Norma Wellwood
Certified Funeral Celebrant
While training to become a Funeral Director and Embalmer in British Columbia, Norma recognized that many individuals making death care arrangements wanted to honor their deceased loved one in a personalized way.
She learned of the Funeral Celebrant as a ceremonial leader whose role was to help individuals design and present funeral, memorial and celebration of life services that reflect the lifestyle and personality of a deceased loved one. She traveled to the United States, was trained & certified by the In-Sight Institute, Oklahoma, USA after her graduation from the Western School of Funeral Service in 2001.
Norma is a member of the Funeral Service Association of B.C. and a graduate of the Counsellor Training Institute in Vancouver. In her role as a Funeral Celebrant she is a loss & grief educator, facilitator, creative writer, ceremonial leader and public presenter.
The reconciliation of her own personal losses through meaningful ceremony is at the heart of her professional role as a Funeral Celebrant.
Norma serves individuals living in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
Testimonials for Norma Wellwood
“It was a pleasure to have met you and appreciate your kind words
about our brother. I have read and re-read your tribute many times and it
has helped me in my loss of my son."
T.M., North York, Ontario
Family members flew in from Ontario to attend this celebration of their elder brother’s life. We incorporated a life narrative, a poem that reflected his love of nature; a Christian scripture reading that reminded them of their history as well as a Christian hymn, done country!
“Our ‘In Memoriam’ was the finale to a life enjoyed by
my wife. Norma organized it in an unobtrusive way…Norma met with us to
ensure our expectations would be met. In our case this was that there would
be limited reference to religion. To most of those present the gathering was
unique.”
F.G. Vancouver, B.C.
As bereaved individuals it is difficult to consider sharing a personal anecdote or life narrative of our deceased loved one. However, the effort it takes to put thought into words will become a source of comfort & healing as we move through the reconciliation of our loss in the months following the funeral or memorial service.
“Thank you so much for keeping us on track with your guidance. It
gave us permission to do what felt right. Your inspiration and creative touch
is so perfect for my mom.”
M.D. Vancouver, B.C.
In the days following our loved one’s death we are often visited with a creative spirit that is sometimes less evident at other times. It is important to listen to these creative urges as they come from the deepest place of our design. Sometimes, as bereaved individuals we just need to be given permission to do what our heart is telling us to do.
“The service was very meaningful because of her gentle insistence
that my sister and I be the ones to choose the music & readings that were
meaningful to us. She took our choices and added her own comments of both
general comfort and specific references to our mother and tied it all together
very beautifully.”
S.H. Vancouver, B.C.
Participation by bereaved individuals in the funeral or memorial service planning helps us move through the early days of loss with a sense of purpose. Participation in the planning and presentation by family and friends helps us affirm the value and significance of our loved one’s life with us.
“The service was very meaningful because we incorporated our diverse
spiritual beliefs.”
A.D. North Vancouver, B.C.
A Funeral Celebrant is an alternative ceremonial leader, trained and certified to help bereaved individuals present a funeral, memorial or celebration of life service that honours their loss and the life of the deceased. Definitions of spirituality vary today. Many individuals may define their spirituality with a reverence for nature, family or kind acts. A personalized service reflects an individual’s personality and lifestyle, which often mirrors his or her spiritual nature.
“Our whole family wanted to say thank you. Mom would have loved her
Celebration of Life and it helped to ease the hurt for all of us.”
S.M., California, U.S.A.
A meaningful funeral, memorial or celebration of life service begins our healing journey as bereaved individuals.