All the essential advice, information and inspiration you’ll need

If I had to choose one course that everyone should do as early as possible… it’s this one. Because the more information you have about what makes a meaningful funeral ceremony and how to create one – BEFORE you lose someone you love – the better equipped you will be to deal with things. On both an emotional and practical level.

Based on my extensive experiences of creating and leading a wide range of funerals, and the feedback I had from families afterwards, I’ll be sharing with you all the essential elements of a truly personal funeral ceremony. From types of funeral and appropriate venues, to writing life stories, reading tributes, choosing music and poems, visual tributes, options for gathering after the ceremony... and much more!

One Day Workshop £45

Capturing your unique life story

Celebrate Your Life takes you on a positive and uplifting journey through your colourful years and to the heart of who you are. The aim is not only to help you put together your own life story, but in doing so you’ll also gain a greater appreciation of your uniqueness, your achievements, your precious place in the world and the value you give to the lives of others. As well as having something meaningful to pass on to your loved ones, you’ll also have a greater understanding of how to live the rest of your life to its fullest and most memorable.

One Day Workshop £45

How to write and deliver a heart-felt tribute

The thought of writing a tribute to a loved one who has died can be utterly daunting. How on earth do you reflect all the events, achievements, experiences, emotions, characteristics and qualities of a person and their life in just a few minutes? How can you reflect everything they meant to you and just how much they will be missed? And even more daunting can be the prospect of standing in front of people and reading it aloud on the day of the funeral.

I’ve written and read hundreds and hundreds of tributes – for all ages and backgrounds. And like the people whose lives we were honouring, no two tributes were ever the same. I guide you through the process of writing a meaningful, memorable, unique tribute. And give you the confidence you need to share it aloud when the time comes.

Half Day Workshop £25

Creating your own truly personal life celebration

What sort of commemoration do you want for the colourful life you’ve led and the extraordinary person you’ve been? Remember Me shows you how to create your very own farewell ceremony that is as authentic and meaningful to you as it will be for the family and friends you leave behind. Far from tempting fate, it’s without doubt one of the most positive things you can do for yourself and your loved-ones, culminating in your own set of farewell wishes, and your hopes for the legacy you want to leave behind.

One Day Workshop £45

Compassion and kindness following the death of a loved one

How can we be kinder to ourselves – and to others – when the death of those we love leave us feeling adrift and heartbroken?

This warm and compassionate workshop looks at various positive ways we can help ourselves, and those around us, deal with loss. From practical advice on how to face the day and what to say to bereaved people we meet, to how we view grief itself and the meaningful place it holds in our lives. As with all my workshops, there are opportunities to share experiences. And to learn how even the most difficult, distressing times of our lives – losing the people we love – can ultimately give us new, more positive ways of seeing the world and what we choose to do with our lives as we take their memory forward with us.

Half Day Workshop £25

Words of comfort, consolation and courage

Whether they are read during funeral services, or in private moments by those who grieve, poems can mirror our feelings of loss, reflect the personality of those no longer with us, and give us hope for a future without them. In the same way, quotes can be little parcels of wordy nourishment – food for the heart, mind and soul. The right quote at the right moment can lift our spirits, spur us on, or put a comforting arm around us.

We’ll spend time looking at how and when these emotive words can be used to best effect, whether during a funeral ceremony or in the quiet of our own homes. I’ll share a selection of some of the most popular poems, prose and quotes I used during my time as a celebrant, and give you the opportunity to share some of your own choices.

Half Day Workshop £25

Why you are more valuable than you know…

We are all uniquely valuable – every single one of us – and it’s a value that transcends money, status and stuff. We add value to the lives of others, share our value with the world, and, of course, we’re valuable to ourselves. But it’s easy to lose touch with that beautiful fact. Especially if the unexpected or the challenging makes an unwelcome appearance in our lives – when we step out of our comfort zone, are made to feel less than we are, or try to compare ourselves to others.

Now, more than ever, we need to remind ourselves that we each have value – we matter and we make a difference in our own way. And that sense of self-worth isn’t something you have to strive for – you don’t have to qualify for it, change direction or become something new. It’s already part of who you are and the life you’re living. So if you’re ready to re-engage with your valuable self and want a timely reminder of what makes you and your life so uniquely meaningful, this is for you!

Half Day Workshop £25

Where Collaborative Workshop meets Creative Get-Together!

I’ve always enjoyed and appreciated arts, crafts and creativity – both at work and in my own life. And my time as a Funeral Celebrant certainly revealed all sorts of ways we can be creative when it comes to sharing life stories, displaying memories, and celebrating loved ones.

I’m not a craft expert or tutor… but I do have ideas for creative projects relating to sharing our life stories, displaying keepsakes and creating personalised ceremonies. So if you’re someone who enjoys making things – whatever your level of experience – I’m keen to provide the time and space where we can all get together, share creative ideas and stories. And work on individual crafting projects reflecting who we are, or celebrating the lives of people we love. If the joy of creativity sparks interest for you, please get in touch!

It’s the words and wisdom that matter…

If you’ve had a professional, legal will drawn up (or plan to at some point) you’ll be informing your loved-ones what’s happening to your money, your home, your belongings… But what about passing on something a little more personal? What about messages, thoughts, advice, hopes and insights for the family and friends you leave behind?

From working with hundreds of bereaved families I can tell you that what really matters to people after someone they love has died, are the things that special person said, or knew, or felt... Knowing what mattered to them and how their memory can be kept alive. So here’s how to share some words of wisdom, love, encouragement, inspiration, humour… That will mean more than all the savings and silver put together.

Half Day Workshop £25

The most powerful aspect of any ceremony

Music has the power to move us… and never more so than at a funeral ceremony, where song choices have a strong, emotional impact on people, not just in terms of tearfulness but also the ability to create feelings of joy, comfort, nostalgia. Music can reflect a person’s character, interests or talents, as well as represent the feelings of their family and friends who have come to say goodbye for the last time.

Music really sets the tone for the ceremony, especially as it’s the first thing people hear as they enter, and it will make all the difference to how they feel when the ceremony ends and they return to their own lives.  So here is my uplifting guide to choosing music for funeral ceremonies – how to make choices, what to include, where to place it, emotional impact and how to listen.

Half Day Workshop £25

COMING SOON!

Are you new to the world of creating and delivering funeral ceremonies? Perhaps you are tentatively thinking about becoming a celebrant and want to know more before you take the plunge? Or are you just curious to know more about the role of Funeral Celebrants and the overwhelmingly positive difference they can make to the bereaved?

This in-depth, refreshingly honest, Insider’s Guide is for every new, aspiring celebrant who has a genuine, heart-felt desire to create meaningful funeral ceremonies that really make a difference. It’s for those who want to go beyond competent, exceeding the expectations of families looking for professional, sensitive support. And it’s been created by an established, experienced celebrant with a reputation for high quality services... me! Please click below to find out more…

Fancy a cuppa and a chat about all things mortal and meaningful?

This is my take on the ‘death cafe’ culture that has proved popular across the UK in recent years, including, for a time, in Kirkcudbright. An opportunity for us to get-together over a cuppa and open up a much-needed discussion about mortality – what it means to us, to the people we know and love, and the world at large.

From farewells and funerals, to how we want to be remembered and the legacy we leave behind, it’s all up for discussion. And you can ask me anything at all about my experiences as a Funeral Celebrant – the work, the families, the impact it had on me. I’m also happy to bust a few myths about everything from re-used coffins to mixed up ashes!

If you want to come along and share in a friendly, honest, life-affirming chat about the most significant event in all our lives,I’d love to hear from you!