What’s In A Name
Janine Harkness Janine Harkness

What’s In A Name

One of the biggest decisions as a parent to a newborn child is what name to give them. The parental choice of name has both conscious and subconscious influences, and the chosen name often unintentionally provides a wealth of information.

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7 Tips for Reading at a Funeral
Janine Harkness Janine Harkness

7 Tips for Reading at a Funeral

As a Celebrant, I am here to help compose and structure the Ceremony, but the words of a family member or a close friend who knew them are always the most important.

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What makes a Good Celebrant?
Janine Harkness Janine Harkness

What makes a Good Celebrant?

I use the term profession, although Celebrancy has not yet made it onto the government's recognised profession list. And although it is advisable to undertake proper training from a reputable company, it is not compulsory. Nevertheless, I would have to admire someone's gumption to stand in front of a crowd at a highly emotional charged ceremony without the reassurance of proper training.

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What to Wear to a Funeral
Janine Harkness Janine Harkness

What to Wear to a Funeral

As we move away from the conventional approach to funerals and towards a ceremony that is a celebration of life, is wearing black still appropriate? Should it be considered disrespectful if you wear colourful clothing?

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7 Reasons Not to have a Direct Funeral
Janine Harkness Janine Harkness

7 Reasons Not to have a Direct Funeral

An End of Life Ceremony engages both the head and the heart and helps with moving toward the pain of loss which is an essential step in the healing process.

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Emotional Truth at an End of Life Ceremony
Janine Harkness Janine Harkness

Emotional Truth at an End of Life Ceremony

Like a “book blurb”, a Ceremony is a synopsis of the content of your life, and as we are all multidimensional an End of Life Ceremony at its best, should reflect that.

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