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Why have a funeral ceremony?
Ceremonies and celebrations provide opportunities to gather together, acknowledge and commemorate passages in life. After someone dies, a funeral brings together important people in the deceased person’s life so that they can remember, grieve, celebrate the unique life that has been lived and say final good-byes. Loved ones, friends, coworkers and neighbors have space to share stories together in a way that helps memories live on and comforts people who are grieving. In short, a service allows people to share stories, say goodbye, and support each other.
Ceremonies and celebrations provide opportunities to gather together, acknowledge and commemorate passages in life. After someone dies, a funeral brings together important people in the deceased person’s life so that they can remember, grieve, celebrate the unique life that has been lived and say final good-byes. Loved ones, friends, coworkers and neighbors have space to share stories together in a way that helps memories live on and comforts people who are grieving. In short, a service allows people to share stories, say goodbye, and support each other.
Who needs a Celebrant?
- Families who want a unique, personalized service
- Families who identify themselves as “spiritual but not religious”
- Families who are not affiliated with a faith community
- Families who want something but are not sure where to start
- Families who have been disappointed or frustrated with a previous burial/memorial service
What can Anne and Marilaurice as Certified Funeral Celebrants offer the family?
A Final Blessings celebrant has been specifically trained to design a service for your loved one that is completely personal, incorporating those unique stories, songs and experiences that defined the loved one. To be able to do that, we will schedule a special Family Time for your family (of origin and/or choice) to share memories, anecdotes and special moments in the loved one’s life. The essence of the service will be based upon the remembrances of this family sharing. Then Anne and Marilaurice will consult with you to help design a service that best reflects and memorializes the life of your loved one. The service can incorporate music, photos, personal mementos and unique ceremonies to celebrate the life lived. We will present a loving eulogy that represents your memories or support family members in sharing their memorable stories. If you are working with a funeral director, we will partner with him/her to see that video tributes and other materials honor the life of your loved one.
A Final Blessings celebrant has been specifically trained to design a service for your loved one that is completely personal, incorporating those unique stories, songs and experiences that defined the loved one. To be able to do that, we will schedule a special Family Time for your family (of origin and/or choice) to share memories, anecdotes and special moments in the loved one’s life. The essence of the service will be based upon the remembrances of this family sharing. Then Anne and Marilaurice will consult with you to help design a service that best reflects and memorializes the life of your loved one. The service can incorporate music, photos, personal mementos and unique ceremonies to celebrate the life lived. We will present a loving eulogy that represents your memories or support family members in sharing their memorable stories. If you are working with a funeral director, we will partner with him/her to see that video tributes and other materials honor the life of your loved one.
How can Final Blessings help?
Every life is worth remembering but many people opt not to have a funeral because they don’t want the impersonal, “cookie cutter” funeral they’ve so often seen. We will partner with you to develop a ceremony that is personalized and unique to your loved one. Final Blessings staff have many years of ritual planning experience and have been trained as Certified Celebrants by InSight Institute. More information in this 8/22/2017 article in the Star Tribune.
We understand the process you are going through and are prepared to offer the very best service possible. Please phone or email us to discuss your needs. We can be reached by phone at 612-888-0642. For an urgent need, please phone.
Every life is worth remembering but many people opt not to have a funeral because they don’t want the impersonal, “cookie cutter” funeral they’ve so often seen. We will partner with you to develop a ceremony that is personalized and unique to your loved one. Final Blessings staff have many years of ritual planning experience and have been trained as Certified Celebrants by InSight Institute. More information in this 8/22/2017 article in the Star Tribune.
We understand the process you are going through and are prepared to offer the very best service possible. Please phone or email us to discuss your needs. We can be reached by phone at 612-888-0642. For an urgent need, please phone.
Why should we choose Final Blessings in this time of need?
Good question! The death of a loved one can be very stressful time. We are grounded, calm, resourceful and attentive to detail. Like other professionals who specialize in a particular area, we are very good at what we do. We have had lots of experience and invite you to read some of the testimonials from families we have served. Not only are we good at what we do, we love what we do. We have each had other professions and careers but have intentionally chosen this work at this time in our lives. We will be capable partners in creating and delivering your unique ceremony.
