Hi, I'm Mike

Image of Mike Ashbridge

I've been a Humanist Funeral Celebrnat for fourteen years and as time has gone on, I'm constantly aware of what a great privilege it is to do this job. Working closely with families I always try to create ceremonies that truly reflect the life and personality of their loved one. This means in turn that each ceremony is personal and unique.

Through my work as a volunter bereavement support worker I know that an appropriate and affectionate ceremony can be a great help to people as they navigate their way through their grief. This might be because it helps them truly appreciate the lasting influence of their loved one in their life or if it helps them rebalance their memories away from the recent past if someone was very ill during that time,

Funeral ceremonies really do not need to be turgid, depressing events that must be endured. After a funeral,it is so heartening to hear people say that they enjoyed the ceremony itself as it helped them remember the person they loved and the happy times they shared together!

‘My nephew was so impressed by your way of speaking of his Aunt that he couldn’t believe that you didn’t know her. Your gathering of her story & the kind retelling really helped me to find the happy memories, I (& the family) had of Peggy, which in had been rather lost over the last few years. That was a gift I had not expected to receive that day and it is very precious.’ 

— Mrs D.L

We the family found the ceremony very moving and so many of those attending the funeral have expressed their feelings of pleasure at the appropriateness of the whole ceremony. Your address gave the impression that you actually knew Cynthia in life and avoided that cold feeling of so many funeral orations. Thank you for taking so much trouble to get the wording and the facts right.’

— Mr A.L

‘Thank you so very much for a very wonderful funeral ceremony for Brian. It helped the pain so much as you known he was a very wonderful and kind man. Once again words cannot say how we feel you made it easy for us.’ Mrs M.H.

 

— Mrs M.H.

‘The service was perfect for Steve’s wishes. I was very impressed with the way you brought it together in a dignified, special tribute to him. Everyone I spoke to thought the service was most fitting and I have received numerous enquiries about you.’ Mrs M.D.

— Mrs M.D.

Image of Mike Ashbridge

Mike Ashbridge

Where I work

I work in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Fees from...

From £175 for a standard funeral or celebration of life ceremony. A reduced fee by agreement for the interment of ashes

How to contact me
Email

mdashbridge@gmail.com

Phone

07810 305542

Website

humanist.org.uk/mikeashbridge

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.