Lorraine Cowan

​A proud graduate of the 
Celebrant Foundation and Institute
​ I am certified​ to create and perform  Funerals,  Weddings & Ceremonies Across the Life Cycle.(Baby Welcoming and Naming, Life's Transitions, Vow Renewals)

Personal, Custom Written Ceremonies
for ​Life's
Transitions & Transformations

​I've always loved to write stories.  As a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant I have the privilege of listening to your story then writing and professionally officiating a unique and custom ceremony created just for you.  

Whether you're celebrating a new baby, a wedding, renewing your vows, retirement, special birthday, a move or an end of life event, I create and officiate a ceremony that is yours, and only yours.  

​We've all been to a ceremony that seemed long and rote.  Maybe the story wasn't relevant, perhaps the officiant couldn't be heard, or even mispronounced the names, or maybe it was the same ceremony heard many times with only the names replaced.  Your life event wasn't created from a template and neither should your ceremony.  

I Love What I Do 

When I attended the wedding of my best friend​ from childhood, I was captivated.  Held in a peaceful country setting surrounded by wildflowers and bird-songs, the service was eloquently officiated by spiritual officiant with no overtones of organized religion.  The Officiant made such an impression on me I remember thinking “I’d love to do what she’s doing”. ​

While vacationing in Ogunquit, Maine, I witnessed a beautiful same sex beach wedding, also officiated by a woman.   It was lovely and I remember thinking to myself “I’d love to do what she’s doing”. ​

Ogunquit Beach, Maine

​Most of the positions I held in my corporate jobs provided the opportunity to write and present in public, however, this was quickly becoming the only part of my job I still enjoyed.  As spreadsheets and share-holder value became the corporate focus, a softer energy was calling me and I wanted to use my skills for something more fulfilling than corporate presentations. 
​
One lunch hour I found myself flipping through a Spirituality and Health magazine which seemed to magically open to a page with a picture of a woman conducting a marriage ceremony.  The caption said “Become a Life-Cycle Celebrant”.  I had never heard this term before and my jaw dropped when Google returned my search results.  I knew immediately this was what I was meant to be, and do.  ​​

Life gave me a couple of unexpected turns gracing me with the opportunity to apply to the Celebrant Foundation and Institute.  After passing a thorough selection and qualification process including independent evaluations of my writing and presentation skills, my vocal ability as well as my ability to create and hold space, I was accepted. 

After 12 months of rigorous study, ​I successfully graduated with 4 different certificates: 

• Fundamentals of Celebrancy,
• Weddings and Ceremonies for Couples
• End of Life Ceremonies
• Ceremonies Across the Life Cycle

In each certificate course I learned the art and creation of custom ceremony and ritual.  I was immersed in a rich study of ritual history & theory, ceremonial structure, symbolism, storytelling and traditions from around the world.  I also learned the intricacies around choreographing and managing ceremonies.  
 
​The time arrived for me to do what started calling me years ago; writing and officiating ceremonies to mark life's special moments and milestones.  I am blessed to tell my story and It will be my honour to tell yours.  ​