Good question! The death of a loved one can be very stressful time. We are grounded, calm, resourceful and attentive to detail. Like other professionals who specialize in a particular area, we are very good at what we do. We have had lots of experience and invite you to read some of the testimonials from families we have served. Not only are we good at what we do, we love what we do. We have each had other professions and careers but have intentionally chosen this work at this time in our lives. We will be capable partners in creating and delivering your unique ceremony.
What is the cost?
Each family is very different, so our fees will vary but generally speaking for families planning a funeral, memorial service or celebration of life the charge is $400. For this fee you will receive @8 hours of a celebrant’s time. This will include all aspects of preparation for your service--family meeting, unlimited emails, texts or phone calls to stay in clear communication, prompt responses to your inquires, availability to fit your time-frame and schedule, creating, writing, and leading the service based on the information you have shared, travel time (up to 20 miles from the metro area), any rehearsal time needed for readers or other participants, and an early arrival for final preparations on the day of the ritual itself. We will work with a funeral director or members of the clergy, if you wish, to ensure a graceful tribute to your loved one. Following the remembrance service, you will receive a copy of the eulogy, readings and blessings as you desire. Less tangibly you will receive the benefit of our many and varied experiences, our ongoing training and the resource library of materials and connections we maintain. This fee does not include space rental, design or printing costs for a program, mileage outside of 20 mile radius, etc.
We have an hourly rate of $60 for a short service at the cemetery, a small gathering to plan your memorial in advance, or a community education event in your home or other community. After we’ve spoken and had the chance to hear about your specific needs, we will better be able to estimate the time necessary and the cost. We are open to a conversation if these fees are beyond your budget.
We want to be fair and transparent about our fees. These charges are comparable to other professionals offering similar services in our area. What we most wish for is the opportunity to be of service to families in need, to use our talents and passion in a creative and satisfying way, and to live with modest financial security.
Each family is very different, so our fees will vary but generally speaking for families planning a funeral, memorial service or celebration of life the charge is $400. For this fee you will receive @8 hours of a celebrant’s time. This will include all aspects of preparation for your service--family meeting, unlimited emails, texts or phone calls to stay in clear communication, prompt responses to your inquires, availability to fit your time-frame and schedule, creating, writing, and leading the service based on the information you have shared, travel time (up to 20 miles from the metro area), any rehearsal time needed for readers or other participants, and an early arrival for final preparations on the day of the ritual itself. We will work with a funeral director or members of the clergy, if you wish, to ensure a graceful tribute to your loved one. Following the remembrance service, you will receive a copy of the eulogy, readings and blessings as you desire. Less tangibly you will receive the benefit of our many and varied experiences, our ongoing training and the resource library of materials and connections we maintain. This fee does not include space rental, design or printing costs for a program, mileage outside of 20 mile radius, etc.
We have an hourly rate of $60 for a short service at the cemetery, a small gathering to plan your memorial in advance, or a community education event in your home or other community. After we’ve spoken and had the chance to hear about your specific needs, we will better be able to estimate the time necessary and the cost. We are open to a conversation if these fees are beyond your budget.
We want to be fair and transparent about our fees. These charges are comparable to other professionals offering similar services in our area. What we most wish for is the opportunity to be of service to families in need, to use our talents and passion in a creative and satisfying way, and to live with modest financial security.
Once we decide to work with Final Blessings, what happens next?
At the time of our agreement to work together or at our first meeting, we will have a contract agreement available which makes clear the terms of our relationship and that all parties will sign. At that time, we ask you to pay 50% of agreed upon fees with the balance due on the day of the ritual. Our process of working together continues from there with a family meeting and further conversation.
At the time of our agreement to work together or at our first meeting, we will have a contract agreement available which makes clear the terms of our relationship and that all parties will sign. At that time, we ask you to pay 50% of agreed upon fees with the balance due on the day of the ritual. Our process of working together continues from there with a family meeting and further conversation.
