Holly Lyon-Hawk
Educator • Ceremonial Care Specialist • Holistic Funeral Director • IISCC
International institute for Supported Ceremonial Care
Our Mission
In an age where direct cremation is rapidly increasing and many families have little or no contact with the person they love after death, we believe that gentle, supported acts of care can restore connection, reduce trauma and help grief unfold more naturally.
A research, education and standards body dedicated to restoring meaningful human participation in the care of the dead.
Professional Certificate in Supported Ceremonial Care
Coming Spring 2027
A pioneering international programme for funeral directors, end-of-life doulas, hospice staff, care home staff and other professionals who believe that the care of the body after death can be a profound act of love, healing and human connection and that restoring meaningful participation after death may play an important role in supporting healthy grieving in an increasingly detached world.
Who is this for?
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Funeral Directors
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End-of-Life Doulas & Soul Midwives
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Hospice & Palliative Care Staff
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Care Home Professionals
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Celebrants
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Bereavement Practitioners
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Veterinary Nurses & Pet End-of-Life Doulas
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Anyone professionally supporting families after a death
Fellowship of the Institute
The Institute is committed to the ongoing development of Supported Ceremonial Care through research, reflection and the shared wisdom of practitioners working in the field.
As the community grows, a small number of graduates may be invited to become Fellows of the Institute in recognition of their contribution, professional practice and commitment to the values of compassionate, family-centred care.
Fellows may have the opportunity to contribute to:
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Research and case studies.
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The continuing development of the curriculum.
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Professional discussion and peer support.
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International collaboration and community building.
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The future evolution of Supported Ceremonial Care.
Fellowship is offered by invitation and is not based solely on academic achievement, but on demonstrated compassion, integrity, reflective practice and a genuine commitment to supporting others through one of life's most profound transitions
The future of this work will not be shaped by one individual, but by a community of practitioners committed to restoring ritual, connection and human presence at the end of life
Restoring Ritual at the End of Life: Investigating the Psychological and Cultural Impact of Supported Ceremonial Care of the Body in the Era of Direct Cremation.
We Have Become Strangers to Death
For thousands of years, caring for the body after death was one of humanity's oldest acts of love.
Families washed.
Families dressed.
Families sat in silence.
Families wept.
Families prayed.
Families carried their dead together.
Today, many people experience death through closed doors, hurried systems and brief final encounters.
Increasingly, the person we love simply disappears from our care.
In becoming 'protected' from death, we may also have become disconnected from one of life's most profound transitions.
Supported Ceremonial Care seeks to gently restore that connection.
With well over a decade of experience supporting hundreds of individuals and families through the sacred practice of Supported Ceremonial Care of the Body, I have witnessed first-hand the profound difference this final act of love can make.
Time and again, I have seen how the gentle, intentional tending of the body after death helps to soften fear, strengthen connection, and support the natural process of grief. In a culture where direct cremation is becoming increasingly common, I believe this intimate and deeply human practice is more important than ever.
It offers family and friends the opportunity to honour the body that carried the life, the personality, the love, the memories, and - for many - the soul or consciousness of the person they cherish. It creates a precious space where the reality of death can be met gently, allowing hearts and minds to slowly adjust to what has happened rather than being rushed through it.
Having a professionally trained practitioner to accompany families through this experience is, I believe, fundamental. Their role is not simply practical; they become a calm and compassionate guide, gently holding the space and bearing witness alongside those who are grieving.
As the work of trauma specialist Peter Levine and others has demonstrated, our nervous systems often require the presence of a safe and regulated other before they can begin to settle.
Within that sense of safety, grief and trauma can start to be processed naturally, rather than becoming something carried silently for years to come.
It is this understanding that led to the creation of the International Institute of Supported Ceremonial Care.
Our vision is ambitious but simple: to see this beautiful practice become a recognised and valued part of end-of-life care across the world. We hope to train thousands of professionals, enabling care homes, hospices, hospitals, funeral services and end-of-life practitioners to routinely offer families the opportunity to participate in the care of their loved one after death, ensuring that the quality of care extends beyond the moment life ends.
Launching internationally in 2027, our comprehensive training programme will equip practitioners with the knowledge, practical skills, confidence and sensitivity needed to safely facilitate Supported Ceremonial Care of the Body within their own professional settings.
Certified by the International Institute of Supported Ceremonial Care and independently reviewed by its Professional Advisory Council, the programme is being developed to the highest possible standards, giving both practitioners and the families they serve confidence that this sacred work is being carried out with professionalism, compassion, integrity and deep respect for the person who has died.
Certified by The Institute for Supported Ceremonial Care and
independently reviewed by its Professional Advisory Council