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EVERY LIFE DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED IN A SPECIAL WAY
AND EVERY FAMILY DESERVES A MOURNING EXPERIENCE THAT IS DEEPLY SIGNIFICANT
More and more families today are looking for ways to personalize funerals and memorial services so that they better reflect the life of their loved one. Sadly, all too often, traditional funerals are cookie cutter affairs — generic and impersonal — reflecting neither the values nor the beliefs of the person who has died.
As an experienced nondenominational ritualist and Certified Funeral Celebrant (by the In-Sight Institute, sponsored by the New York State Funeral Director’s Association), I offer customized creative, sensitive, spirited end-of-life ceremonies. All services are designed specifically to suit the individual needs of each family and are planned in collaboration with the near and dear of the deceased.
My mission is twofold:
To honor the life of your loved one in a meaningful manner that respects his or her beliefs, reflects his or her personality and circumstances, and celebrates the significance of the relationship that you shared.
To offer comfort, consolation and grief support to those relatives, friends, colleagues and communities who mourn their loss.
I would be honored to work with you in your time of need.
Fees vary depending upon the complexity of the ritual, supplies required, location, and number of attendees.
Please contact me by email or call 718-857-1343 to discuss your ceremonial needs.
Thank you for issuing such a beautiful and thoughtful eulogy for our son. We'll always be grateful for your services. We also greatly appreciate your kindness and support during this difficult time in our lives. Peace and Love
— Manny & Theresa, Ozone Park, NY
Families who work with Donna at the end of a loved one's life are so blessed. Her presence and her ceremonies turn a death into an event that is light-infused and healing.
— Amy Cunningham, Director Fitting Tribute Funeral Services
SPIRITUAL * SECULAR * NONDENOMINATIONAL * MULTICULTURAL * INTERFAITH SERVICES
How shall the heart be reconciled to its feast of losses?
- Stanley Kunitz
Yes. I am available to perform a Last Rites Release Ritual at your home or at a hospital or hospice. These individualized ceremonies are designed to faciltate a peaceful transition for your loved one, and a comforting farewell for you.
Memorial Altar, Home Funeral Brooklyn, NY
Mama Donna's rituals transcend all cultures and beliefs, which is important for us as a non-sectarian cemetery whose gates are open to all. There has been a dramatic improvement in the work environment since she has been performing rituals here. Employees as well as the visitors participate in Mama Donna's ceremonies and are transformed by the experience. We come to the cemetery spiritually and emotionally depleted from the rigors of the secular world. Mama Donna's captivating presence, with her spellbinding stories, inspiring indigenous cultural traditions, and humorous adaptations sets us at ease. We depart Maple Grove feeling reinvigorated, spiritually nourished, and loved.
— Linda Mayo-Perez, President/CEO
Maple Grove Cemetery, NY
Wanted to let you know that Pacino passed on this evening in my arms. I am so glad he was blessed by you. Your blessings were his final rites before his flight from this beautiful Earth. He lived such a beautiful life and we are very grateful that he chose to spend his time here with us. Blessings to you.
— Claudine, Brooklyn, NY
Thanks, dear Donna, for making the ceremony for Judith's life so memorable. Your description of Judy's unique personality, her sense of humor, her wit, her compassion, her optimism, moved me and a lot of others to tears.Your talk about life and death, the cycles of nature, the Goddess, the need to relish everyday, to live in the present revitalized me. The ritual part, the burning of various plants, the sprinkling of a combination of waters from sacred sites all over the world was soothing. Everything you said and did in that beautiful white chapel designed by Louise Nevelson was so perfect that I will remember it forever. And, as I told you, I hereby engage you to do my memorial when I too go to the Goddess.
— Cristina, Palisades, NY
The service you conducted was extremely spiritual and uplifting. You incorporated beautiful poems and proverbs into Judith's memorial service in such a perfect and meaningful way. I know that all in attendance were moved and comforted. It was my pleasure to speak to you at the end of the service.
— Diane, Westchester, NY
Thank you for the private ceremony to celebrate my dad’s life, Mama Donna. My family had never done anything like that before. They really appreciated it and that made me feel good. Thanks so much.
— Kristin, Chatham, NJ
Families who work with Donna at the end of a loved one's life are so blessed. Her presence and her ceremonies turn a death into an event that is light-infused and healing.
— Amy Cunningham, Director Fitting Tribute Funeral Services
Thank you so much for the beautiful service you provided in honor of Michele and John. Everyone absolutely loved it... and you. I was very touched and moved by what you said, and in looking around the room, I could tell others were also. You truly are a gifted and giving soul.
— Michael, Sparta, NJ
Thanks again SO much for what you did, Donna. EVERYONE commented on how wonderful it was and how special, and that it was a beautiful way to remember both of my parents. I'm sure that my Mom and Dad would have totally approved of what we did and would have very much enjoyed the whole gathering, too. Thanks again so much for your contribution. It made the event truly special and memorable.
— Dr. Lorraine, France
I am so pleased with how the service went. You were really amazing. I loved the ceremony you created and the offerings, especially the corn. They were such perfect symbols of Jon’s spirituality. Many friends and family members commented that you did a great job of connecting everything for both the religious and nonreligious folk, which would be hard thing to do. I have been reading Care of the Soul, which talks about how the dark events of life can really shape and strengthen a person. I have been trying to understand this in the context of my life and Jon’s death. So your talk was especially appropriate and helpful. You inspired us all and I am very grateful.
— Carol, Brooklyn, NY
I never thought that a funeral could be so personal and meaningful. The ceremony that you created was completely respectful of Josine’s beliefs and aesthetics. You told the story of her life with such vivid compassion that it was almost as if she were there with us. Thank you for offering your uplifting and comforting wisdom to those of us who loved her.
— William and Cynthia, West Orange, NJ
I want to thank you for the ritual you performed for us at Susan's memorial. It was very moving and just perfect for what Susan would have wanted. I felt Susan's presence with us the whole time.
— Patty, New York, NY
Thank you for your wonderful, warm, nurturing, gritty, NYC presence at the memorial for my mom. It was a ceremony exactly as my mother would have wanted it. Your service did such a beautiful job of honoring Michele's spirit and doing it in a way that was particular to her quirkiness while being embracing to people from all faiths and we had many faiths represented. This is also how she would have wanted it.
— Elizabeth, New York, NY
Thank you for your kind words and your wonderful service. I’m also glad so many people were compelled to come forth with stories as well, so thank you for facilitating what was a stressful but very memorable time. It went wonderfully.
- Giancarlo, New York, NY
Mama Donna's Tea Garden & Healing Haven, PO Box 380403,
Exotic Brooklyn, NY 11238-0403,
CityShaman@aol.com, 718-857-1343
Copyright © 2018 Donna Henes. All Rights Reserved.