Jessica Green - Inner Light Ceremonies

20/05/2025

Just thought I’d share a poem with you that’s very special to me. It’s a poem I wrote for my very first funeral ceremony 9 years ago. The video also explains the story behind the poem. The words of the poem are also below:

Last Train Home” By Jessica Green

You are standing on the platform, of the station they call life,
It is time for you to move on, from any suffering, any strife.

You hear the whistle sounding, like music to your ears,
It’s the sound that’s always brought you joy, for many many years.

And as the train approaches, and the steam begins to fade,
You see that it’s the engine, of which all your dreams were made.

As the train slows down and stops, and the door it opens wide,
You see that all your closest friends, and family are inside,

With beaming faces filled with joy, arms ready to embrace,
Ready to welcome you on this train, to a very special place.

You are sad to leave your loved ones, but you know you’ll meet again,
You’ll be first in line to welcome them, when it’s their turn to catch the train.

So with a smile, you climb on board, and turn and wave goodbye,
And as the train begins to move, it travels towards the sky.

19/05/2025

Well, after a few months off after treatment for Breast Cancer (with a very positive outcome ❤️😇🙏🏼) I’m well and truly back …. and feeling very lucky to be doing what I love soo very much 🙏🏼

I’m hoping to post regularly over the coming months with poems, feedback, motivational quotes & a few videos (mainly my poems) along the way. I hope you don’t mind 😘

I’ll start with some lovely feedback from a wonderful family whose dad’s ceremony I did recently:

“Jessica,

I just wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for the beautiful service you conducted for my dad. Your compassion and care truly shone through in every part of the ceremony. The way you guided us through the service—with such warmth and sensitivity—helped make a very difficult day feel a little lighter.

The personal story you shared from the memories my dad had written down and the way you spoke about his life made it all feel so genuine and meaningful. It was a lovely service, and many people mentioned how much it reflected who he was.

Thank you again for the kindness and grace you brought to the day—it meant a great deal to all of us.

Warm regards

J & family x”

How lucky am I to be doing what I do??!!❤️

14/02/2024

To me this picture speaks a thousand words. Five years ago today I had the honour of helping my cousins celebrate my aunt and godmother’s life in Dublin. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do other than saying goodbye to my own mam. I didn’t know Paul (My husband) was taking this photo but when I look at it I’m right back there, feeling every emotion I felt as I walked towards the crematorium chapel. I was so scared that I wouldn’t do the woman, who’d been my hero from childhood, justice and I was really afraid that my emotions would get the better of me. I asked for help from the powers that be and my mam & uncle Shay, (her husband who had been buried exactly 13 years earlier). I remember as I got to the door taking a deep breath, holding my head up high and taking what felt like the biggest step ever as I walked inside ....................
And all went well. I did get a bit emotional, but that was okay. And I was only part of the ceremony, my cousin gave an amazing Eulogy, her grandchildren brought up some memories of her as gifts and my cousins sang her favorite songs. It was a real celebration of her life - just what a funeral should be!!! I think of my cousins today as I remember my Aunty Ailish and also my uncle Shay who were both a huge influence on my life ❤️ ###

24/12/2023

Thought this might be worth sharing again as the words seemed to help so many last year. Merry Christmas to all 🎄and HUGE Healing Hugs to all who are missing a loved one at Christmas time 😘 ………………..

I was missing my mam this morning. I always miss her most at Christmas because she loved it so much. To us, she was Christmas. So I decided to write a poem and I felt so much more positive afterwards. I’m sharing the poem in the hope that it might do the same for someone else. I even made a video!! (OMG!) Thinking of all who are missing loved ones this Christmas and sending sooo much love ❤️ ###

❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️

There’s one less present under the tree,
For a person who’ll always be special to me,
One less person at the table to eat,
And we can’t help but notice that empty seat.

With tears in our eyes we raise a glass,
And our thoughts go back to Christmases past,
When you were still with us filled with cheer,
Because Christmas was always your favourite time of year.

