End-of-Life Ceremonies

Circe serves as a ceremonial officiant and spiritual caregiver for individuals and families navigating loss. Each ceremony is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the life and spirit of the deceased, while tending gently to the needs of the living. Whether you seek a traditional ritual or something more personal and earth-honoring, these offerings are rooted in presence, respect, and care.

Funeral Service

A funeral is a ceremony held with the deceased physically present, typically in a casket or urn. This is often a more formal rite of farewell, giving family and community the opportunity to mourn together, offer tributes, and mark the transition with meaning. Circe officiates funerals in both traditional and unconventional settings, weaving each service with language that is heartfelt and accessible.

Memorial Service

A memorial is held when the body is not present. It may take place days, weeks, or even months after a death. Memorials can be quiet or celebratory, intimate or communal. They offer space for storytelling, reflection, music, and shared remembrance—without the time constraints of burial or cremation logistics.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of life centers on joy, legacy, and gratitude. It may take place days, weeks, months or even years after a death. While still honoring grief, these ceremonies often focus on the unique character of the person who has died—their humor, quirks, passions, and gifts. With Circe's guidance, families co-create rituals that feel alive with memory and love.

Green Burial Ceremony

A green burial is a natural, environmentally-conscious alternative to conventional funeral practices. Circe offers ceremony design and officiating for green burials at certified natural cemeteries in Maine. In these spaces, the body is returned to the Earth in a shroud or biodegradable casket, without embalming or concrete vaults. The landscape remains wild and minimally marked—a living memorial. These services are simple, beautiful, and aligned with ecological values.

Circe at RitualLab.org can assist with end-of-life considerations such as:

• Designing and officiating meaningful funeral, memorial, or celebration of life ceremonies

• Planning a green burial, including choosing a natural cemetery and crafting earth-honoring ritual

• Providing spiritual care and presence to family members after a death

• Guiding conversations about legacy, values, and end-of-life wishes

• Creating rituals for bedside farewells or home vigils

• Helping families source meaningful readings, music, symbols, and gestures

• Coordinating with funeral homes, cemeteries, or other providers with grace and clarity

• Offering non-religious but spiritually grounded ceremony options for diverse beliefs

• Leading remembrance rituals on anniversaries or special dates

These services are offered with steadiness, deep listening, and a reverence for life in all its complexity. Whether you’re in the midst of loss or planning ahead, Circe offers a grounded presence to help hold the threshold with care.