True or False:

Humans love stories?

It’s true.

And everyone has a story.

Humans love stories.

And we tell yours.

Creating memories that honor life’s milestones.

“…he treated us and our story with the upmost respect...”

  • What are the benefits of storytelling?

  • Stories entertain & inspire

  • Stories are 22x more likely to be remembered

  • Stories offer insights into universal life experiences

  • Stories create an immersive experience for listeners

  • Stories increase neural activity 5x

  • Stories connect everyone instantly

  • Stories provide a feeling of well-being, fun, & relaxation

  • Stories create a path toward acceptance & healing

  • Stories create order to lives making experiences familiar & comforting

  • Listening to a good story lights up the same part of the brain as does pleasure

  • Storytelling increases empathy, understanding, & positive emotions

  • Stories enhance listening skills & encourage active participation

  • Stories offer insights into traditions & values revealing differences & commonalities across cultures

  • Stories use more brain power (language processing, sensory, memory centers) making us more emotionally connected

  • Emotional stories trigger the release of oxytocin, a neurochemical that builds bonding, trust, empathy, & compassion

From the first conversation we had our nerves about hiring a total stranger to officiate our super intimate wedding were alleviated.

“…most talked about element of our wedding.”

Humor is used & folx love the stuff!

Our Services

Ceremonies

Tailored Wedding and Celebration of Life ceremonies that honor your unique story. Through heartfelt storytelling, humor, and gracious honesty, we design events that engage guests and create lasting memories.

Handiworks

When life presents challenges, such as grief, illness, or a recent move, even the smallest tasks can feel overwhelming. Handiworks of Service offers practical assistance and compassionate support so you can focus on what truly matters during challenging times.

Legacy Preservation

Humans Love Stories is on a mission to capture and share your life's story through audio services like the Life Review Letter, Your Legacy Your Words Life Story, and the Your Funeral Music podcast. These services provide a lasting legacy for loved ones to enjoy and find comfort.

Songs for the Dying

The Twin Cities Threshold Choir sings gentle blessings for the dying and their loved ones, offering comfort and peace through short, spiritual songs. Our Celebrant is a volunteer-member of Threshold Choir. This service is offered by Threshold Choir for free to families in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

It was gratifying to have your expertise and compassion.

How Ceremony Events Work

  • Meet Discuss the need & get a feel for Celebrant.

  • Agree Choose Humans Love Stories, sign agreement & pay retainer.

  • Share Celebrant listens & writes as stories and memories are shared.

  • Event Day — Celebrant arrives early, checks in, gathers guests & officiates service in a meaningful and memorable fashion.

“I so enjoyed talking over Sean’s life with you. It really helped me…”

Our Celebrant

Michael Venske (he/him) entered celebrancy over 16 years ago to officiate the wedding ceremony for longtime friends.

He uses creative/performance skills honed as an actor and writer to help un/non-church folx mark important occasions without holy hangups.

Venske is an Insight Certified Celebrant, member of Minnesota Death Collaborative, Threshold Choir member, and can be heard Sundays at 8PM on 94.1 FM WFNU as the host/producer of Your Funeral Music. #IWNDWYT

Join other music fans & share your funeral jams.

our mission

Create lasting memories that honor life's milestones.

How can we help?

We commemorate rites of passage with creative handiworks of service for all of life’s joys and sorrows.

Have an idea for a ceremony or handiwork of service not listed?

Please share your thoughts, we’d love to connect.

  • New Home Blessings

  • Graduations

  • Vow Renewals

  • Honoring Family Pets

  • Community Memorial Day Remembrances

  • Home/Apartment Clean Out After Death

  • Recreational bonfire builder/tender

Based in St. Paul, Minnesota

Our service area is 300 miles from home base. We will commute to events by vehicle, however, if your event is outside the service area we'll fly to meet the needs of your event.

(Seriously. In 2014 we flew from China to the USA and back again.)

Hours
Open Daily