Celebrate life’s special moments with Cyprus Celebrant Rosie Anstey.
As a celebrant in Cyprus I mark significant events in people’s lives. Sometimes the only the only time we think about having a ceremony is a birth, marriage or death. We are used to attending baptisms, naming ceremonies, weddings and funerals but its look at the other ways we can mark significant events. Some are happy, some sad but all ceremonies are special to those involved. Check out my other website for videos, and the latest news about ceremonies and celebrations. www.celebrantrosieanstey.com
Cyprus Celebrant Rosie Anstey works with clients throughout their lives. Ceremonies are a way of us expressing our feelings and bringing people together, in order to recognise and share in the event. They can be happy, sad, fun, inclusive and memorable.
Before the arrival – hold a baby shower or gender reveal.
Originally an American custom baby showers or gender reveal parties have become increasingly popular over the years all over the world. You might wonder why you would have a celebrant lead your event but what better person to do it. Organised, and used to public speaking your baby shower or gender reveal event will be carefully scripted and choreographed. It will be an event to celebrate the upcoming arrival of your baby at the same time as recognising those close to you, who you have chosen to support you. I work with people from all backgrounds and i build ‘Special Elements’ into your event to make them memorable engaging and personal.
Naming Ceremonies.
Maybe you are religious in which case you may choose to have a formal baptism or naming ceremony within your church, temple, or place of worship. These days more people want to mark a naming ceremony by having a celebrant led ceremony. This can be religious or non religious and is a way of blending cultures and traditions and involving family and friends in the occasion. The best part is that you can hold this ceremony virtually anywhere and at a time to suit you.
We live in an ever changing world and our attitudes have changed over the years. Many people have a more modern outlook and want their naming ceremony to reflect this. My aim is to offer my clients a unique custom written ceremony in line with their beliefs and customs and one that perfectly reflects their wishes.
You might think that naming ceremonies are just for babies and children. In the past this may have been true. However in the modern world people have the choice to change their names and genders. What better way to publicly acknowledge this than having a ceremony. This is an opportunity to invite your family and friends to share in your joy and be part of your day.
Adoption Ceremony
When a child comes into our lives and we legally adopt them this is a significant milestone for everyone involved. Adoption is a legal process but what about having a ceremony where family, friends and those you love can come and be involved in this remarkable day. Circumstances will differ but let us mark this day with a joyful celebration.
These days we have many blended families. Children from previous relationships who now become part of another family. I love to see children’s faces when they are recognised, and accepted into the new family unit. They feel validated, important and safe, and somehow having a ceremony helps them feel they belong.
I often incorporate a hand fasting into the ceremony and make custom cords which are a keepsake and reminder of the day. I also offer bespoke certificates which are a permanent reminder of the event. There are so any ways we can make this day special and memorable for everyone involved.
Hand Fasting Ceremonies.
A hand fasting is an ancient tradition that has become increasingly popular in modern times. I incorporate them into many of my ceremonies because it is a beautiful way of joining people. It can be 2 people or more, that’s up to you.
I frequently use hand fasting in wedding, vow renewal, adoption, and naming ceremonies. Please take a look at www.cypruscelebrant.com ‘Special elements’ section where I tell you more about the history of hand fasting and the types of cords and occasions. If you are looking for a celebrant in Cyprus who loves performing hand fasting ceremonies then contact me.
Proposals & Engagements
It is understandable that many people get very nervous about proposals but what better way than having a ceremony with a celebrant in Cyprus. A surprise proposal ceremony clears up the issue of who to tell first, with all your nearest and dearest there to officially hear the announcement at the same time. Hosting a proposal ceremony is a great way for family and friends to witness the event without actually being involved in the proposal.
What is the difference between engagement and proposal?
The two terms engagement and proposal have a similar meaning. They describe the promise to enter into marriage. However, the term marriage proposal is often referred to as the event of asking a partner to make the commitment to marry. An engagement describes the time leading up to the wedding
However in some cultures the engagement ceremony is very significant. I will Gove you an example : I am based in Cyprus in the Mediterranean and an engagement ceremony here is really important. Days of the week are symbolic in Cyprus wedding traditions, and so an engagement would typically be held on a Sunday, just as a wedding would. During the party, the couple exchange rings and handkerchiefs, while their parents agree on their corresponding tasks preceding the wedding. I encourage you to look at the traditions for the part of the world you live in, and decide if you want to follow tradition or not.
Remember you do not have to stick with tradition. You can hold your proposal anywhere you like. Think of a place that is significant to you, somewhere memorable that you will hold in your hearts for ever.
There are some things to consider though before organising a proposal.
Make sure you are both on the same page.
Speak to their parents or significant members of their family and get the ok.
Buy the ring and keep it safely hidden.
Be personal and write your proposal down so that you now what you are going to say.
Make sure you have a photographer on standby to capture the event.
Take your time, plan the time and place and be organised. This will prove less stressful in the log run.
Weddings | Blessings | Civil Partnerships | Commitment Ceremonies | Vow Renewal
I love a wedding ! What a fantastic way to share in the joy and love of a couple. From the very first contact until the time I make the announcement I am involved. I get to know my couples really well. How else can I tell their love story, and make sure I have perfectly tailored their ceremony to reflect who they are and what this day means to them.
