Helping families achieve a positive feeling at a terrible time was my motivation in becoming a non-religious celebrant and I hope to make that happen if entrusted with this important task. Brought up in an Irish Catholic family, I have myself travelled a journey from religion to humanism.
COPING WITH BEREAVEMENT
No one wants to think about funerals but unfortunately the very time we have to is when we are at our most vulnerable, dealing with loss. Whether it is a sudden death or not, the finality is always a shock. And just at that point, there are a multitude of decisions to be made, most of them in quite unfamiliar territory, and all when emotions are running very high.
WHAT I OFFER
Support and help for you to navigate this difficult time. The focal point is, of course, the service. Your wishes will totally direct the funeral or memorial ceremony, creating just the right atmosphere and mood. You might know exactly what you want and I can also suggest music, poetry or readings. There will always be sadness at having to say goodbye but there will be laughter too. Relationships are complicated and death can often highlight those complications in family or friendship groups. People have said that I combine tears and humour well and can deal with complex situations with elegance and honestly.
WHY CHOSE A CELEBRANT?
My motivation to train to be a non-religious celebrant was having witnessed some pretty soulless funerals myself. By contrast, my father-in-law’s funeral, led by a humanist celebrant, was a rich and interesting service, reflecting the many parts of his life. It felt like an honest and fitting account of the man. My aim is to recreate that sense for other families.
I live in Crouch End, North London but am happy to travel further afield. My background is London-Irish and I have lived in the capital all my life. Curiosity about other cultures led me to study languages at university and a career in government and the creative industries (publishing, radio) means I am accustomed to hosting and running events, all of which require concise, meaningful and beautiful English of the highest standard. My approach is always the same. I love a challenge, work hard to understand others, adore good design, treasure the written word and value being part of a team.
I am a lifelong Arsenal fan. I enjoy all aspects of outdoor life – walking, cycling, swimming, sailing and skiing. And most of all, I love a good book.
