park, Alberta and am available to work with families in the Greater Edmonton Area, including Strathcona and Sturgeon Counties. Please contact me to discuss your location requirements. (Additional travel fees may apply.)
Every family I work with has different needs and requests. I am happy to discuss my fees with you during our initial consultation. Most funeral homes have an established fee guideline for the services of a funeral officiant within which I am happy to work.
Being a Home Funeral Guide as well, I advise the family that they have the right and freedom to have a home funeral or vigil prior to having a community ceremony or memorial, if possible. By encouraging the family to do so, it gives them time to honour their loved one. As loved ones of the deceased, you can take care of bathing, dressing, and tending to the body. It is a time of gathering, a time to honour and connect, to reflect and tell stories – a time of close bonding prior to a communal celebration or memorial.
As much as we might not see it as a gift to wash and prepare the body, it is one of the most powerful and engaging exercises that we may ever do for our loved one! And what a gift to yourself and the deceased.
Words of Kindness
Contact
If you would like more information or would simply like to chat with me about any of my services, I would love to hear from you!
Lori Lucki
Call 780.951.2730 | Email lori@loriluckicelebrant.com