The Presence Effect™
The Presence Effect™ explores a simple question: why do some funeral ceremonies leave a lasting impression while others quickly fade from memory? Drawing on established principles from psychology, communication theory, storytelling, and bereavement practice, it examines how words, stories, imagery, and emotion combine to create experiences that people remember long after the service has ended.
Why do some funeral ceremonies stay with us for years, while others fade from memory within days? Why do people sometimes leave a service saying, “It felt as though she was in the room,” or “For a moment, he felt present again”?
The Presence Effect™ explores the psychology of remembrance and the role that story, imagery, memory and reflection play in helping us reconnect with the people we have lost.
Drawing upon established principles from psychology, communication theory and storytelling, this paper examines why some tributes are merely heard, while others are genuinely experienced. Because the most meaningful funerals do more than tell us about a life. They help us remember it.
"The most powerful tributes are not heard. They are experienced."
About the Author
Steve Game-Blackmoor is an award-winning funeral celebrant, bereavement practitioner, and public speaker with more than 27 years’ experience in professional communication.
As founder of Last Rites Ltd, he works with families and funeral directors across the Midlands to create funeral ceremonies that are personal, meaningful, and unmistakably reflective of the person being remembered.
A theological graduate, life skills coach, Senior Member of the ACCPH, Fellow of the Society of Bereavement Practitioners, and Fellow of the Faculty of Funeral Celebrants, Steve has twice been recognised as Funeral Celebrant of the Year and is the recipient of the Unique Ceremony Award.
The Presence Effect™ reflects his interest in the relationship between storytelling, memory, and remembrance, exploring why some funeral ceremonies remain with us long after they have ended.