Sara Hawkins Celebrant

03/27/2026

I continue to be so grateful for the families who trust me with their loved one’s services as well as the funeral homes I partner with who recommend me to them. Almost 13 years in now, and I may love my work even more than when I started!

02/25/2026

This scene in Netflix’s Virgin River struck me:

Preacher: “Funerals can be pretty sad. If this feels like too much, just let me know.”

Christopher: “I want to say goodbye to [her].”

Preacher: “That’s a very grown-up thing to do.”

Whenever families ask if they should bring their kids to a funeral, my answer is almost always YES.

As a parent myself, I totally get having a protective heart. We want to shield our children from painful feelings. But I believe there are two concepts important to ingrain into our kiddos:

1) death is part of life, and
2) mourning together as a community matters.

I look forward to the day when attending funerals isn’t considered a “grown-up” thing, but rather a human one.

If you’re navigating loss with children and have questions, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’ve created three complimentary age-based resources for parents and caregivers (2.5–4, 5–9, and 10+).

If you DM me your email address, I’ll send the one that fits your child’s stage. ♥️

02/20/2026

Today I had the chance to help a family with their loved one who was a die hard Toronto Blue Jays fan. Everyone came dressed in their Jays gear, and we talked about how the game mirrors life in a lot of ways. I used one of my favourite quotes from baseball writer, Rick Maksian who said,, “Life will always throw you curves, just keep fouling them off. . .the right pitch will come, but when it does, be prepared to run the bases”.

Every life has a story worth telling, even the parts that feel like curveballs. If you’re planning a service and want it to truly reflect the person you love, I’d be honoured to help.

01/24/2026

I’ve really liked reading through a lot of these responses.

After sitting with 750+ families after their loved one has died, my own takeaway is pretty simple: at the end of life, two things seem to matter most — simple pleasures with the people you love, and a life focused outwardly on others rather than self. Those are the lives that feel the richest when the story is told.

Funeral friends and colleagues, I’m curious to hear from you as well if you care to share. What has death taught you about life?

01/16/2026

Fantastic article with scientific case studies explaining how rituals unite and divide and how shared suffering can bridge divides. Well worth the short read!

In Tana Toraja, a mountainous region of Sulawesi, Indonesia, villagers pour massive resources into funeral rituals: lavish feasts, ornate effigies and prized water buffaloes for sacrifice.

01/08/2026

So lovely to get the notification for this Google review that came through today. Since the pandemic, in-person services are often preferred. But Pamela wanted hers to be virtual so all of her loved ones all over the world could experience it in the same way together. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to do a funeral or celebration of life. It’s just a matter of figuring out what makes most sense for you. Thank you Richard for taking the time to share your experience. 🕊️

12/11/2025

Here’s an important article that speaks to what I talk about all the time. One of the top reasons I am passionate about my work is because of how I’m able to witness time and time again the power of a personalized, storytelling ceremony. A funeral or memorial Is such a critical first step in the grief journey towards healing.

10/11/2025

It may be raining today, but yesterday the sky opened up beautifully - just in time to honour a remarkable mom/grandma/great-grandma and the family who loved her so deeply. So grateful for this work I get to do!

10/08/2025

I’ve heard it countless times over the years:
“When I die, I don’t want my family to make a fuss. I just want them to keep as much of their inheritance as possible.”

But I like to remind them that “making a fuss” doesn’t have to mean big bucks.

It can be a cozy gathering at home.
Stories shared in the backyard.
Candles and music that feel like THEM.

The key isn’t how fancy it is, but rather it’s how meaningful it feels.

That’s what I help families create: heartfelt ceremonies that honour a life without overspending.

So this is your gentle reminder that it’s not just okay to let them make a fuss. Your loved ones actually need to so that they can begin their grief journey well. ❤️

09/17/2025

Hey everyone, I’m Sara and I’m a Funeral Celebrant which means I help families honour their loved ones by crafting and leading ceremonies that actually feel like them—full of story, personality and meaning (instead of cookie-cutter scripts). Since 2013, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside hundreds of families, and I’m more convinced than ever that telling someone’s story well can be one of the most healing things we do.

Beyond services, I also speak and teach about the power of ceremony—whether that’s encouraging seniors to preserve their legacy, training new celebrants, or equipping funeral professionals with tools to meet today’s families in meaningful, memorable ways.

A few fun facts about me:

🌟 I studied English and Drama at McMaster University before finding my way into this work (which explains my love of storytelling).

🌟 I love experimenting in the kitchen and am obsessed with perfecting homemade bone broth amongst other things.

🌟 About a year ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Not only did this help bring sense to so many of the challenges I’ve had throughout my life, but I now see it as a total gift I wouldn’t trade. (Thanks Meredith Carder!)

🌟 I got fired 4 days before the end of a summer job at a warehouse for bumping into too many things with a forklift.

🌟 I love the Buffalo Bills and the Toronto Blue Jays but my heart fully belongs to my Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

🌟 At home, I’m a wife and mom/stepmom to four amazing kids in our blended family. Our lives are often chaotic, loud and beautiful, and I’m grateful for all of it… most of the time! 😉

🌟 Lastly, one of my core values is that stories matter. They heal, they inspire, they remind us of who we are—and who we’re becoming.

Now I’d love to know a thing or 2 about you. Comment below with a fun fact, core value or anything else you care to share!

09/16/2025

Next week I’ll be at the Ah Ha! Wellness Fair for Ages 55+ at YWCA Hamilton, and I couldn’t be more excited! This event brings together so many amazing organizations dedicated to supporting seniors in living their best lives, and I’ll be sharing ideas for unique, personalized Celebrations of Life that go beyond the “cookie-cutter”. If you or someone you love is a senior in Hamilton, come by and let’s chat!

07/13/2025

Someone recently told me that since his mom died, he rewatches The Lord of the Rings every year, the first movie series he ever watched in the theatre with her.

I’m curious... What rituals/traditions do you do to remember someone who you love and miss? Comment below if you care to share!