For me, conducting a funeral is about far more than the ceremony. People who have been bereaved need time, compassion and understanding to help find a way through those early days after the death of a loved one. I take as long as is needed to ensure that each funeral ceremony I lead is special and individual. My belief is that we each have one life and that life is meaningful and unique: a personalised humanist funeral ceremony highlights this.
To take on the role of a funeral celebrant is a genuine honour. To be able to spend time with those closest to the deceased person and work with you to create the right ceremony can give long lasting positive memories to help ease the way through this painful time. I take an individual and person centred approach, sharing warmth and empathy.
I originally trained and practiced as a social worker; worked for a local charity providing support and advice to family carers; spent some years with Age UK providing advice to older people and their families before working as a senior manager of a local older people’s charity. In 2017 I trained with Humanists UK as a funeral celebrant, which brought together all the skills, knowledge and experience acquired through my working lifetime. It really is the most rewarding role that I have been privileged to take on.
