As a Humanists UK funeral celebrant, I support families and others to prepare and deliver life tributes for those who may be dying and to remember those who have died. Each life is unique and each person deserves an individual and personalised ceremony to communicate that.
My profession over forty years was as a speech and language therapist. The skills of listening to others, summarizing needs from various view points and communicating a shared approach are skills I also utilize in supporting families in times of bereavement. I was involved in the local schools and community affected by the Grenfell Fire tragedy and learned a great deal about ways to support families, staff and children both with and without faith-based beliefs. While the Humanist ceremonies I provide are non-religious, being open to the views of both believers and non-believers allows everyone to have their beliefs respected within a Humanist ceremony.
I am a long-term supporter of the Wildlife Trust and Shelter. I enjoy my role as a volunteer reader in a neighbourhood school as well as volunteering at a local community charity which supports families with skills needed for further education and work, now giving one-to-one literacy and numeracy support. I enjoy cycling, piano-playing, cooking for my grandchildren and swimming regularly at the local pool. I belong to a community choir which provides a platform for listening, shared sound-making and a great deal of laughter.
See www.lifeanddeathmatter.com for more information.
