Celebration of Life
Funeral and Memorial Services

Paying tribute to your loved one with dignity, honor and respect

With Dr. Janine H. Burns and Associates

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Karla B.
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Thank you for your beautiful words at my husband’s memorial. We all think you are awesome!! You healed quite a few hearts with your words. I can’t thank you enough.
Anthony R.
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You created a truly caring and compassionate environment for our memorial service.
John M.
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We were truly touched by your compassion at our grandfather’s memorial. Your caring and soothing words genuinely consoled us.
Scott S.
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Your consoling nature made it a truly memorable and cathartic experience.
Michael H.Funeral Director
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They are consummate professionals. They bring compassionate hearts to their beautiful services.
Fran and Sal B.
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Your service was very uplifting and took away the gloom of the circumstance.
Jan C.
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I and my whole family appreciated your spiritual guidance through a very tough time. I learned how to look at things in a more positive way. I appreciate your conveyance of love, hope and gratitude for life. life.
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Caring and
Compassionate
Services

Caring and Compassionate Services

If you have landed on this page, you may be experiencing the loss of a loved one. We offer you our deepest condolences.

Planning a funeral in the midst of grieving can be quite overwhelming. We are committed to offering you support at this difficult time. We provide proven techniques to help you to be centered and calm during the grieving process.

Whether it is a memorial, funeral, internment, cremation, or burial at sea, we provide consolation and comfort so you have the strength needed to get through this time of transition. We will guide you through – every step of the way.

Tribute

Your beliefs and values are paramount in creating the service. We will collaborate with you to create a meaningful one that captures the life of your loved one including their hobbies, interests and accomplishments. We paint a picture with words so as to pay tribute to your loved one with dignity, honor and respect.

Celebration of Life

Typically, we offer our services to those who call themselves Spiritual rather than Religious. However, we are happy to customize the Celebration of Life service to your specifications and make it suitable to your spiritual or religious beliefs. Our Celebrants serve the Long Island, NY Community. We offer our services in a heartfelt, caring and soothing fashion that will truly honor the life of your loved one.

Funeral Services

Traditional funeral services can include: a time of Viewing and Visitation; the personalized Celebration of Life Service; a Committal (burial) Service; a Funeral Reception for family and friends to reminisce and celebrate. More recently funerals have Viewing and Visitation for a shorter period of time; usually for only one day. The Committal is held the next day followed by the Funeral Reception, which is often a luncheon.

Memorial Services

Memorial Services are typically for those who have chosen cremation. This can relieve some stress because all you need is one basic service. They are typically held one to six months from the date of transition. Waiting one month or more gives the mourners time to become more centered and balanced after the shock of the loss. Our services are provided at funeral homes and cemeteries: either graveside or at a columbarium niche.

Cremation

These days, more than 50% of people are choosing cremation. Some people choose it because they can take their urn and place it in a special memorial place in their home. Cremation may be more affordable since family members do not have to incur the expenses of attending a service on such short notice. Some people have the cremains (ashes) turned into a piece of jewelry or pressed into a pocket-stone; other options are available.

Ash Scattering Services

For those who have chosen cremation, we provide Celebration of Life Burials at Sea in collaboration with T.H. Cruises out of Huntington Harbor, Long Island, New York. Once the boat is sufficiently offshore, we hold the Celebration of Life Service. Then the ashes are scattered by the Celebrant or by a family member or friend.

MEMORIALS AND FUNERALS

Our Caring and Compassionate Staff

Dr. Janine H. Burns

Dr. Janine H. Burns’ compassion and gentleness make her memorial and funeral services comforting while putting all at ease. Her caring heart will support you at this most difficult time and her soothing manner will console and reassure you.
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Rev. Karen Gigante

Rev. Karen Gigante is an ordained, Interfaith Minister and Celebrant who brings comfort, compassion, and a loving heart to each individual circumstance. Rev. Karen is honored to be a part of your sacred occasion and it is her desire to bring peace, love and understanding at this difficult time.
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Rev. Saba Mchunguzi

Rev. Saba Mchunguzi was ordained as a New Thought minister in 1986, by The Johnnie Colemon Institute, and serves as the minister of Unity of Huntington on Long Island. He has an easygoing manner and is sensitive to the needs and concerns of those grieving the loss of a loved one.

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Excellence in Service

With over 40 years of combined experience, we are committed to excellence in offering personalized Celebration of Life Funeral and Memorial Services. We take the time to listen carefully during our consultation. We offer compassion, kindness and caring to ease your bereavement.

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Copyright © 2022 Guiding Light Foundation

Dr. Janine H. Burns is known to be well spoken, poised and heartfelt in her work.  Her compassion and gentleness make her memorial and funeral services comforting while putting all at ease.  Dr. Janine’s caring heart will support you at your most difficult time and her soothing manner will console and reassure you.  Her ceremonies will celebrate the life of the departed with dignity, honor and respect. Dr. Janine is an Interfaith Chaplain and Celebrant and a non-denominational Wedding Officiant who received her ordination in 1988.  She promotes the use of ceremonies to mark the milestones and transitions in the lives of individuals, families, and organizations. Over her years of service Dr. Janine realized there were many people who called themselves “spiritual, rather than religious,” who had nowhere to turn when they required spiritual services.  Because they didn’t belong to a particular house of worship or temple, they had difficulty obtaining any kind of spiritual services that would meet their particular need or support whether in times of crisis and transitions or on occasion of celebrating the milestones in their lives. Motivated to help these individuals, Dr. Janine returned to school and in 1997 received her Doctorate of Divinity degree from Emerson Theological Institute.  In 1999, she earned her Interfaith Ministry credential.  Then in 2001, she founded the Guiding Light Foundation and serves as their Director. In this capacity Dr. Janine presents personalized “Celebration of Life” memorial and funeral services.  She “loves to do weddings” and has performed marriage ceremonies for more than 900 couples on Long Island.  She is a certified Havening Techniques® Practitioner.  In addition, she is also a highly sought-after motivational speaker. Updated 20210324

Rev. Karen Gigante is an ordained, Interfaith Minister and Celebrant  who brings comfort, compassion, and a loving heart to each individual circumstance.  Rev. Karen is honored to be a part of your sacred occasion and it is her desire to bring peace, love and understanding at this difficult time.

As a caring listener, Rev. Karen is ready to assist you in creating a fitting tribute to your loved one that brings comfort and peace for the family and friends.  She is happy to take your direction to provide the service of your choosing whether it’s spiritual in nature, or religious or just about love – whatever is comfortable and fitting.

Rev. Karen also serves as a Staff Minister at the Center for Spiritual Living Long Island.  As the owner of Sacred Spaces she creates and implements interior designs that are both unique and spectacular. 

Rev. Saba Mchunguzi was ordained as a New Thought minister in 1986, by The Johnnie Colemon Institute, and serves as the minister of in Huntington Station, Long Island.  He has an easygoing manner and is sensitive to the needs and concerns of those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Rev. Saba recognizes the significant impact that the loss of a loved one has on family members and offers loving support, comfort and prayer.  He will provide a dignified and suitable service for your loved one.  He is kind and sympathetic and takes great care to deliver a suitable and dignified service that honors your loved one’s life and memory. Rev. Saba will assist you in whatever way possible in the many details of preparing for a memorial or funeral service to relieve you of any concerns.