How are payments made?
Fees are payable by check, Venmo, cash, or money order. We will consider a credit card option in the future if there is sufficient need.
Fees are payable by check, Venmo, cash, or money order. We will consider a credit card option in the future if there is sufficient need.
How do you write a ceremony if you don’t know me or my loved one?
Final Blessings staff will gather stories from you through an in-person Family Time sharing, phone interview, email questionnaire, and other writings you might choose to share with us. We will ask questions that bring out your loved one’s story, and weave a story of remembrance based on your sharing.
Final Blessings staff will gather stories from you through an in-person Family Time sharing, phone interview, email questionnaire, and other writings you might choose to share with us. We will ask questions that bring out your loved one’s story, and weave a story of remembrance based on your sharing.
We don’t want a large event, how can a celebrant help?
Ritual and ceremony are about creating space to name important moments in our lives. Final Blessings staff are able to help you develop a ceremony for any size group - large or small. We have experience supporting families with graveside ceremonies, intimate bedside blessings, and other smaller gatherings. These are important times and deserve attention.
Ritual and ceremony are about creating space to name important moments in our lives. Final Blessings staff are able to help you develop a ceremony for any size group - large or small. We have experience supporting families with graveside ceremonies, intimate bedside blessings, and other smaller gatherings. These are important times and deserve attention.
We are working with a funeral home, can we still work with a Final Blessings celebrant?
Yes. You may have the funeral director contact us with your number or please feel free to contact us directly via phone (usually this is quickest when dealing with short time frames) at 612-888-0462.
If, after our initial discussion you decide to work with us in creating the ritual, either one of us can contact the funeral director you are working with.
Yes. You may have the funeral director contact us with your number or please feel free to contact us directly via phone (usually this is quickest when dealing with short time frames) at 612-888-0462.
If, after our initial discussion you decide to work with us in creating the ritual, either one of us can contact the funeral director you are working with.
We are not working with a funeral home; can Final Blessings "do it all"?
We can do many things and "all" covers a large territory. As we talk together about your needs and wishes, we will certainly be realistic about what we can and cannot do. We will try to provide you with the resources you need to celebrate the transition of your loved one by referring you to reliable people for tasks outside our abilities.
We want to have a home vigil. Can you help us with that?
Yes, we are supportive and able to honor your loved one in almost any location including a home setting, in-hospital hospice setting, care facility, and the like. As with all our services, we partner with you and your family to plan the ritual you envision.
We can do many things and "all" covers a large territory. As we talk together about your needs and wishes, we will certainly be realistic about what we can and cannot do. We will try to provide you with the resources you need to celebrate the transition of your loved one by referring you to reliable people for tasks outside our abilities.
We want to have a home vigil. Can you help us with that?
Yes, we are supportive and able to honor your loved one in almost any location including a home setting, in-hospital hospice setting, care facility, and the like. As with all our services, we partner with you and your family to plan the ritual you envision.
Can you create rituals for a home vigil, visitation, or graveside service?
Yes. We can provide appropriate remembrances for any and all aspects of funeral services. We are experienced with the details and procedures (military honors, allotted time) at Fort Snelling National Cemetery should you wish a ritual there.
We will listen to your wishes and plans, and together we will formulate a plan to meet your needs.
Yes. We can provide appropriate remembrances for any and all aspects of funeral services. We are experienced with the details and procedures (military honors, allotted time) at Fort Snelling National Cemetery should you wish a ritual there.
We will listen to your wishes and plans, and together we will formulate a plan to meet your needs.
Is it possible to include family members who are out of town in planning conversations?
The reality is that our families are often spread out in many locations and may be traveling to attend a funeral. We would be happy to arrange conference calls, Skype or find other ways to include people at a distance in the planning as best we can.
The reality is that our families are often spread out in many locations and may be traveling to attend a funeral. We would be happy to arrange conference calls, Skype or find other ways to include people at a distance in the planning as best we can.
My family holds a wide variety of beliefs and opinions in diverse situations. Can you be inclusive and respectful?
