I'm a humanist celebrant and I create non-religious funerals, memorials and celebrations of life.
Everyone’s reaction to the death of a loved one is personal - we are all different. For many, funerals are an important way of coming to terms with a death. For those without a religious faith a funeral can sometimes lack meaning or ritual and it can feel impersonal. This was certainly my experience when my father died and it was the reason I decided to become a funeral celebrant.
As a humanist celebrant, accredited by Humanists UK, I help people say goodbye without religion. Beautiful, poignant, joyful, or simple – whatever your interpretation, I work closely with you to create meaningful ceremonies.
The process of creating a funeral starts with a family visit. My approach is to start with a blank page. There is no fixed structure or order of ceremony and I make no assumptions.
First, we talk, usually over a cup of tea, at your home or online.
We talk about the person who’s died. We talk about their family and friends, their interests and what was important to them.
We talk about what might be appropriate and what might be possible.
If you have plans, I’ll help you bring them to fruition. If you don’t, and many people don’t, together we’ll collaborate to create something personal and meaningful.
As I begin to get a feel for the person who’s died, I get an idea of what sort of ceremony we might create. We build it together to reflect their life – the ups and downs and your memories or feelings of them.
I can suggest the structure, music, readings and poetry if necessary, but usually people tend to have an instinct for what is right for them.
Although I don't lead acts of worship, if there are any religious or spiritual hymns or readings which you feel are significant, we find a way to ensure they are included. Often, a family member or friend likes to read this part.
Once I have all the information I need, I send you a draft so you can check it and make any amendments.
I liaise with the funeral director, bearers and crematoria staff to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. After the ceremony, I provide you with a keepsake copy of the ceremony.
I also offer a secure & confidential pre-planning service for those who wish to plan their own funeral in advance. This allows you to live your life, confident in the knowledge that when the time comes, you've eased some of the burden for your loved ones. Contact me for further details.
