When a loved one dies the process of grieving starts straight away, sometimes when it is unexpected it is also mingled in with shock and disbelief that this has happened.

Or it may have been expected if there has been an illness or the person is an elderly person.

Whatever the circumstances, planning a funeral at the time when you are grieving can be so difficult and can be the last thing that you wish to think about.

Often a little while after the funeral there is a sense of regret wishing that the ceremony was not as you or they would have wanted and it may be that it seemed “cold” or hurried because at the planning stage you felt so distressed you went through everything in a bit of a blur.

This is where a funeral celebrant can help you, by taking at least some of the weight off your shoulders and although I come to see you and ask you personal questions about your loved one, this to helps me to build a personal picture of them, in order to create an individual and unique ceremony, this sometimes can also help you with the journey of processing what has happened.

The family can be involved and I make notes of any readings, personal tributes or poems they wish to do and your wishes for the inclusion of music you or the loved one would like and I will also create the eulogy for the person with the information you have given me.

Or you may just want a simple ceremony and I can plan around this, as the most important thing is to fulfil your wishes.

I will then leave you to grieve and comfort each other without the pressure of planning a funeral and my role is to create the funeral here to your wishes, you can have as much or as little involvement as you wish, then on the day which is often very emotional and in unfamiliar surroundings, I will conduct your loved ones unique ceremony based around all the information you have given me, so that the ceremony reflects the deceased personality, culture, values and wishes and hopefully as time passes you will be able to look back and remember that it was everything that you and they would have hoped and wished for.

Funerals covered

• Cremations
• Burials
• Woodland funerals, also called green burials, these have become a popular eco-friendly funeral option.
• Memorials following Direct Cremation in a venue of choice, or where there is no body present.
• Scattering of Ashes Ceremonies
• Pet Cremations

Types

• Non religious
• Atheist
• Ceremonies with elements of religion

I became a trained celebrant later in my life, however I do think that the experiences of losing a precious loved one yourself, in my case both parents through cancer, by brother due to Covid and also the loss of my much loved son at 18yrs in a road traffic accident, has given me experience and empathy, together with the desire to create beautiful or simple ceremonies and to help support you through a difficult time, but primarily to give your loved one a memorable goodbye.