Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. There is so much to do and to prepare at a time when the feelings of loss impact on an ability to think. My role is to support you and to help to take the anxiety away from decision making about the ceremony. Through careful listening, I will find the words to celebrate the life and character of the person you have lost. Whilst a loved one is no longer present in the physical sense, their values and love transcend the years through memories. It is so important, to find a celebrant you can trust, someone who can listen well, show empathy and be kind at a time you need that most.

A Funeral Director may have assigned me to work with you or you may wish to engage my services privately. You can request me as your funeral celebrant, knowing that I have been fully trained and am experienced in delivering celebration of life ceremonies which have religious, or non-religious content.

After an initial phone call, where I learn a little more about the type of ceremony you hope for, I will send you a selection of poems and words to consider, helping to refine your thoughts whilst seeking not to overwhelm you. I will then support you with appropriate wording and music until you are happy that the ceremony is fitting for your loved one.

We will meet in the comfort of your home to plan the ceremony. I will make detailed notes on the life of your loved one and we will agree music choices, readings and wording for the ceremony. You may have family members and close friends who wish to be present and/or wish to speak on the day. All this will be discussed and fully agreed at our planning meeting.

Over the course of the days leading up to the ceremony, I will draft a loving tribute within a script. This will be shared so that you are knowledgeable about all aspects of the service.

As a fully trained Funeral Celebrant, I have access to a wide range of poems, prayers and choices of hymns or modern music. I aim to craft bespoke words which represent your loved one accurately, delivering these with empathy, compassion, humour and spark as is appropriate to the wishes of the family. I will link sections of the ceremony so that there is a natural flow from the beginning to the closing words at the end. Whilst it is a very emotional day, I will encourage you to leave the crematorium, after hearing uplifting words and music, so that you can take positive steps forward, feeling more able to continue to live your life in a way which makes your loved one proud.

Charges:

My fee is £250 for a standard ceremony of up to 30 minutes. This will include 3 choices of music, 2 readings, a tribute (up to 10 minutes), committal (or farewell words), blessings and prayers if requested. All these aspects will be carefully encased around meaningful opening and closing words.

For a longer ceremony of up to 1 hour, which includes further readings, and tributes lasting up to 20 minutes, my fee is £350. This ceremony may also include a mini ceremony where memorial seeds are blessed and handed out or a book of memorial is blessed before use. Please note, materials are to be purchased by the family for these mini-ceremonies.

If booked privately, a £50 deposit is required to secure my attendance at the ceremony. Travel costs are included in my fee for the first 30 miles of travel and then are 45p per mile after this distance.