Evermore Civil Ceremonies

06/05/2026

The D Word isn't just in Fife. We are Scotland wide. These photos were taken when Gillian Robertson (Founder of The D Word CIC) carried out sessions with a group of students at Carrongrange High School in Falkirk.
If you are interested in your school hosting The D Word please contact me or take a look at our website for more information
https://thedwordcic.info/

05/05/2026

For today's Demystify Death Week post, I have a fantastic gentle little animation that explores different burial practices.
This is something we cover in The D Word, explore how the dead are honoured across the world. The young people find this fascinating.
https://view.genially.com/65422e2d4dc441001160bc03?fbclid=IwdGRzaARm0-5jbGNrBGbT4GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHgkD87c4c-6PDmz_HpDeLMPuC2ruJY8ET5bv5zL_qbTW-HpssCwIlAu5taKl_aem_EEx6AsrjhXdLqS2fLb7HtA

04/05/2026

In The D Word, we support young people to talk openly about Death, Dying, and Grief. Many adults ask me, "Are they not too young? Do we need to burden them with this knowledge? Let them enjoy being children!"
But we can't protect them from having to face grief; it's an inevitable fact of life. By protecting our young people, we can, in some situations, cause fear, anxiety, isolation, and complicated grief.

This little video highlights why it's important to talk openly about death. Children are curious and more resilient than we think.
https://vimeo.com/546439507

In the D Word sessions I always tell the students, "no question is a stupid question! If you are thinking it, chances are your friends are probably wondering too."

If you're supporting a young person who have questions about death and dying and you don't feel comfortable or confident answering them, just send me a WhatsApp message. I'm happy to help!

In this very short film, Dr Sally Paul, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Strathclyde, explores what children want to know about death. More information is available here: https://www.goodlifedeathgrief.org.uk/content/what_children_want_to_know/

04/05/2026

I wanted to share a new short film made specifically for Demystifying Death Week 2026. It's really helpful for people living with an illness that won't improve and their families.

"Do you know someone with a serious illness that won’t get better?" is a new film, launched to mark Demystifying Death Week 2026.

04/05/2026

Demystifying Death Week is about shining a light on death, dying and bereavement in Scotland. Here is a list of some of the events taking place across the nation.

https://www.goodlifedeathgrief.org.uk/blogs/demystifying-death-week-2026/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARlJQ1jbGNrBGUkxWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHhaM6GEzVL5HDqzhiyJvL9krRVnhMcSCZzEoIJOycIenXuQ3OO04EwaIrE2z_aem_acTvXdxCDdUVp0q7jepfBA

Demystifying Death Week is about shining a light on death, dying and bereavement in Scotland. We are encouraging people to get involved by holding in-person and online events that bring death, dying and bereavement into the limelight.

04/05/2026

Today marks the start of Demystifying Death Week in Scotland. This week aims to highlight the importance of open conversation about death and to explore the choices and options available.
There are events happening all over Scotland, and I'll post a link. Have a look and see if anything near you or online is useful or answers any questions you might have!

01/05/2026

As Demystifying Death Week approaches (4-10th of May). I thought this seemed like the ideal time to share some of the amazing feedback I received from S5 students at Woodmill High School who chose to attend The D Word CIC sessions.
The feedback really shows how important it is to be allowing our young people the space and time to talk about death and dying and feel comfortable to ask questions.

I can't thank the students enough for the compassion, maturity and empathy that they demonstrated. I witnessed so much caring, openness and support for one another. 💕

I also have to say a massive thank you to Family Link Worker Katie Body for your support, friendship, enthusiasm, weird questions and "Katie-isms". Looking forward to our next adventure together at Woodmill.
To Mr Parnham for carrying the programme forward, backing us, organising all the practical arrangements and being our chauffeur for the day. 💕

A highlight of the programme for the students was the visiting day and that was thanks to the warm welcome by our local bereavement professionals - the Dunfermline Crematorium staff, Rev Rae McKenzie at Viewfield Baptist Church and Co-op Funeral Care Dunfermline. Each and every one of you went above and beyond to make the experience compassionate, informative, unique, respectful and a little bit funny!!! 💕

Also thank you to The Courier for running a stunning feature on the D Word. 💕

Together we are building a stronger more resilient generation of young people 💕







If you have any questions or would like more information on bringing The D Word CIC to your school, college or workplace then please contact me directly or take a look at our website https://thedwordcic.info/ for more information.

