Funerals and Celebrations of Life
If you are here because of a recent or forthcoming bereavement, I am so sorry for your loss and wish you peace, gentleness and fortitude in the weeks and months ahead. I know that this can be a distressing and often confusing time, and I hope that the memories you shared with your loved one may, in time, be a blessing.
When my dearly loved cousin died in a car crash many years ago and I was asked to help organise and lead her funeral, I discovered, even in my sorrow, that this was a calling where I could combine my skills and my sprit to make a real difference. That was one of the first and most significant steps on the journey that has led me to speak about this with you today.
You may be overwhelmed with feelings right now. You may not be able to name or express all of them, but they are there. Your feelings about your loved one are part of a story that is waiting to be told. Let’s tell that story together.
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I am committed to working with you and those who were closest to your loved one to create a personal and heartfelt ceremony which captures the spirt of your loved one and honours their heritage. I offer the practical support you need to feel that the ceremony is right for your loved one, represents what they would have wanted, reflects their personality and allows you to express whatever emotions are uppermost in your heart.
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Although this can be a sad time, a funeral can also be celebratory and uplifting and leave you not only with a sense of tranquillity and closure but with renewed strength to go forward, knowing that the memories you carry will remain with you always. A funeral can be a time to laugh, smile, share stories and music and be strengthened by one another. Your ceremony can be as traditional and dignified or as creative and quirky as you wish. This is a precious moment in time. Together, we can find the perfect way to say goodbye.
I can help by:
Direct cremation celebrations of life and interment or scattering of ashes
Some people prefer not to have a funeral. Instead, they may choose a direct cremation, where cremation takes place with only a funeral director present and no ceremony. When there is a direct cremation, you may choose to hold a separate ceremony. This can be invaluable for loved ones as part of the grieving process. Sometimes this takes the form of a celebration of a loved one’s life while they are still with you. This can be an opportunity to say goodbye in person, to laugh, cry, talk, hug and be together. It may be a celebration of life after the cremation with an informal or party atmosphere. Or it may be a more formal memorial service in a traditional style. For families with a Jewish connection, a stone setting a year after the funeral can be an important tradition. Any of these ceremonies can also be held as part of a traditional funeral process. It’s all down to your personal preference. I can help you prepare for any of these ceremonies, and facilitate the ceremony as well.
If a person is cremated, there is an opportunity to bury or scatter the ashes, perhaps in a place that was special or meaningful to the deceased. This may take place soon after the funeral or many weeks or months later. An ashes ceremony can take place in a great many locations, from a beach to your own garden, and can include highly personalised elements such as creating a piece of art together or releasing balloons with messages of love. I have even held an ashes ceremony on the loved one’s favourite dog walk.
It would be my privilege to work with you to create a celebration of life, memorial service or ashes ceremonies in honour of someone who had been important and precious in your life.
What people say
I would firstly like to recommend Susannah for her compassion, thoughtfulness and professionalism when she was the celebrant for my late husband’s wake.
Susannah made the day so much easier. She really got to know my husband and took the worry out of us having to write his eulogy. She captured my husband’s personality and nature beautifully.
You have written a wonderfully thoughtful tribute for a deeply sorrowful occasion, demonstrating great compassion for the family. Your dedication shines through, particularly in the way you’ve created a full and meaningful graveside burial.
Your sensitivity and empathy are felt in every line. The tone you have struck is sure to offer comfort to both the family and the congregation, especially during the burial, which is filled with care and understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What exactly does a celebrant do at a funeral?
It’s my role as a celebrant to get to know as much about the person who has died as I can so that I can write a ceremony that is personal and unique. This can include helping you choose readings, music and creative elements and putting together an order of service. On the day of the funeral, I will deliver the ceremony alongside your chosen readers and help the funeral director to make sure the day runs smoothly.
Do I have to work with the celebrant the funeral director recommends?
You are always free to choose the celebrant that is right for you. There are no rules as to who can officiate at a funeral, and you don’t have to be limited by someone else’s suggestions. You are always free to select the celebrant of your choice. You may want to visit the websites of a few celebrants and chat to one or two to find the person who suits you best.
I would like religious elements in my ceremony, such as a hymn or prayer. Do I need to have an ordained minster present?
You don’t need a Minister of Religion or a religious setting to add religious elements to a ceremony. Many people of faith have a beloved and trusted Minister and chosen place of burial, but if you don’t I can, as an Independent Celebrant, add elements from any faith or culture. The only thing I am not able to do is to invoke a blessing in the Divine name. That said, if you would like a minster present as well, I am happy to work with ministers of any faith.
What is the difference between an Independent Celebrant and a Humanist Celebrant?
A humanist celebrant is someone who brings a distinctive humanist perspective to the celebration. This means that, while they may use elements from spiritual traditions such as Druidism, they cannot use the language or symbolism of any religion or mention God in any way. As an independent celebrant, I can use elements from any and all religious traditions, or keep your ceremony completely secular. The choice is yours.
My Prices
£250
This includes:
