My celebrant journey began with my mother's funeral over thirty years years ago. In those days, it wasn't the norm for families to be involved in the planning and delivery of their loved ones' funerals, and her ceremony just didn't feel right. It didn't do my lovely, warm, kind-hearted mum justice and it could almost have been written for anyone. Eighteen years later, having become increasingly involved in planning and speaking at a number of family funerals, including my dad's funeral in Spain and his memorial ceremony over here, I decided it was time to act. I gave up my full-time job and trained with Humanists UK (formerly the British Humanist Association), became an accredited Humanist Celebrant in 2009, and have never looked back!
My aims as a celebrant are quite simple: To understand and fulfil the wishes of the family member or friend you have lost, whilst also taking into account your own views and opinions. To listen to and appreciate their unique story - to 'get to know' them, sometimes 'warts and all'. And finally, through personal family tributes, photographs, poetry and music (depending on your wishes), to create a ceremony which truly reflects the person they were and all that they still mean to you .
I cannot do this without your help and will seek to involve you in planning and delivering the ceremony, if you feel comfortable with this approach. I will do as much or as little as you wish, both behind the scenes and on the day, to ensure that together we do your loved one full justice on this most special and poignant of occasions. This is your ceremony, not mine, so no posturing on my part, just a promise to be a calm, professional, empathetic and caring presence throughout our time together.
Being a celebrant feels like a real privilege and I love my job, but having other interests in life is essential. My hobbies include gardening and DIY, walking, and making and showing kiln-fired glass art. I am also an enthusiastic badminton player at club level, albeit rather more slowly than in my younger days! Oh, and I do have a quiet sense of humour which is reflected in my ceremonies as and when this is fully appropriate. I will be guided by you at all times.
I do hope that this has helped you to get to know me a little, and I look forward to hearing from you if you'd like to find out more. Just email me or give me a call and we can arrange to have a chat without any obligation.
With my warmest wishes,
Gillian (Jill)
