"We have a human need to recognize and mark transitions and to help people through them," the Rev. Seddon said.
In recent years, the list of ritualized events has grown in some religious traditions. Faith leaders and the people in their pews are getting creative and finding faithful ways to mark significant moments like retirement, a baby's first haircut or someone's release from prison.
New rituals "can validate a person's experience and also show how valued they are as a member of their community," said Rabbi Roni Handler, executive editor of Ritualwell, an online collection of ritual-related resources for Jews.
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