Hi, I'm Kathryn

Image of Kathryn Calvert

Hello! I'm Kathryn and I have been working as a Humanist Funeral Celebrant since 2018. It is a privilege to be asked to conduct a ceremony by a family to help them reflect, honour and celebrate the life of a person who has had such impact on them. I take the utmost care in preparing a ceremony that is sensitive, dignified, heart-warming and uplifting. I work alongside families to understand what type of ceremony would be appropriate and to incorporate any wishes that they have or that have been requested. I can suggest the inclusion of relevant, appropriate or memorable music, poetry or readings, if wanted, ensuring that the ceremony truly reflects the essence of the character of the person that is being remembered.

I have conducted ceremonies at crematoria, cemeteries, natural burial grounds, and Celebration of Life ceremonies at wakes, in hotels, club houses, country houses and castles. There are endless possibilities that can ensure that the funeral will be special.

I shall guide families through the development of the ceremony, and happy to include any contributions from those who also wish to be involved. Before the ceremony families receive a draft of the ceremony so that they can be assured that they will be happy knowing that everything will be accurate and that they will have approved with what will be said on the day. Following the ceremony, you will receive a presentation copy of the ceremony script as a keep-sake, and an electronic copy of this will also be available for you to share with those who, maybe, could not attend the ceremony on the day.

A little bit about me...

I think that I have been a Humanist for most of my adult life without really realising it, but I first came across Humanist funerals when arranging my mother's funeral in 2010. It was the perfect ceremony for her. It was not only a fitting and heart-warming farewell to a wonderful woman, but at the end of the service, it left those present feeling uplifted, because of the focus upon the cherished and personal memories that they had been able to share. I am determined to be able to create a similar atmosphere for your loved one. In a previous career as a professional youth and community worker, it was important to listen to and understand people’s needs, and be able to facilitate, empower or guide people through difficult times in their lives, These same skills are used to support families navigate that initial period of loss in order to create a memorable funeral.

Kathryn did a wonderful job of telling Peter\'s story as he wished.

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Huge thank you to Kathryn Calvert for: (a) being a blooming lovely person!! and (b) for being utterly brilliant at her job! We could not have asked for it to have been sorted / written / delivered, more perfectly for our incredible mum and everyone attending the graveside words and hotel room eulogy. Thank you Kathryn. Her listening skills are incredible.. how she could turn an energised over talkative burst of rememberings, sketches and anecdotes - from us three grieving children - into the most detailed, well written \'story\' of her life ... well its 10/10 💕 So so many people said what a \'brilliant way to do a funeral\' that they listened intently to everything said, as it was so interesting and uplifting and so \'her\' ... they also said they learnt \'a thing or two about mum aswell... I didnt even cry... and I think that was due to my feeling totally \'supported\' by Kathryn !! Thank you 💕

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“Kathryn did a wonderful service as the deceased would have been extremely satisfied with.    Everyone who commented said they liked the whole ceremony.”

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“Kathryn was a friend to my late husband and myself and this meant the ceremony had not only the personal touch but also the right touch which is what we wanted”

January 2024

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“Kathryn developed a funeral and celebration of life presentations that that were just right. She had a gentle manner interviewing those directly involved and that encouraged people to relax and express what they felt. Feedback from attendees was very positive. We were very glad that Kathryn could use her skills to say farewell to my wife.”October 2023

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Image of Kathryn Calvert

Kathryn Calvert

Where I work

I take ceremonies throughout Cumbria and North Lancashire,

Fees from...

£195.00 to include a family visit , preparation and delivery of celebration script , preparation of hard-copy and electronic copy of presentation script, liaison between family and funeral director

How to contact me
Email

kathryn.calvert@humanistceremonies.org.uk

Phone

07920 511696

Website

humanist.org.uk/kathryncalvert

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.