THE CELEBRANT BY YOUR SIDE
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Memorials & Anniversaries

Sue Anne O'Donnell

The Celebrant By Your Side

I miss you, 
My heart aches for your smile, for your laughter, for the sound of your voice

Here is my truth;

I love that you were in my life, 

I wouldn’t trade these memories to be free of this sadness,

For that would mean I never got to know you.

You see I understand my sadness is rooted in deep Love.

A love for which I am forever grateful.

Sue Anne, The Celebrant By Your Side

Is a Memorial Ceremony the same as an Anniversary Ceremony?

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Memorials ceremonies are held for few different reasons. One is where your loved one lived, died and is buried abroad yet you would like to hold a ceremony here at home for family and friends who could not attend the funeral abroad.  The next is where a person has asked to be cremated, and family and friends will choose to hold a Civil Memorial Ceremony at the time of burying their loved ones ashes as opposed to the time of their death.
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During 2020 and the early part of 2021  people could not attend a loved one’s funeral due to Covid-19 restrictions and would now like to hold a memorial ceremony where family and friends can gather to pay their respects, share memories, honour their grief and hold a space to remember with love. 

Typically anniversary ceremonies are held to remember our loved one on their birthday or anniversary, which in the Irish language is of Lá Cuimneacháin meaning ‘day of memory’. 

Whether you are planning a Civil Memorial or Anniversary Ceremony, or  'Lá Cuimneacháin', it can be difficult to plan how to remember and honour your loved one in a way that is fitting, respectful and meaningful. And if your loved one didn’t live a traditional or hold religious beliefs, knowing what type of ceremony to hold to mark their anniversary or memorial can be a challenge.

This is where I help, I am a Holistic Civil Funeral Celebrant based in Fethard Co. Tipperary. I travel the country offering an alternative to religious based funeral, memorial and anniversary ceremonies.  

Hi, I'm Sue Anne

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As The Celebrant By Your Side I am here to support you, share ideas and help write and deliver a civil ceremony that remembers the life and death of your loved one. 

​As your civil celebrant I ensure we pay homage to your loved one in a personally written ceremony that reflects the person they were, gives life to their character while holding a space for family and friends to gather and recall and share the many memories made together during their life time.

Why choose a Civil Celebrant led Memorial or Anniversary?

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Each Holistic Civil Ceremony is dedicated to your loved one in ways that are meaningful, respectful, and unique.  It’s a time and space to truly honour the life of your loved one, in a way that bring memories to life, telling their story as we pay homage to a life lived.

​Where can a civil ceremony take place?

Memorial and anniversary ceremonies can be held in a variety of places, your home, by the grave side, in a place of significance or some families have opted to hold the ceremony in a local hotel or restaurant where they can share a meal or snack following the ceremony. It is all about what works best for you and meets your needs.

How does a Memorial or Anniversary work and can we be involved?

I can deliver the entire ceremony including readings, poems, and memories of your loved one in their eulogy, or I can deliver sections of the ceremony along with family and friends who you would like to have involved in certain aspects. 

Just as Funerals; Memorial and Anniversaries can be highly emotional, with emotions catching us unaware. You are not alone, I am here to step in if someone finds themselves unable to continue, sometimes they simply need me to stand beside them, sometimes they need me to finish the poem or reading, whatever is needed, rest assured I am by your side every step of the way. 
 

Please know grief has no rules, I believe in being as you need. I understand the importance of holding a ceremony that’s most fitting for your Loved One, of telling the story of their life. 
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Each personally written ceremony can include stories of their quirky side, achievements, hobbies or even their habits that drove you crazy, we can include or exclude whatever. Your loved one's ceremony will be in the way that is fitting for you.  
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Anniversary/ Memorial Ceremony Preparation

We arrange to talk in person, by phone, or Zoom to gather a sense of your loved one, this will include sharing memories, photos and insights enabling me to have a sense of your loved one, their life, their highs and lows, the habits you loved or that drove you crazy.

I will outline the ceremony, taking into account your preferences select the most suitable ceremony style based on your requests.

I send you a draft of the ceremony, and together we make final adjustments.

I will speak with any family or friends who have a role in the ceremony, helping them prepare and become familiar with the ceremony structure.

Please feel free to contact me directly to discuss your ceremony and arrange dates.

The fee including travel within 100km is €140. There is a small additional fee for travel outside 100km. 

Get in touch with Sue Anne

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Please feel free to contact me directly to discuss your ceremony.

sueannecelebrant@gmail.com
Tel. +353868239431

Call SUE anNE

Location

Based in County Tipperary, Ireland, I offer my in-person services as a civil celebrant in Tipperary, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford, Cork and other parts of Munster and Leinster. 
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I’m also available to host online ceremonies.
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  • Welcome
  • Services
  • Funerals
  • Memorials & Anniversaries
  • Living Ceremonies
  • Naming Ceremony
  • Transgender Renaming
  • Adoption Ceremonies
  • Weddings
  • Vow Renewals
  • Contact
  • Testimonials and Qualifications
  • Blog