Rituals for Life, Love, and Loss [Hardcover]

From the joy of naming a child or blessing a home to the sadness of ending a marriage or the dignity of a simple funeral, here are the words and settings needed to value and commemorate life’s transitions and milestones.Rituals for Life, Love, and Lossprovides rituals and meditations for today's world, for times of celebration and commitment, for new beginnings, and for periods of grief. Dorothy McRae-McMahon, internationally renowned for her work with ritual, has created meaningful ceremonies for all people, regardless of their faith. Presented in three parts — Celebrations, Changes, and Letting Go — these rituals are comprised of simple, direct language and include guidance for what to say, suggestions for music, and ideas for group participation and incorporating symbolic objects.Rituals for Life, Love, and Lossis for everyone who wishes to mark and honor those significant occasions along life’s journey.

Introduction
Using These Rituals
The Celebration
Blessing a Home
A Marriage Ceremony
Commitment for Two People
The Birth of a Child
Naming a Child
For a Child with a Disability
Compassion for Yourself
A Milestone Birthday
A Citizenship Ceremony
Our Heroes and Heroines
Celebrating Our Country
The In Between
Forgiving Yourself
Forgiving Someone Else
A Termination of Pregnancy
Surviving Domestic Violence
Surviving Sexual Abuse
The End of a Marriage
Sending Someone into Care
Facing Illness
The Grieving
Facing a Miscarriage
A Funeral for a Baby
Grieving a Missing Person
Farewelling a Loved One
Grieving a Suicide
A Simple Funeral
Burying or Scattering Ashes
The Death of a Pet
Grieving Violence
After the Fires
Facing the Drought

From the INTRODUCTION
Rituals are about honoring and marking significant moments in our journey through life. When we create a ritual we designate a special time, plal¢