Introduction The holiday season is usually portrayed as a time of joy, celebration and togetherness — but for some people holiday grief is real. When […]
Category: RECENT POSTS
Pre-marital Discussions: Have these Conversations Before You Get Married
Introduction to pre-marital discussions Pre-marital discussions are far more than a formality; they are an essential part of building a thoughtful, intentional life together. Before […]
Celebration of Life Ceremony or the Traditional Funeral: What’s the Difference?
In recent years, more families have begun choosing a Celebration of Life ceremony in place of, or in addition to, a traditional funeral. While both […]
Your Marriage Certificate In South Africa
A marriage certificate can take three different forms in South Africa. Marriage Certificate No 1 – handwritten On the day that the legal part of […]
Navigating Grief: How a Funeral Ceremony Itself Can Start the Healing Process
Introduction When we lose a loved one, navigating grief is an emotional challenge. The first few days after a death are often a blur of […]
Grief Journal: Support for Grieving Children
In her work as a funeral officiant, Vanessa Bower works with families who are trying to deal with the grieving process. So she was very […]
How an Officiant Creates a Non-religious Funeral
People ask about how an officiant creates a non-religious funeral ceremony. Vanessa Bower from Wordways Ceremonies offers non-religious funerals, celebration of life and memorial ceremonies. […]
Private legal wedding vs Home Affairs wedding: Which is right for you?
In South Africa, couples have more than one option to get legally married: they might have a religious ceremony or go through the Department of […]
7 More Funeral Rituals: Ceremonies of Goodbye
In this second part of our examination of different funeral rituals, we will explore further ceremonial ways of saying goodbye. (Read the first blog on […]
What Colour to Wear at a Funeral
Introduction Most cultures have a tradition for the colour to wear at a funeral. Across the world, colours carry deep symbolic meanings, often woven into […]