In Celebration of Sonder

Sonder is the term used to describe the realisation that everyone is living a life just as vivid and complex as our own.

As a eulogy writer, this concept is at the heart of my work, guiding every word. Each life I honour is one of hidden depths, unspoken struggles and fleeting joys. A stunning constellation of tiny moments. My role allows me to step into that vastness, to glimpse the unique nature of each soul.

The privilege of looking beyond the surface allows me to witness each person existing in the centre of their own universe. An intricate mosaic of relationships, memories and meaning. The stories I tell are so much more than reflections—they're windows into the boundless inner worlds that each of us carry, unseen but felt deeply.

The opportunity to bear witness to these vast inner landscapes lies in the little details that shape each life: a morning ritual, a laugh that filled a room, a favourite book, a well worn joke. It's the minutiae of the greater whole that ripples outwards. What appears ordinary is often extraordinary in its depth, complexity and impact.

To experience sonder is to grasp the beautiful paradox of existence—that while we live focused within the boundaries of our own experiences, each person around us is doing the same, creating their own connections, deeply invested in their own quest for meaning.

In the spaces between words, we share commonalities that shape our humanity. One life intersects with countless others, leaving imprints that will exist long after we’re gone.

Eulogies memorialise, but they’re also a celebration of life in all its intricate, fragile, eternal beauty. A link between the past and present, connecting the living to those we’ve lost. They’re declarations of love and expressions of remembrance, illuminating the experiences of those who have gone before us.

I’ve come to realise that real life isn’t lived through grand gestures or achievements. The essence of who we are exists in the beauty of the everyday. Sonder is the awareness that each life—no matter how short or quiet—is a world unto itself, worthy of being honoured, remembered and celebrated.