01/05/2026

If you have ever chatted with me about final care wishes, as many people have done, then you will know that this is what I'm holding out for.
What are your thoughts?






https://www.facebook.com/share/1AcxcbBudR/

Terramation, also known as human composting takes its name from the Latin for earth ('terra') and cremation. Like aquamation, it's an eco-friendly alternative to cremation and traditional burial methods.

Terramation requires a body to be placed inside of a special vessel along with straw, wood chips/sawdust, and other organic matter, such as alfalfa. The vessel's temperature and humidity levels are regulated to ensure the organic matter of the body is broken down properly. The body then decomposes over a matter of weeks.

Once inorganic material is filtered out (dental fillings, implants, etc), what's left is nutrient-dense soil. Bone matter is crushed and reduced to a powder that will then go back into the soil; soil that can then be used in gardens and forests to nourish and feed plants and trees.

While not yet legal in the UK (though it's fast becoming a topic of conversation), terramation is now legal in 13 US States.

What do you think? Would you like to see terramation legalized here in the UK?

29/04/2026

TIME IS SO PRECIOUS 💕

This has been a HUGE week for my family. My dad finally got discharged from hospital and accepted a place at Morar Living - Pitreave Castle Nursing Home.

It's wonderful having him so close to us and he is loving spending time with family, especially his granddaughters.
The staff on his unit are amazing and just really "get" dad and that is so important. Massive thanks to Janey, Ryan, Martha, Sarah and Nicolleta for being so welcoming and making us all laugh so much 😂

Today we enjoyed time in the sunshine with coffee and cake at the dementia coffee afternoon (Don't worry, Dad is booked into the hairdressers very very soon ✂️).

Life is short and time is precious. In my job everyone tells me it's the little, normal things they will miss when a loved one dies. The things we take for granted.

I saw this on Facebook and felt it was relevant to all who have aging parents (sorry mum and dad) and wanted to share it.

Appreciate the small stuff and capture those moments. 💕

YOUR PARENTS ARE GETTING OLDER.

30 Things To Do With Them Before Time Moves On.

📸 CAPTURE THEM
1. Record their voice telling a story. One day that voice becomes a sound you can never hear again.

2. Film them laughing. Not posing. Laughing. That footage will be priceless when the house gets quiet.

3. Take a photo with them doing absolutely nothing. The ordinary ones hurt the most when they become memories.

4. Ask them to write their name on paper. Keep it. Handwriting is the most personal thing that disappears first.

5. Photograph their hands. Those hands built everything you are. One day you'll trace the photo and feel them again.

💬 ASK THEM

6. "What was the happiest day of your life?" Their answer will probably surprise you. And break you a little.

7. "What did you dream of becoming before life happened?" They had dreams before they had you. Honor that.

8. "What's the hardest thing you never told me about?" Their silence carried weight so your childhood wouldn't.

9. "How did you and mum/dad fall in love?" You exist because of a love story you've never fully heard.

10. "What do you wish you'd done differently?" Not for judgment. For understanding. They're human too.

