Hi, I'm Craig

Image of Craig Ellis

Hello – I’m Craig.

I am a funeral celebrant devoted to creating meaningful, authentic ceremonies that help you say goodbye in a way that truly reflects the life that was lived.

I create inclusive, non-religious ceremonies that honour identity, individuality, and the unique story of each person. Every life is different, and every farewell should be too—whether quiet and reflective or full of laughter, music, and joy.

My role is to listen with care, understand deeply, and guide you gently. Together, we can craft a ceremony that feels right—not only for the person who has died but for everyone saying goodbye.

I warmly welcome everyone. My ceremonies are shaped by the values, stories, and spirit of the individual—not by tradition or religion. I work closely with families and friends to create sincere, heartfelt tributes.

With years of experience in the bereavement sector, through volunteering, professional work, and more recently as a qualified trainer, training new volunteers, I bring a deep understanding of grief and loss, and I strive to make you feel safe, heard, and supported, so we can create a farewell that truly honours your loved one.

Whether someone lived quietly or vividly, openly or privately, I ensure their story is told with respect, empathy, celebration, and humour.

Funerals can be moments of quiet reflection, deep sorrow, or a heartfelt and joyous celebration. A thoughtfully crafted ceremony provides space to remember, honour, and cherish the connections that mattered most, creating a farewell that truly resonates and leaves a lasting sense of meaning.

Families often tell me they feel understood, reassured, and comforted. I aim to bring warmth, calm professionalism, and a sense of occasion to every ceremony I lead, helping everyone present feel supported as they say goodbye.

I can deliver services at crematoriums, burial grounds, or memorial locations that hold special significance. Whether your gathering is small and intimate or larger and celebratory, I’ll guide you with care, shaping a farewell that reflects the spirit, values, and life of your loved one and offers comfort to all who attend.

Memorial services are increasingly chosen by families seeking personalized, inclusive, and meaningful ways to celebrate life—ceremonies that are heartfelt, bespoke, and free from tradition, allowing your loved one to be remembered exactly as they were.

Covering all of North Yorkshire

Image of Craig Ellis

Craig Ellis

Where I work

I am based just outside York and cover all of North Yorkshire.

Fees from...

£220

How to contact me
Email

craigelliscelebrant@gmail.com

Phone

07365 911083

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.