Funerals and Ceremonies

When it comes to funerals and ceremonies, you may be thinking “How do I commemorate life with ceremony? Do I have to be religious or spiritual to do so?” There’s a lot to take care of right after a death and you may be looking for guidance on a fitting tribute.

Life and Soul offers personalized funeral and commemoration services. We are not religiously or spiritually affiliated; we do believe that ceremony is a key part of mourning and grief.

Melanie Wilson is a certified Life Cycle® Funeral & Memorial Celebrant (think: “officiant”), creating ceremonies to honor life and legacy. From memorials and vigils to body disposition and celebrations of life, Life and Soul can help you create a unique and comforting event that embodies your wishes along with the wishes of the deceased.

Whether you want an elaborate celebration of life or an intimate funeral, we will walk you through the planning and emotional considerations to create a personal commemoration. No venue or idea is too big or too small when it comes to creating the perfect memorial for your loved one. We will work with you to make your ideas a reality through creative venues, tailored rituals, and expanding on traditions.

The process will consist of us getting to know the person you are memorializing, or yourself if you are hoping to host a living funeral/plan your own funeral. Based on this meeting and with sensitive consideration of the life story shared, Life and Soul will create, coordinate, and facilitate a unique ceremony, complete with music, readings, and personalized “rituals.”

When planning together, we will consider:

  • The entire life of your person, their unique traits, and their relationships

  • Venue (examples include park, funeral home, house of worship, home, beloved bar, etc.)

  • Type of ceremony desired (examples include laying out of remains/ashes, holding vigil, anniversary of a death/life)

  • Music

  • Poetry and readings

  • Opportunities for loved ones to be integrated

  • Traditions and personalizing new “rituals”  (examples might include lighting a colorful candelabra, toasting to life with a favorite soda, or writing memories to capture inside an urn)

  • Incorporation of spiritual and religious leaders as requested