🖤 FEEL WITH THEM

11. Cook their favorite meal together. Not for them. With them. The kitchen remembers everything.

12. Watch their favorite old movie together. Let them narrate it. Their commentary is the real film.

13. Sit with them in silence. No phone. No TV. Just presence. They don't need your conversation. They need your company.

14. Hold their hand for no reason. They held yours when you couldn't walk. Return the gesture before time takes it away.

15. Hug them longer than usual today. Count to 20. Let the awkwardness melt. That's not a hug. That's a timestamp.

🗺️ EXPERIENCE WITH THEM

16. Take them to the place they grew up. Watch their eyes become young again for a few minutes.

17. Go for a slow walk together. Match their pace. The world looks different at their speed.

18. Drive them somewhere without telling them where. Surprise your parents. They spent decades surprising you.

19. Eat at the restaurant they went to on their first date. Some places hold love that Google reviews can't rate.

20. Travel with them once. Just once. Before their body says no. The trip doesn't have to be fancy. It has to happen.

📝 GIVE THEM

21. Write them a letter by hand. Not a birthday card. A real letter. Words they'll read when you're not in the room.

22. Say "thank you for everything" and mean every syllable. They've been waiting to hear it longer than you know.

23. Tell them you're proud of them. Children never say this. But parents need to hear it just as much as you did.

24. Apologize for the years you didn't understand them. You were young. They were tired. Both things were true.

25. Tell them you love them today. Not on a holiday. Not on their birthday. Today. Ordinary I-love-you's hit the hardest.

👑 HONOR THEM

26. Learn their recipe. The one they make from memory. Write it down. That recipe is a bloodline in a bowl.

27. Frame a photo of them from when they were your age. They were young once. They had dreams once. Remember that.

28. Ask them to teach you one thing they're good at. Let them feel needed. That feeling disappears as kids grow up.

29. Introduce them to your world. Your music. Your friends. Your dreams. Let them see who you became because of them.

30. Put your phone down right now and go sit next to them. Don't say anything. Don't plan anything. Just be there. Because one day you'll walk into their room and the chair will be empty. The house will be quiet. The phone will never ring from that number again. And you'll wish more than anything in this world that you could have one more ordinary boring meaningless day with them. Today is that day. Don't waste it.

22/04/2026

This is a lovely tradition that has been lost. When a funeral cortege passes you, take a moment, pause and recognise the life that has been lived. I think it would really touch families too to see their loved one receiving respect from complete strangers. A brief, shared moment of grief and understanding.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18WivKGJAQ/

Could I ask everyone for some help at this very difficult time....

Paying Our Respects

If you see a hearse, could you stop, stand for a moment as it passes, perhaps take off your cap, and bow your head?

we wondered if we could revive an old tradition that would show people that their loss is noticed and shared by us all?

It would mean the world to families in a time of sadness.

Please if you see a hearse at a junction please stop and allow some of the following cars to also exit the junction. On most cases this is the family behind following the hearse.

It only makes your Journey slightly longer but means the world to families in sure different times. Thank you 🙏🙏

Peterson Funeral Services

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Our family caring for your family

11/04/2026

Today as I write, I'm reflecting on the loss of a mother and I read these words by Donna Ashworth:

"For she did not leave, mother's cannot leave. They are in you, look inside, she's there and that is unable to be taken now. That is yours to keep forevermore."

I am very fortunate to still have my mum with us, but I have supported so many families who say to me, "but she was just always there," and I see that pain — the deep ache that comes from losing someone who felt like part of the very structure of life itself.

A mother’s presence is often so constant, so woven into the everyday, that we don’t always notice how much of our safety, our identity, and our comfort rests in her being there. And when she is no longer physically present, it can feel as though something fundamental has shifted.

But I also see something else. I see the way their mum lives on in them — in the phrases they use, in the recipes they cook, in the way they soothe their own children, in the quiet strength they didn't even realise they had.

Because love like that doesn’t disappear. It settles. It roots itself. It becomes part of who we are.

So when someone says, "she was just always there," I gently think — she still is. Just in a different way. In your kindness, in your resilience, in your memories, and in the love you continue to give.

Some bonds aren’t broken by death. They simply change shape. 💕

Today my candle burns brightly for a mum, a Nanny, an "Old Nanny" who will be missed by all who knew and loved her but who lives on in all the ways she touched their hearts. A mother is never truly gone 💕