How I Approach This Work

I don’t rush people through loss.

I listen to what’s being remembered, what’s difficult to say, and what doesn’t need to be said out loud. I pay attention to family dynamics, emotional temperature, and the reality that not everyone in the room is grieving the same way.

Some funerals are quiet.
Some are story-filled.
Some include laughter because that’s honest — not because it’s expected.

Tone is never imposed. It’s discovered.

What This Kind of Ceremony Feels Like

A Champagne Book memorial is:

• calm without being distant
  
  

• warm without being sentimental
  
  

• respectful without being stiff
  
  

It leaves people feeling oriented — not overwhelmed and not unfinished.

The goal is not closure.
It’s recognition.

Celebration of Life & Non-Traditional Memorials

Not every life is best honored with solemnity alone.

I also officiate:

• celebrations of life
  
  

• memorials that include humor or storytelling
  
  

• secular or spiritual-adjacent ceremonies
  
  

• gatherings outside funeral homes or religious spaces
  
  

If laughter belongs, it’s welcomed.
If silence belongs, it’s protected.

Living & End-of-Life Ceremonies

Some people want to be present for their own remembrance.

I offer living memorials and end-of-life ceremonies for individuals who want to:

• speak directly to loved ones
  
  

• mark a transition with intention
  
  

• leave language behind while they still can
  
  

These ceremonies are handled with exceptional care and discretion.

A Note on Boundaries

I am not a therapist, clergy member, or grief counselor — though I work alongside them respectfully when appropriate.

I do not:

• sanitize grief
  
  

• impose belief systems
  
  

• perform false comfort
  
  

I take responsibility for language, pacing, and presence — and I remain grounded throughout.

Availability

I officiate a limited number of funerals and memorials each month in:

• New York City
  
  

• New York State
  
  

• New Jersey
  
  

• Palm Springs & Southern California (coming soon)
  
  

Time-sensitive situations are handled with care when possible.

Beginning the Conversation

If you’re considering working together, you’re welcome to reach out.

There is no script for loss — only a need for steadiness.

Inquire →