Rituals for Life, Love, and Loss

By Dorothy McRae-McMahon and Sydney Barbara Metrick

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 Loss provides 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 Loss is for everyone who wishes to mark and honor those significant occasions along life’s journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
• Release date: Sep 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9780897936910

Book preview

The Rituals

Celebrations

The rituals in this section mark the times we look forward to celebrating.

The Meaning and Value of Celebratory Ceremonies

These events reflect the special transitions we wish to commemorate with festivities. Celebratory rituals are about acknowledging and sharing the joy of an occasion. They may serve to express gratitude, provide blessings, or commemorate a meaningful past event. We typically invite friends, family, or other community members to witness or participate in celebrations as a way to share and increase the joy of the occasion. You can use the rituals as written, or use them as models you can adapt to better fit your needs and beliefs.

Blessing a Home

We create different spaces based on what we use them for, and our choices are influenced by the architecture and building materials used to construct the spaces. Everyone has different impressions about light and space and furnishing, all of which enhance how a space may be created or experienced. When you think of walking into places that are called sacred, it is often the atmosphere that invites that naming. Blessing a home may possibly be a beginning or a continuation, bringing a deeper meaning to the place that reflects your day-to-day life and protects you. Whether you’re moving into a new home, or for some reason dedicating a place in which you’ve been living, this ritual can be meaningful for