Hi, I'm Caroline

Image of Caroline Clark

My name is Caroline Clark and I am a funeral celebrant accredited by Humanists UK. I am based in Bedford, where I went to school as a teenager before spreading my wings for many years of adventure and exploration. I returned about 10 years ago to be close to my parents who still live in Bedford.

Being a Humanist celebrant is a way of honouring my belief that we have one life, that we should live it to the full, and when it ends, it should be appropriately celebrated.

Each of us has our own unique blend of values, qualities, achievements, passions, adventures, relationships and friendships. It’s therefore important that every ceremony is carefully crafted to reflect and honour those in a personal and meaningful way.

My experience and skills in listening, as a trained life coach and former Samaritan volunteer, and my natural empathy and compassion, allow me to draw out the stories of people’s lives from their loved ones. These stories should be sensitive and authentic, and delivered in a way that those of you who hear or read them, will clearly recognise the person you knew and loved.

I have been lucky enough to have lived an eclectic life to date, having lived and worked in India and Japan, as well as a number of places in the UK. My work career was mostly in travel and international volunteering, and latterly running a local charity in Bedford, which provided emotional support to people in immigration detention. I have experienced many different cultures and life styles and this is reflected in my work as a celebrant.

When I am not working, I love spending time in nature, walking with my dog, Aggie, or being away with her in my campervan.

It would be a privilege to work with you to create a ceremony that truly reflects and honours your loved one and to be able to deliver it with authenticity and kindness.

Ceremonies these days don’t have to follow the traditional structure. The beauty of a Humanist ceremony is that it can really reflect the personality of your loved one. Ceremonies can be humorous, they can include any kind of music, either live or recorded, and people can wear whatever might reflect the person whose life you are celebrating.

My role is to help you to tailor a uniquely individual ceremony, which you can treasure.

Caroline made a very difficult time much easier and showed immense kindness and compassion towards myself and my mum. She explained everything when she came to see us - where we would sit, where she would be and what to do at the end and this put our minds at rest. I especially felt ‘safe’ on the day when she welcomed me with a big hug outside the crematorium before the service began and I knew Dad was in good hands from then. It was the little touches that she probably didn’t even know she was doing that meant so much . The service ran flawlessly and Caroline’s speech about my Dad captured him beautifully.

— Karen, Bedford

Image of Caroline Clark

Caroline Clark

Where I work

I am based in Bedford and will travel throughout Bedfordshire, and to parts of Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire within about 30 miles of Bedford.

Fees from...

£250 for cremations or burials and from £400 for bespoke celebrations of life.

How to contact me
Email

caroline.clark@humanistceremonies.org.uk

Phone

07932 313500

Website

humanist.org.uk/carolineclark

HUMANIST CEREMONIES™ is the network of more than 550 celebrants, trained by national charity Humanists UK to a gold standard to provide memorable and meaningful humanist ceremonies to non-religious people. Operating throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, we deliver authentic, tailor-made and heartfelt ceremonies for life’s key moments. They are always inclusive and welcoming, regardless of the beliefs of those attending.

You can trust Humanist Ceremonies celebrants: We are DBS-checked, fully insured, and regularly peer reviewed for quality assurance. We are committed to a code of conduct, and have a transparent and robust complaints process in the rare case of a problem. We all pay a monthly fee to Humanists UK to further support the work of the charity, and are part of a regional network for like-minded celebrants for support and learning.

Humanist funerals

Humanist funerals, memorials and ash ceremonies are a fitting way to honour a unique life with warmth, sensitivity and meaning, but without reference to religion or an afterlife. They put the story of the person who has died at the heart of the ceremony, paying tribute to them and the legacy they leave, and provide an opportunity to bring people together, not just to share sadness but to celebrate a life lived.