Whether it be a wedding, blessing, civil partnership, commitment ceremony or Vow renewal – it can traditional, romantic, quirky, or themed day. I work with my couples to make their dreams a reality. I love it when we involve friends and family in the day and make the ceremony engaging and memorable for everyone.
Funerals | Celebration of Life
Death is something most of us don’t even want to think about let alone discuss. However it will come to us all, we can’t avoid it. Organising a funeral can be overwhelming for anyone, especially when it is for someone you loved.
It is a privilege to be asked to lead a funeral ceremony. I will do my very best to honour the person who has passed away at the same time as support the family. I want to understand who the person was, their passions and loves, and their life story. Everyone has a story, and when I lead a funeral ceremony I tell their story. Sometimes it is sad, sometimes happy, often interspersed with humour, love and life’s achievements, but above all it is personal and respectful.
How do you want the funeral to feel?
Not all funerals have to be funereal – but some are. It depends on circumstances and the person who has passed away. I work with you to deliver a ceremony befitting of your loved one that truly honours them – just the way you want it.
Some people prefer to celebrate the life of their loved one and have a positive uplifting ceremony. We are all different and so I work with you to create the ceremony you would like.
I will create a ceremony that is befitting of your loved one, reflect who they were, their beliefs and character. I write unique, memorable ceremonies because we are all unique. The ceremony can be simple, reflective with few words and lots of music, or you may want friends and family to read tributes, poems or even read the eulogy. There is no template. I meet with my clients, we talk, I listen, and understand what they would like. I am on hand to offer guidance, support and a listening ear.
Funeral timing in Cyprus
Even though I am based in Cyprus in the Mediterranean I perform ceremonies internationally. Cyprus does not currently have any facilities for cremation therefore a funeral is a burial. Like most hot countries funerals happen very quickly – usually within 3-5 days.
Please look at my website www.cypruscelebrant.com for practical advise and help on how to organise a funeral. I have a BLOG on this site which covers many topics including organising a funeral, completing legal forms etc. As a celebrant in Cyprus nearly all funerals I perform are in the early morning before it becomes too hot.
Memorial Services
These days it is not always possible for all those who would like to attend your actual funeral ceremony. Having a memorial service is a beautiful way to honour your loved one at a later date. It can be held in a time and place of your choosing and can be formal or informal. A memorial service can contain much of the same structure as a funeral although the deceased’s body is not present at the service.
Traditionally, a memorial service is designed to honor and pay tribute to a loved one’s life. A memorial service can be arranged by anyone, but usually close family members or friends arrange the service. Memorial services may take place anywhere it does not need to be a place of worship – although it can be. As a celebrant in Cyprus I perform these ceremonies at, beaches, restaurants, golf courses, sports clubs, favourite places, in fact any location significant to the person who has passed away.
Attending a funeral or memorial service shows support for the surviving family members, and offers you the opportunity to remember the person who died.
Living Funerals – Pre funerals
What is a living funeral ?
As a celebrant in Cyprus I perform living funerals with loved ones in attendance which often appeals to people who are older or terminally ill.
It gives them with a rare opportunity to take control of their own funeral arrangements. They can play an active role within the celebration of their own life.
Living funerals offer the chance to break with tradition and have an uplifting celebration. Imagine: all your friends and family have gathered together to celebrate your life. They share heartfelt tributes about how much you’ve meant to them.
The Living Funeral is a goodbye.
A life celebration held before death, celebrating somebody’s life before they have died. What is lovely about this ceremony is that it is a shared exchange of memories, not just a celebration of a life. It is also the celebration of our friendships and family relationships. We often hear the phrase, “I wish I had told them….” A living funeral is the perfect opportunity to express our love to each other and say all the things that we want to say.
Living funerals, are for people who want to say goodbye to their friends and families on their own terms and to celebrate their life while they are still alive. With a ceremony led by a celebrant in Cyprus like Rosie Anstey, your living funeral will have someone who truly understands the person, the circumstances and can lead you all in celebrating life, love and loss.
Retirement Ceremonies & Memorable Events
It has been a custom for many years to have a retirement party with your work colleagues , but think about involving your friends and family. They have been there to support you through life’s ups and downs too.
These days we don’t always stay in the same job or profession all our working life. So what better way than to have a retirement ceremony and bring the significant people in your life together to celebrate. Maybe you would like to invite friends from school or university too – after all they knew you at the start of the journey. Were you “The one who was likely to succeed” at school ?
As a celebrant in Cyprus, I perform ceremonies for all memorable events in life. A retirement event tells the story of your working life. It can be interspersed with memories from your friends, family and colleagues. We celebrate your success and achievements and recognise the significant events in your working life.
Every ceremony I write, without exception is custom and personal. Written for you, about you. It will contain all the elements you want – and none of the things you don’t whilst being engaging and entertaining for your guests.
Memorable Events.
What do you consider to be a memorable event? I am asked to attend and perform ceremonies for a variety of events. If you would like to mark any event in your life then do contact me at www.cypruscelebrant.com