Soul Song Ceremonies LLC

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

A remarkable man passed away a few weeks ago. Tom was a brilliant, eclectic, humble, and generous man, a great lover of life. I got to know him through those who loved him, as well as in the process of creating a ceremony that honored his life and legacy.

His memorial service was in his home, where his beloved wife gathered with a close group of family and friends, a small group with deep connections to Tom. There was music (Tom Waits!), laughter, photos, sharing memories, tears, hugs, the tenderness that comes with grief, the gratitude that comes with the connection of abiding love. The day ended with a meal that included eggplant parm, one of the meals Tom loved to prepare for his beloveds.

A memorial or celebration of life can be as simple as this - a living room gathering with small group of people, a simple heartfelt ceremony, the participation in the circle of life.

‘Tis a fearful thing
to love what death can touch.

A fearful thing
to love, to hope, to dream, to be –
to be,
And oh, to lose.

A thing for fools, this,
And a holy thing,
a holy thing
to love.

usually attributed to Yehuda HaLevi
appears to have been written by Rabbi Chaim Stern
https://blog.aftertalk.com/ro-love-what-death-can-touch/

05/27/2026

Death doulas or soul midwives have increased in popularity in recent years. What do they do?

05/27/2026

Wedding money, family control, and why The New York Times keeps calling us: https://offbeatwed.com/nytimes-wedding-money/

05/18/2026

An annual report has highlighted some quirky funeral songs, among them... the ominous ‘Jaws’ theme.

05/18/2026

When we create spaces for people to talk openly about death, dying, and grief, we know these conversations can be powerful—but also challenging.

What do you personally find most difficult when having conversations about death?

Is it:
• People’s fear or avoidance of the topic?
• Managing strong emotions in the room?
• Cultural or family differences around death?
• Your own feelings that come up during the conversation?
• Something else entirely?

05/18/2026

Join us on Friday, May 29th at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET for another Home Funeral Alliance webinar you won’t want to miss!

End-of-life doulas are essential to the future of deathcare, but without a clear understanding of how funeral service operates, collaboration can quickly break down. This webinar gives you the insight and structure you need to show up with confidence, build trust with funeral professionals, and provide meaningful, aligned support to families when it matters most.

To register for access to this webinar and the recording, tap the Webinars link in our linktree. Then mark your calendar and bring your questions - we’re looking forward to seeing you on the 29th!

YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER BY CLICKING THIS LINK:
https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/webinars?fbclid=IwY2xjawR38ZFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUSjVMWlhjTkp0WXpPYkFRc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpDbLmJ9xWykIO082FaZDvKAR2IULzyjZlT3w2qMK7gyzUCIE6XLrPjY2bA6_aem_AKCA0cDbdWPsPkS0VJt0yw

About Jessica
Jess Wakefield is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and educator with over 15 years of experience in end-of-life care. Known for her compassionate leadership and forward thinking approach, she is a recognized voice in modern, values driven funeral service, with a focus on sustainability, ritual, and community-centered care. Jess has served in executive leadership roles across the West Coast and is a former President of the Washington State Funeral Directors Association. Through her writing, speaking, and professional work, she is committed to reshaping how we experience grief, honor life, and care for one another at the end of life.

05/18/2026

🚨 New blog post alert!

What if your longing for belonging is actually an invitation to deepen your relationship with the land beneath your feet? 🌿

Through embodied movement, seasonal ritual, and community connection Life-Cycle Celebrant™️ and NTI's Learning Director, Jen Boyes-Manseau's blog post offers a path from grief and disconnection toward joy, presence, and a felt sense of home.

🔗 https://www.naturaltransitions.org/blog

05/13/2026