Hi, I'm Hilary

Image of Hilary Leighter

I am very sorry to hear that you need to organise a funeral or memorial ceremony for your loved one now. I would be very pleased to support you to create the very best, unique and personal ceremony they could have, which truly reflects their life and personality.

I work with you to create and deliver happy memories of your loved one, whether it is a personal non-religious, humanist funeral, a scattering or burying of ashes ceremony, or a memorial service. Memorial ceremonies can take place at any date and location of your choosing, involving any number of speakers, music, perhaps a video slide show of your loved one’s life, and food and drink that they would have liked!

I also create funeral ceremonies in advance with people who want to prepare what will happen when they have died, and give their family a heads up on what they would like to have said!

I have been trained in drama at the City Lit, and worked as a trainer, personal coach, and management consultant, as well as standing for Parliament! The skills I have learned enable me to make sure that your ceremony is inclusive, warm and full of love. Please do call me today!

Hilary combined warmth with professionalism. The mourners/celebrators (the deceased was 111 years old) were most impressed by the clarity of her delivery. Hilary respected the fact that a number of those present were of the Jewish faith: Edith, the deceased lived in a Jewish care home but was staunchly secular. Hilary and I worked harmoniously as a team; she diplomatically rejected my somewhat arty ideas, and put together a ceremony that was simple, and tailor-made for Edith and her many friends. Although Hilary had never met Edith, you got the impression that she was "channelling" her. I've recommended Hilary to everyone, and would die happy if I thought she would be conducting the memorial service.

— Vera

Hilary struck just the right note between sadness and celebration of our son's life. It was a beautiful service and we all left the crematorium elated by our son's achievements in life.

— Sue

Dear Hilary, We would like to thank you so much, for the wonderful service you gave Mum on Friday. You put together her tribute so beautifully. You brought her to life in all our imaginations with your words. Everybody said they have never been to a funeral before where they had felt so moved by the atmosphere. We can not thank you enough for making Mum's funeral a memory we will cherish. It was filled with so much love and respect. Words can not express our gratitude towards you.

— Julie

Dear Hilary, Just a short message to thank you for your efforts yesterday at the cemetery. You certainly seem to have a way with words, which I know from talking to the others after the service were much appreciated by them, difficult though occasions such as the one we were attending must always be. As I said, it must in some ways feel odd for you, parachuting into the lives of others at an emotional, milestone, moment, getting an understanding of the emotional dynamics surrounding them whether they can directly interact with you (as I could) or not (as my siblings could not), playing a pivotal role, then just leaving, which requires a particular skillset to accomplish successfully. Anyway, as I say, we were most grateful for what you did.

— John

Image of Hilary Leighter

Hilary Leighter

Where I work

I love to help you to hold a beautiful, meaningful and memorable funeral or memorial ceremony in any of our local crematoriums and cemeteries, including: Ruislip Breakspear Crem, Harrow, Uxbridge, Eastcote, Hillingdon, Greenford, Slough, Windsor, Hayes, Pinner, Northwood, Kenton, Wembley, Rickmansworth, Watford, Garston, Bushey, Stanmore, Acton, Ealing, Beaconsfield, Chorleywood, Chesham, Amersham, Golders Green, Hounslow, Hendon.

Fees from...

£275 to £350 - a half day memorial event is more expensive than a single slot at a Crematorium

How to contact me
Email

hfleighter@freeuk.com

Phone

01895 632096

Website

humanist.org.uk/hilaryleighter

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.