My Services to you

Funerals are often the last service we perform for a loved one, and as such we want it to be a truly meaningful occasion.The ceremony deserves to be remembered as an occasion that honours that person’s life with dignity, respect and love. It is also often appropriate to celebrate the life that has been lived.

Planning such an event though can be daunting. Working to relatively short time scales, coordinating and consulting between family members at the same time as trying to process your own grief can be challenging.

At such a time it is all too easy to accept the first suggestion that may be made, only to wish later that you had done things differently, more personally and individually.

Grief is personal; no two people experience it in the exact same way. With this in mind, I approach each funeral as unique and individual. Through meeting with you and your family I listen to your wishes, and hear your stories and memories to gain a sense of the person who has died. I will then work alongside you, with great care to compose the ceremony, compiled from the information you have given me .

This way, we can ensure the funeral is as unique as the individual, reflecting their character and nature, sensitively acknowledging (if appropriate) any challenges encountered during their lives and most importantly celebrating the life lived.

My role is to create a beautiful and special alternative to a traditional funeral.

I take real pride in my work, and feel hugely privileged to be invited into people’s lives at such a significant time.

How does it work ?

Once you have asked me to conduct a ceremony on your behalf I will arrange a convenient time and place to meet and discuss your wishes.

At the meeting we will talk about the ceremony, any readings or music that are relevant and meaningful and if any family or friends wish to contribute. We can include any personal rituals or symbolic elements that have meaning to you, such as lighting candles, writing notes or placing single flowers on the coffin during a reflective piece of music.

As we chat fond memories or funny and poignant stories are often remembered and these can be woven into the ceremony. Tears and laughter are both appropriate at funerals.

We can also consider any religious or spiritual content that may be appropriate such as the inclusion of a favourite hymn, prayer or blessing.

A good funeral is likely to appeal the heart, the head and the senses. There are many ways to do this, music, readings, poetry, prayers to name but a few. The ceremony can be traditional or innovative, formal or informal, what ever is most appropriate.

I will work closely with the funeral director and crematorium or burial ground staff ensuring that the ceremony proceeds according to your wishes.

If you are arranging a funeral you can contact me directly, and when you have chosen a funeral director give them my details. Alternatively, after choosing a funeral director tell them you would like me to officiate, and they will contact me. Please feel free to contact me without obligation.

Why an Independent Celebrant ?

My starting point are the individual needs, wants, wishes and desires of each family.

I have no religious affiliation and am not a humanist celebrant so almost anything can be included in the ceremony.

I am able to offer a unique, personal and meaningful ceremony tailored to your requirements.

For some a non-religious service without any mention of religion or thoughts of afterlife, based around a person’s humanist values is appropriate. Your loved one may have been an atheist or agnostic, for instance. At the same time guests who attend the funeral may have faith, in which case it may be appropriate to discuss how we can honour both perspectives.

However, for others a semi religious funeral is more appropriate. Although many people in today’s society don’t associate with ‘church’ for one reason or another they may still feel a sense of spirituality or faith. I will create a personalised service which honours how they felt. Hymns, blessings, prayers, readings and poetry can be included in the ceremony.

Where can the ceremony be held ?

Most funerals still take place in crematorium but I also conduct ceremonies at cemeteries, woodland burial sites as well as more informal venues including village halls, pubs and marquees in gardens.

Professional Fees

• Funerals
• Meeting with the family to discuss the service arrangements (please allow up to 2 hours for the initial meeting)
• Writing the ceremony for the families approval and amending as required.
• Coordinating with the Funeral Directors and officiating at the funeral service.
• Fee from £280 (including mileage within 10 mile radius of RG4)

• Memorial Service
• Meeting with the family to discuss the service (please allow up to 2 hours)
• Writing the ceremony for the families approval, and amending as required.
• Officiating at the memorial service.
• Generally held a few months after the death memorials can allow for a fuller contribution from friends and family, and be a more relaxed and celebratory occasion.
• Fee from £280 (including mileage within 10 mile radius of RG4)

• Scattering of Ashes
• Fee dependent on exact requirement.
• Please contact me to discuss.

• Pre Planning service.
• I will meet with you to plan and document your own tribute in the manner most appropriate to yourself.
• Far from finding this a negative experience many find this a comfort as well as a valuable practical and emotional aid to those left behind.
• Fee from £280 depending on exact requirement.