They say that grief is the price we pay for love.
What they don’t say is that grief is different for everyone. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and there is no right or wrong way to mark the death of someone you loved – whatever organised religion may say.
As a trained and accredited Humanist Celebrant, my goal is to help craft a non-religious funeral – a cremation or burial – or a less formal memorial ceremony (which can take place anywhere you choose) to mark the death, celebrate the life, and honour the memory of the person who has died, and to do so in exactly the way you want. It will be unique to them, and apt and meaningful for you.
This needs time and care. I choose not to conduct a lot of funerals, but to spend as much time as is needed on the ones where I can make a difference. I will spend proper time with your family to learn the really important stuff about the person who has died. Not just form-filling facts, but what made them who they were to you. Who and what they loved; what made them laugh and cry; what they cared about; what books, music and movies they liked; what they were good at; what their ideal day would have been; what those left behind loved about them.
Then we can together craft a service that you, and they, would be proud of. Perhaps reflective, perhaps a bit noisier. With room for tears and sadness, of course – but also with room for some smiles, maybe even laughter – if that seems right to you. I’ll take on as little or as much as you like on the day itself – from writing and delivering the whole ceremony (checking back with you throughout to be certain you are happy), to merely coordinating family and friends as they give their own tributes and readings, or anything in between.
I can help you find just the right pieces of music, poems and readings, and I’ll liaise with any Funeral Directors and with the staff at any venue to make sure it all runs smoothly on the day.
If you would like to chat further – without any obligation at all – please call or email me using the contact details shown just to the right. I’ll be proud to help you create the ceremony that’s right for you, and for the one you loved.