Your family is part of the human family and we are well aware of the diversity of need in every family. Thus far, through the tool of a Family Meeting, phone calls and texts, and the wonder of shared documents through Google, etc, we have been successful in hearing the many needs and desires of a family. We have been able to negotiate individual items in a service to a point where everyone is pleased with the service as a whole. We are glad to bring the wisdom of many experiences to our families and eager to learn more of family, cultural, national, religious, or gender-inclusive, etc. values as we create a unique service for your family. Inclusion and respect are the foundation upon which we build each relationship.
Yes, we pledge to be inclusive and respectful to you, your deceased loved one, and your family.
What about traveling outside of the Twin Cities metro area?
We will support you in creating and facilitating the ritual you would like and are open to discussing options. An additional time/travel fee of 53.5 cents per mile (or current IRS rate) applies for ceremonies when outside a 20 mile range.
Your family is part of the human family and we are well aware of the diversity of need in every family. Thus far, through the tool of a Family Meeting, phone calls and texts, and the wonder of shared documents through Google, etc, we have been successful in hearing the many needs and desires of a family. We have been able to negotiate individual items in a service to a point where everyone is pleased with the service as a whole. We are glad to bring the wisdom of many experiences to our families and eager to learn more of family, cultural, national, religious, or gender-inclusive, etc. values as we create a unique service for your family. Inclusion and respect are the foundation upon which we build each relationship.
Yes, we pledge to be inclusive and respectful to you, your deceased loved one, and your family.
What about traveling outside of the Twin Cities metro area?
We will support you in creating and facilitating the ritual you would like and are open to discussing options. An additional time/travel fee of 53.5 cents per mile (or current IRS rate) applies for ceremonies when outside a 20 mile range.
My loved one is dying and we’d like to discuss funeral/memorial plans, can you help?
When you are ready, we are here. Please contact us. Planning ahead often provides a sense of peace to both the person who is dying as well as family members. Her/his wishes can be made known and incorporated into planning the memorial services.
If your need is urgent, please contact either Anne or Marilaurice via phone rather than email.
I would like to have you share information and conversation with a group I belong to; how do I contact you?
You are welcome to contact us by any means listed on this site. For a non-urgent request, email is fine: [email protected]. Or you may call/text: 612-888-0462. We look forward to working with you to serve your group in a meaningful way.
Who made your splendid website?
We are deeply indebted to Grace Sommers and Paul Sommers for their design skills, Zac Willette and Peter Molenda for our portrait shots, Creative Commons for some photos on Home, Rituals, Plan Ahead and Testimonials pages, and Marilaurice for shots of flowers, trees and rocks. We also thank the many eyes who helped us look at these pages in various stages and their suggestions. It remains a work in progress and an imperfect tool for our message.
To you who have read to the bottom of this next-to-last page, WOW! Thank you.
When you are ready, we are here. Please contact us. Planning ahead often provides a sense of peace to both the person who is dying as well as family members. Her/his wishes can be made known and incorporated into planning the memorial services.
If your need is urgent, please contact either Anne or Marilaurice via phone rather than email.
I would like to have you share information and conversation with a group I belong to; how do I contact you?
You are welcome to contact us by any means listed on this site. For a non-urgent request, email is fine: [email protected]. Or you may call/text: 612-888-0462. We look forward to working with you to serve your group in a meaningful way.
Who made your splendid website?
We are deeply indebted to Grace Sommers and Paul Sommers for their design skills, Zac Willette and Peter Molenda for our portrait shots, Creative Commons for some photos on Home, Rituals, Plan Ahead and Testimonials pages, and Marilaurice for shots of flowers, trees and rocks. We also thank the many eyes who helped us look at these pages in various stages and their suggestions. It remains a work in progress and an imperfect tool for our message.
To you who have read to the bottom of this next-to-last page, WOW! Thank you.
If you have additional questions or wonderings, please feel free to contact us
with no further obligation at: 612-888-0462.
with no further obligation at: 612-888-0462.