For absolutely fabulous Other Ceremonies conducted by Lynne Stapleton in Toowoomba, Brisbane, surrounding cities, in the country or on the coast of South-East Queensland …

The more rituals a society celebrates, the more civilized and harmonious its citizens will be. The same applies to business organisations and the micro-cosm of families. A happy family, business or society celebrates its members’ milestones and achievements as often as possible.

It is important to honour the lives of our deceased loved ones too.  Let me help you celebrate and recognise your loved one's achievements and qualities with a well-researched, beautifully written and sensitively presented Funeral Ceremony or Memorial Service.  Let me help you through the difficult times, as well as helping you celebrate the wonderful occasions too.  It will be my privilege to assist and share in your family's memorable moments. 

Renewal of Vows

Many couples renew their vows on a special wedding anniversary, but the Ceremony is just as appropriate at any time. Couples may have experienced a difficult stage in their relationship and wish to celebrate a renewed commitment to each other. The original wedding Ceremony may be repeated, or I can help you design new vows that are more appropriate for your life now. The Ceremony follows the same format as a full wedding Ceremony, excluding only the legal side. You will receive a Certificate of Re-Affirmation as a memento of the occasion, together with a copy of the Renewal Ceremony.

Commitment

This Ceremony is conducted with the same care and attention to detail as any wedding. Even though a same-sex Ceremony is not legalised at present, such an occasion is meaningful and memorable for the couple and their family and friends. A Commitment Certificate together with a copy of the Ceremony will be cherished by the couple.

Coming of Age – 13 or 14

The older generation has ensured that its young people have inherited a tumultuous world. Environmental woes, the nuclear age and terrorism present our young people with worries they should not have to face. Becoming a teenager is a time of insecurity and doubts about self esteem and finding a safe place to fall into loved ones’ arms.

The thirteenth or fourteenth birthday is a wonderful opportunity to affirm the special place in our hearts of our youngsters.

A ‘secular bar mitzvah’ is another way of describing an absolutely fabulous birthday party for such a teenager. Surround them with loving family and friends, give them great presents and cook tasty treats to enjoy. Tell them they are very much loved. Cherished, in fact. 

Ask the teenager to gather together special objects representative of childhood and place them in a box at one end of the room. The youngster then walks ceremoniously to the other side of the room as a Celebrant recites the personalised words that have been collaboratively prepared with the family before opening a box containing symbols of adulthood. Joyous clapping, cheering, singing and dancing follow.

At no other time in history has such a celebration been more necessary for our young people.

What teenager wouldn’t feel loved, needed and confident about their place in the world after such a Ceremony?

Coming of Age – 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or any other number!

I would consider it an honour to help your family celebrate its special milestones. I will spend time with you researching the person’s history and collaboratively design a unique and memorable Ceremony. Life is short. Party hard!

Funerals

Those Celebrants who approach their vocation professionally acknowledge that there will come a time when they are the very best person to conduct a particular funeral service.

Professional Celebrants will step up and do what is necessary – not just for the sake of the living and to assist in easing their pain, but most importantly to appropriately honour the life of the person who has passed away. In some cases, there is simply no-one else who can do justice to the deceased’s journey on earth.
 

A professional Celebrant will spend time with the family, researching the various insights, memories, opinions and biographical details. The Celebrant will assist as required in writing the Eulogy and designing a beautiful and memorable Ceremony. As with a wedding, suggestions will be made about appropriate readings, poems and music.

The Celebrant will conduct the Ceremony with dignity, including any religious emphasis required by the family, but also with joy in honouring and celebrating the life that has been lived.

It is not easy for anyone to attend or conduct a funeral and the choice of a Celebrant is as crucial on this day as it is on a wedding day.

Divorces

Acknowledging that a marriage has ended, that children are affirmed as being loved just as much as before the split, and building a new relationship with the former spouse based on friendship and respect are important outcomes for Divorce Ceremonies. Healing the wounds and moving on in a public, yet dignified way creates the opportunity for future growth and happiness. Divorce Ceremonies can be a beautiful, harmonious occasion filled with promise of a happy and rewarding future for all concerned. With a professional Celebrant researching, designing and conducting the Ceremony, closure is achieved publicly and emotionally.

Other Absolutely Fabulous additional Ceremonies that I would love to design and conduct for you include:

• Completing High School – Celebrate alternative rites of passage to ‘Schoolies’
• Special Birthdays
• Launching a Boat
• Launching a Business
• Graduation (University, TAFE, Trade)
• Housewarming and Blessing
• Career Transitions
• Retirement
• Blessing of a Pool or Spa

Please feel free to contact me with any enquiries.  Remember, our first meeting is totally free of charge. 

I am happy to help you with as much information as possible. 

Call 0439 714 485 or
Email:  abfabweddings@bigpond.com