SERVICE
Funerals
“A funeral, whilst being a time for remembrance and grief, depending on the circumstances, can also be a time for celebration and joyful memories.”
As I am an Independent celebrant, we’ll be free to include religious or multi-faith elements, such as hymns, prayers, or any rituals you would like. Alternatively,
you can have an entirely secular service that includes favourite songs and music, poetry and readings, or a mix of all of these.
We can then have an extended in-person meeting, during which I’ll be privileged to hear precious memories and stories about your loved one, so that I gain a sincere understanding of who they were, their unique personality and the significant people and events in their life.
Having listened carefully, I’ll then write a creative, warm and sensitive tribute to them, picking up themes that bring their memory to life and, I rather hope, a tear and a smile to everyone listening. It’s a wonderful feeling when, at the end of a service, attendees acknowledge how truly blessed they are to have had this person in their lives. (This can, of course, be amended until you are completely happy with it.)
If you have a family member or friend who is happy to write and present the main tribute, that’s always wonderful and favourite readings and poems add real poignancy too. We can do anything you like (time allowing!) and I’m here to talk through the options with you.
If you are thinking of a service at your local crematorium, they are often busy and tight for time. To avoid feeling rushed, it’s essential to carefully manage the length and content of your service within its allocated ‘slot’. Rest assured, you’ll be in safe hands with me when it comes to timing and the calm management of the service. I always go the extra mile to ensure things run as smoothly as possible.
To find out what happens next and what’s included, please see the Fees section on my website. I’d be honoured to be your celebrant at this significant time in your life.
If you think I might be the right celebrant for you, let’s have an initial chat to discuss your thoughts and see if we’re a good fit. It’s good to do this in person if we can, but we can also do it online or by phone.
Planning a funeral and saying goodbye to someone you love, is a profoundly significant
moment and can be one of the most challenging things we ever have to do in our lives.
But getting it right, by creating a ceremony that truly tells the story of our loved one in a sincere, respectful and loving way, can help us work through the complex set of emotions that come up when someone has died and can really help with the process of grieving.
These days, there are so many ways to say goodbye that it can be confusing and stressful. As your celebrant, I am here to help, advise, and support you in making important decisions about the ceremony and how you want to say goodbye. Your loved one may have expressed their own wishes about what they would like to happen, which is incredibly helpful. We should all think it through for ourselves and encourage other members of our family to do the same!
Whether you want a simple, no-fuss tribute to quietly scatter the ashes in a special location, or, increasingly popular, plant a tree in a designated woodland or perhaps to stage a more extravagant event where the coffin arrives in a horse-drawn carriage, the choice is yours. With kindness and compassion, I can talk you through the options to find the most appropriate way for you to say goodbye.