Linda Stuart, Celebrant, Coach & Speaker

06/16/2025

I got my first tattoo today.
Father's Day.
Which is kind of funny because my dad was not a fan. He could never understand what could possibly be important enough to tattoo on your body. And for the most part, I agreed with him.
Until now.

06/15/2025

I got my first tattoo today.
Father’s Day.
Which is kind of funny because he was not a fan.
He could never understand what could possibly be important enough to tattoo on your body.
And for the most part, I agreed with him.
Until now.

12/24/2024

59. The last year of this decade of my life.

A couple of months ago, I dreamt I was flying with my dad. We were soaring through the sky together like superheros - he was happy, smiling, and free.

In the dream, he said, “Linda, I want you to carry the light that was my life, not the weight that was my death.”

Life has been heavy these past few years, so as I step into 59, I’m choosing lightness. Not to erase the heavy things, but just to let them rest for a little while so I can make more space for moments that lift me up - for laughter, for ease and a little more fun.

Here’s to 59 - all wrapped up in his scarf and carrying his light.

12/17/2024

https://www.aweber.com/newsletter/awlist5507967/MjU5MTYxNTY=/weight-of-grief-gift-of-legacy.htm

Would the world hold more love if we gave grief a place to live? Hello, friend It's been a while since I've written, and I'm grateful you're still…

12/10/2024

For all the feels...

All My Love is taken from Coldplay's tenth studio album Moon Music, available here: https://coldplay.lnk.to/MoonMusic 🌙FOLLOW AND LISTEN TO COLDPLAYhttps://...

11/22/2024

Today is World Funeral Celebrant Day.

Saying goodbye to someone we love is the hardest thing we will ever do—something I now know firsthand. Grief changes us - it reflects the love we carry and the loss we feel. That’s why, for the past 17 years, I’ve poured my heart into creating ceremonies that honour lives and celebrate love and legacy in a deeply personal and authentic way.

Today, I extend my gratitude to all the celebrants who hold space for love, loss, and the life that goes on. And I want to express my appreciation to you—the families and friends who have placed your trust in us during these moments.

If you’ve ever been to one of my ceremonies or worked with me, I hope it brought you comfort and connection, and I’d love to hear your stories—how you’ve found meaning in honouring love and loss.

11/22/2024

Today is World Funeral Celebrant Day.

Saying goodbye to someone we love is the hardest thing we will ever do—something I now know firsthand. Grief changes us - it reflects the love we carry and the loss we feel. That's why, for the past 17 years, I've poured my heart into creating ceremonies that honour lives and celebrate love and legacy in a deeply personal and authentic way.

Today, I extend my gratitude to all the celebrants who hold space for love, loss, and the life that goes on. And I want to express my appreciation to you—the families and friends who have placed your trust in us during these moments.

If you've ever been to one of my ceremonies or worked with me, I hope it brought you comfort and connection, and I'd love to hear your stories—how you've found meaning in honouring love and loss.

10/19/2024

Watching Andrew Garfield on Sesame Street reminds me that grief and love are intertwined—sometimes messy, sometimes just a quiet ache, but it's always there, and I wouldn't have it any other way because grief is where my love lives.

10/13/2024

On Friday we watched with joy and pride as Jamieson married his love Jessica.

I could not have handpicked a more perfect partner for my son - Jessica is pure sunshine and has brought light to a corner of our lives we didn’t even realize was in the shade! 💛☀️💛

It was a day full of love, laughter and so many beautiful moments and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Jess along with her wonderful parents Audrey and Larry into our family.

06/19/2024

My dad requested very little of me in life, but in death, he wanted two things: that "Amazing Grace" be played by bagpipes and that I lead the ceremony as his celebrant. The first request was simple, but the second, not so much. Despite my protests that I couldn't handle it emotionally, he insisted, saying, "You can and you will!"

And so, with his fanciest pair of shoes next to me the whole time, he was right: I could, and I did.

It was essential to include, among other things, his generous spirit, Scottish heritage, Canadian gratitude, love of golf, roast beef, and sticky toffee pudding.

It was the best day that I never wanted to happen - a perfectly heart-opening and heart-breaking way to honour my lovely dad. The pictures speak for themselves, but I want to extend much love and gratitude to my friend Patti Koeslag for being my celebrant support and Diana Robinson Celebrations of Life Toronto for her kindness and passionate attention to detail and for bringing my vision to life in such a beautiful way.

05/23/2024

The lessons of grief.

05/15/2024

“Where is home?” I asked my dad just a couple of weeks before he died. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and I could see the memories dancing behind his hazel, misty eyes.

“Scotland,” he whispered.

And so today, I am taking my dad home to where my roots are buried - a place that has always felt like home in my heart. There, we will visit the places where his memories live, and my sons and I will scatter a portion of his ashes by his mother’s grave in Oban.

Scotland is calling, and I must go. ❤️