Hi, I'm Serena

Image of Serena Cross

It might seem odd to talk about a “good” funeral, but what could be more important than making the experience as positive for family and friends, and as authentic to a life lived, as possible. Every person is unique and I believe their funeral or memorial should be too… I can help create a highly personalised ceremony for your loved one: tailor-made to reflect their personality and passions, true to their values, and celebrating their legacy. Stories, memories, and tributes can be woven into the ceremony, alongside music, readings and rituals.

I’ll work with you at this challenging and often overwhelming time and help to relieve the burden, using a calm, clear process: through researching, structuring, scripting, and conducting a moving, meaningful and memorable farewell. The most important thing I do is listen… I will support you in your choices and guide you when needed, suggesting elements to make the ceremony right for everyone (including mourners that can’t attend). A funeral is about honouring a life, and it is also about making space to acknowledge and address the loss felt by family and friends, and to celebrate your memories and connections.

Humanist funerals are non-religious (but inclusive to all) and not bound by convention – there is no abstract right or wrong way, just the way that is right for you and your loved one. Ceremonies can be solemn and soulful, or filled with the balm of laughter – or more often, both. I have a particular interest in natural/eco and woodland burials, but whatever the venue and whatever the scale, I approach every ceremony with care, compassion and dedication. I cherish my roles as a humanist wedding and naming celebrant too, but I do find collaborating with families and loved ones on funerals to be a particularly profound and fulfilling experience. It is such an honour to be entrusted with someone’s story.

I have had a long career as a music and arts curator/producer/director in live events and television, and it’s been surprising and satisfying to find how many of the same skills are called upon in my celebrancy. Please do contact me - I’m happy to have a (free) initial conversation to explain how I work and see whether I might be the right celebrant for you.

You can find me on Instagram @wildandserene_ceremonies and on Facebook too.

Serena recently assisted me in organising and officiating at my ex-partner’s funeral and I will always be extremely grateful for her efforts.. This was an exceptionally sensitive occasion, as L had died under tragic circumstances after disappearing from all our lives for many years; mental illness is often misunderstood and she had alienated many of those of us there mourning. I didn't want a whitewash event: we had all witnessed L's deterioration. Serena spent over two hours at my house getting background information. She suggested that I concentrate on the good bits, the early years, leaving her to deal with the breakdown. I should say, there were long lost relatives present, which only added to the complications.Serena conducted the ceremony with great skill and sensitivity. Afterwards, she spent at least two hours at the wake talking to everyone.She also provided much practical help with the planning, order of service layouts, and photographs, going far beyond the call that I had expected from a Celebrant.

— Alan W

The feedback from friends and family has been overwhelming. Numerous people said that it was the best funeral that they have ever been to. It was just perfect for my father. It is clear that this work is a vocation for Serena. I feel that her attention to detail and exceptional delivery sets a gold standard for such ceremonies. I would thoroughly recommend her to anyone looking for safe hands at a difficult time. 

I knew after one phone call that Serena would be the perfect Celebrant for my father's funeral. I just trusted her implicitly. She had already thoroughly researched his work, and seemed genuinely interested in him and his artistic life. I felt that she had real charisma, which would help to represent him as he deserved. Serena spent a long time with my mother and I, really getting to know Dad and us. She asked interesting questions that really got us thinking. She was sympathetic to his view on life, and this really came across in the ceremony itself. People said it was as if she had known him. 

The ceremony itself was fantastic, it really honoured my father, and offered the perfect balance of solemnity and humour. I was really impressed with the script that she put together, and she accommodated the other speakers with real respect. 

Serena was always available for advice, and got back to emails, calls and texts promptly. I felt that she went above and beyond to make sure that things would run smoothly on the day. She made a site visit to the cemetery before hand to scope out the burial site, and the technical equipment in the chapel. She worked well with the undertakers, and took the lead in organising things smoothly, so that we never doubted that it would all go well. 

— Eleanor

Serena is an outstanding celebrant. Her questions and observations were insightful and sensitive and her manner calm and empathetic and you immediately felt you were in safe hands. She researched everything thoroughly and her script painted a vivid and poignant picture, which she delivered really beautifully in the ceremony.

— Simon

Image of Serena Cross

Serena Cross

Where I work

I live in Hornsey / Crouch End in North London and I work all over London and the Home Counties. Also Cambridge, Norwich, Bristol and Bath. I'm happy to consider travelling elsewhere, so do ask!

Fees from...

£280 single crematorium or burial slot; £350 double slot; £350 memorial. Prices vary depending upon needs etc - contact me to discuss.

How to contact me
Email

serena.cross@humanistceremonies.org.uk

Phone

07740 732379

Website

humanist.org.uk/serenacross

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.