You’d spoil us all with gifts galore,
And the house was lit up from the roof to the floor,
You’d pile our plates high, we’d be fit to burst,
But we’d have to find room for your trifle first!

As the years have gone by we still find it hard,
And sometimes our grief really catches us off guard,
But time is a healer and as the years have gone by,
We remember with sadness but also with joy.

And at the table at Christmas your essence lives on,
And to hear us all talk you’d never think you were gone,
Your name is mentioned time and time again,
With love and with laughter, and not as much pain.

You’re still part of our Christmas,
And always will be,
You’re in the Angels and feathers we place on the tree,
You’re in the trifle we make, the plates we pile high,
You’re in the memories we share, in our laughter … and sighs

In the gifts that we share and the love that we feel
That never seems to change even though you’re not here
You’re still at our table just in a different way
and you’ll always be part of our Christmas Day! ❤️

22/12/2023

Last week I met a woman whose mum’s ceremony I did a couple of years ago and she asked if I was still doing my celebrancy as I hadn’t posted in a while. So (to show I’m still here!! 😆 And still loving what I do! 🥰) some Friday Feedback from a really lovely family whose dads ceremony I did recently. ❤️❤️❤️

“Dear Jess

Thank you so much for the wonderful, thoughtful and kind way in which you do-ordinated, planned and led my dad's funeral. Everyone said what a lovely service it was and what a wonderful celebrant you are. They really felt that the whole service was a true reflection of dad, so thank you for that.

Thank you again for everything and for turning a difficult day into something which was actually rather uplifting and made us feel very close to dad. I know that mum, though overwhelmed by the day, found great comfort in the service and is still talking about how beautiful it was.”

How lovely is that? And how lucky am I? 🥰

26/07/2023

This really spoke to me this morning. Thought it might do the same for some of you too 😘 ……

🌻 "Grief can be a burden, but also an anchor. You get used to the weight, how it holds you in place."

This powerful sentiment captures the essence of grieving. While it might feel heavy, almost unbearable at times, grief also serves as a deep connection to the person we've lost.
This bond keeps us anchored, reminding us of the love and memories we shared.

As time passes, we don't necessarily lighten this weight; rather, we grow stronger, learning to carry it with resilience and grace.

We keep moving, living, and growing, all the while cherishing the indelible imprint of our loved ones in our hearts.

21/07/2023

Out for a walk by the river in Inverness, where I have the honour of helping our very good friends’ daughter & husband celebrate their wedding tomorrow. How lucky am I? ✨✨✨

02/07/2023

Saw this and it really resonated so thought I’d share with you too ………..

Grief is an unravelling of everything we are and everything we know. It isn't that we can't heal. It is only that when we begin to put ourselves back together again the pieces don't quite fit. We are forever changed and if you look for us as we were you will not find us.

17/06/2023

Thinking of everyone missing their dad on Fathers Day, and sending love ❤️

THE LOSS OF A FATHER

Is the anchor pulled from the seabed
the steering wheel unhinged
the mast split by lightning
and the bow broken by storm.

The ship that you sailed
until now
feels unsafe
no longer weather-proof
and without direction
or brave heart
to speed its way.

Perhaps you did not even know
that he was your compass
that you gazed upon his lead
like a North-star in the night.

He gave you all of this
you see
without notice or congratulation
diligently
consistently
continuously guiding
always showing the way
in the way he knew how.

And whilst you are cast adrift
I know this to be true
you will anchor yourself once more my friend
when you realise
that his voice still speaks
still guides
still brings brave heart your way
in the roughest of storms .

And the answers you seek
he already planted deep
within your heart
for he knew one day

you would need to sail alone.

So he buried little pieces of himself
within your heart
your mind
your spirit
and your soul

little breadcrumbs of love
to show the way

forevermore.

(My ❤️ to all this weekend)

Donna Ashworth
From ‘LOSS’: https://amzn.eu/d/5ssxFnd