‘Life-Led’ FUNERAL ceremonies
“A unique ceremony for a unique life…”
Introduction
When you lose someone you love, and you have to say goodbye for the very last time, you want that occasion to be as special and unique as they were. You want to picture them through the words that are spoken, feel them through the music that is played, and take comfort in the fact that their life, and what that life meant to you, will be expressed in a true and meaningful way.
As an experienced Funeral Celebrant, I created and conducted tailor-made ceremonies that truly captured the essence of the person who had died – whatever their age, circumstances, beliefs or background – and reflected the feelings of those who knew and loved them best. By meeting the family in the comfort of theirr own home, I sensitively talked through their options and choices, creating with them a unique ceremony for a unique life.
In addition to funeral ceremonies I also did memorial services and interment or scattering of ashes. I also helped the terminally ill create their own funeral ceremony as they faced the end of life, and gave help and advice to those who simply wished to plan ahead.
Every life matters, every death matters… And it mattered to me that everyone was able to say goodbye to someone they love in a way that was right for them.
Truly personal funeral ceremonies
We are all wonderfully unique and so are the precious lives we live. Those lives matter to us, to our family and friends, to the world we make our mark on... And when those lives draw to a close, our uniqueness and our value to others should come alive in a final, meaningful reminder of the colourful years we’ve experienced and the extraordinary people we have been.
For that reason, many of us now expect funeral services to include more options than simply a choice between religious or non-religious. My funeral ceremonies focused on the unique life of the person who died as well as the wishes and feelings of those who were saying goodbye. Venues for these tailor-made funerals and memorial services included crematoriums, cemeteries, natural burial sites, village halls, function rooms – even homes and gardens.
This individual approach to creating funerals helped to reflect the colourful, diverse lives and personalities of hundreds of different people, while still maintaining a sense of dignity and respect. Every funeral was different to the one that went before, and the one that came after. If we are all wonderfully different – why have the same funeral?
About Me
Before becoming a Celebrant I was a Funeral Arranger for a local firm of Funeral Directors, and was also an experienced Bereavement Support Worker, having trained with Cruse – the UK’s leading charity for bereaved people. I entered the funeral profession via journalism, where, as a qualified journalist and experienced editor, I spent 15 years on national magazines. So, as well as creative writing, I have excellent listening and organisational skills, pay great attention to detail and accuracy, and never miss a deadline – all essential in the work of a Celebrant. And it’s work I loved – helping people during what is likely to be the most distressing time of their lives was fulfilling, inspiring and a privilege.
I led close to 2,000 life celebration ceremonies, covering what was then my home county of Cambridgeshire, as well as Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, establishing a reputation for delivering quality, professional and, above all, meaningful ceremonies.
“The whole service was a masterpiece of planning, timing and, above all, feeling. Our friends and family felt so much part of it. And our son would have loved it. You did him proud. It takes a special kind of person to do what you do. I don’t think you could have got it more perfect.”
My work encompassed all ages and circumstances - from the elderly who passed away peacefully, to those whose lives were interrupted by illness or accidents. And sometimes, sadly, for those so young their lives never really started at all. I also planned funeral ceremonies with the terminally ill, ensuring their wishes were carried out when the time came.
I believed – a still believe – everyone deserves a funeral ceremony that is unique to them, tells their own personal story, and provides comfort and meaning to those left behind. Death is a fact of life for every single one of us – the most significant fact of life – but also the hardest to come to terms with. So I treated all my families with warmth, care and sensitivity, and did my best to deliver ceremonies which exceed their expectations. This is reflected in their feedback to me.
“Your words helped restore a little peace and comfort back into our lives.”
– FAMILY FEEDBACK
My role as a funeral celebrant
I created and conducted tailor-made ceremonies that were both meaningful and memorable, in close consultation with each family, as well as their chosen funeral director. My all-inclusive fee covered the following…
Visit
After each family, or their chosen funeral director, contacted me, I arranged to visit them at their home, or another mutually convenient location. We discussed the style of funeral service they wanted for their loved one, and I learnt more about about them. We talked about their life, their character and personality, and what they meant to the people they knew and loved. We also discussed options for music, readings or poems, whether anyone else would like to speak on the day, and I offered plenty of opportunity for families to share any other thoughts or ideas for what they would like to happen during the ceremony. This included the display of photographs, placing special flowers on the coffin, having live music, or wanting everyone to wear colourful clothes instead of black.
Ceremony creation
After our meeting I created the ceremony, piecing all the content together, writing welcome and closing words, the committal, inserting poems and music, personal tributes and, if required, writing the main tribute, or life story. I also sent the family a copy of the tribute before the day of the funeral, ensuring they were happy with it and all the details correct.
Organisation
I worked closely with each chosen funeral director and liaised with any relevant staff at a chosen venue in the lead up to the funeral.
On the day
On the day of the funeral itself, I conducted the ceremony and supported each family throughout the event.
Other services
In addition to funeral ceremonies I offered a range of other services…
Memorial ceremonies
I composed and conducted memorial ceremonies at a range of venues, including function rooms, village halls, private homes and gardens. Some ceremonies took place before or after the committal ceremony held at a crematorium or burial ground, while others took place separately at a later date.
Interment or scattering of ashes
I was often asked to carry out interment or scattering of ashes ceremonies for someone whose service I had already led, as well as joint interments or scatterings for spouses, partners or family members.
Funeral planning for the terminally ill
I arranged funeral ceremonies with people who were facing the end of life and wanted very much to express their wishes and organise their final farewell. It was an incredibly brave but important step on their part, and their contribution created the most meaningful, memorable ceremonies for all concerned. For all those facing these courageous decisions, it was a privilege to meet them and help carry out their final wishes.
what families saID about mE…
Read some of the feedback from families I’ve had the privilege of working with and the pleasure of knowing during the last 15 years.