Lately, I’ve been thinking about what makes something a ritual versus a habit or routine. Maybe each morning you drink a cup of coffee while reading the paper. Is that a ritual or a routine? …
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What Makes a Ritual?
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150 Decisions
Death, no matter how it comes, is unexpected. When my father died, after a year-long battle with ALS, his death surprised and overwhelmed us. Even though we knew it was coming, the reality of death …
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Choosing a Wedding Officiant
One of the most critical decisions for an engaged couple is who will officiate the wedding ceremony! These days, many are choosing a family member or friend to do the honors. (It’s pretty easy to …
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Holiday Ceremonies
The basic definition of ceremony is, “a formal event held on a special occasion.” The word ‘formal’ is a little misleading. A ceremony doesn’t have to be formal in the sense of it being a …
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Caring for Yourself as Caregiver
In my work, I’ve seen the challenges faced by caregivers. Caregiving, which is often a 24-hour job, can lead to burnout, fatigue, and mental and physical illnesses. Yet the job of caregiving does not usually …
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Why Bless Your House?
One of the services I offer through Rites of Passage is House Blessing. A house blessing (also called a house cleansing) can take place when you move into a new home or anytime you want …
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Rituals Build Community
Have you ever been part of a group that just didn’t seem to gel? People weren’t on the same wavelength, there were unnecessary misunderstandings and distrust? We often think of community as something that happens …
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In Lieu of Flowers
In my career, I’ve officiated close to 200 funerals, memorials, or graveside services. To the best of my recollection, there have been flowers at every single one. Some of the floral displays have been elaborate and …
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Officiating as Holding Space
“What exactly is officiating?” I’ve been asked. “Isn’t it just getting up in front of people and speaking?” Yes, it is that…. but also more. Officiating a ceremony to mark a life event does require …
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Unplugged Ceremonies
Recently a wedding photographer’s Facebook post went viral when she called out a wedding guest who blocked her shot by trying to take a photo with an iPhone. The post, which began “To the girl …
