Shirley
Kearney
Certified Celebrant
Services
As we celebrate the ultimate unions of our lives the power of ceremony cannot be overestimated. Through birth, we are united with life, through marriage we are united with love, and through death, we are reunited with all that is.
These sacred moments are potent and powerful and need to be held with confidence and care and the purest of intentions. Shirley Kearney is an extraordinary Celebrant who brings to the world of celebration a profound sense of ease and knowing as she continually empowers those she works with, to express these milestone moments ‘their way’.
Shirley’s path and passion naturally led her to this work over twenty years ago when she lovingly held the space for a close friend who was dying. During this time her friend was very open to sharing the intricate details of what she wished her celebration of life would hold. Shirley felt honoured and privileged to bring to life the essence of this dear friend in the moments and days after her death.
​
Unlike a funeral, a celebration of life is often a more joyful event that deeply honours the relationships the deceased person had with those important people still living in the earthly realm. Although the death of a loved one is a heartbreaking time, the passing can also be an opportunity for reflection, and re-living beautiful and meaningful memories.
​
Whether you are seeking support to help officiate a sacred service or a gentle ear to hear your whispered wishes, Shirley’s open heart and understanding will create connection and calm, allowing for the essence of your loved one to be felt and celebrated.
Shirley’s passion for celebration spirals beyond the end of life also honouring new life and new love. As a Certified Marriage Celebrant Shirley has extensive experience officiating weddings and uniting people in love.
Shirley even had the privilege of officiating her youngest son’s wedding ceremony in an intimate backyard wedding at the family home. The wedding was a huge success and a beautiful authentic union of two amazing souls destined to be together.
​
Since then, Shirley has officiated a wide variety of weddings all over Australia. Through her unique process and her warm and friendly nature, she connects with her couples creating a safe space for them to relax and begin to think about their big day. Leaning into their deeper needs and desires, she focuses on what is important to them, and then finds ways to weave these aspects into each ceremony.
For some of her couples, it has been the performance of the Haka, for others, it has been honouring nature's elements while blessing the rings. Another couple prewrote their vows and instead of exchanging them on the day they placed them inside a beautiful hand-crafted wooden capsule, and nailed it shut during the ceremony.
​
These precious words will live in the capsule waiting for that special moment in the future when it will be opened, and the vows will be given a voice later in their married life.
​
Being a Certified Celebrant also means that Shirley can officiate a renewal of marriage vows for those couples who are wishing to celebrate the incredible journey of their love or the beginning of a brand-new journey celebrating the birth of a child.
​
Baby naming ceremonies have become a beautiful and gentle way of gathering friends, family, and Godparents in honour of the child. These sweet and sacred events are the perfect alternative to traditional Christening. A unique and simple coming together of those who will lovingly hold this new life as it unfolds.
Testimonials
With core values of openness and connection and an equal acceptance of traditional and unconventional, Shirley Kearney supports us as we celebrate the ultimate unions of our lives.
Her passion and experience will ensure that your sacred event is a true expression of your heart’s desire.
- Matthew and Ashley Kearney
​
"Shirley was an amazing Celebrant for our wedding, She listened to our story and the style of our wedding and we sat down and designed a ceremony that suited our day perfectly. We blessed our rings with the four elements: fire earth, wind, and water. On the day Shirley delivered the ceremony in an engaging and fun way. It was a very personal wedding being in her own backyard and also marrying her youngest son. She was very professional and compassionate. Having Shirley as our celebrant was one of the best decisions we ever made. We would highly recommend Shirley as a Wedding Celebrant..."
​
