Hi, I'm Sonya
Thank you for your interest in Humanist Ceremonies and for considering me to take the funeral for your loved one.
As a celebrant, I am respectful, inclusive and non-judgemental and deliver my ceremonies with warmth, authenticity and where appropriate – humour. My approach is always positive, to celebrate the person who has lived rather than the person who has died.
I have a very rich background in communication and working with people, putting their needs and wishes at the heart of what I do. I would therefore love to use this experience to help you have the individual, personal funeral that your loved one deserves.
After training as a Humanist Celebrant in 2016, I work closely with my friend and colleague, Louise Forty, under the name of Heartfelt Ceremonies. We are both accredited, experienced, humanist celebrants and have had the privilege to work with many, many families, creating meaningful, personal ceremonies. We offer a supportive and unified approach. Although we are both down to earth, we each draw from different backgrounds and experiences. Our normal practice is for one of us to lead your ceremony with background assistance from the other. For one fixed fee you receive the benefits of two qualified, professional celebrants.
We know the importance of a funeral or memorial for your loved one. Each person is unique and has touched the world and people in it in some special way. Our approach is a gentle one, accepting people where they are. We can help you say farewell to your loved one in a dignified and personal manner. We will listen to your ideas and, without pushiness or judgement, help you to create a heartfelt ceremony. We will include the things that are important to you and support you throughout the process with empathy and patience, gentleness and flexibility.
Whether you are expecting a very well attended ceremony or a quiet, intimate gathering, we would be honoured to help you say a fitting goodbye to your loved one.
Nobody knows what happens after death so let’s focus on life and what we do know – that life is precious and fragile and should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Thank you for everything you did for G**** and her family, the service was perfect. You really touched us all that day. I will never forget your kindness. Thank you xx. G****’s very proud mum xx
— Wendy
Thank you to YOU for doing an amazing job in giving M*** the send-off he deserved, you did him and us all proud. People who were watching online also messaged afterwards and said the whole funeral was beautiful. What you do makes a big difference to people.
— Karen
The ceremony was lovely and even those in the family who had previously questioned its importance were visibly moved. So, I take that as success! It certainly helped me and others to move forward after a strangely extended time in limbo wondering if we would ever say a proper goodbye. I am very grateful that there are humanist celebrants like yourselves available for these moments in life. It was the first time that our family had done a funeral /memorial in this way, and many commented on the fact that it was more meaningful because it focused on the person rather than the abstractions of a religion or God.
— Elizabeth
I’m sure I speak for myself and mum when I say you’ve got Nan down to a tee! Thank you ☺️ thank you all so so much for a fantastic ceremony and celebration of life for Nan. She would’ve loved the service and we can’t thank you all enough for the parts you played in making it happen. Everything was dealt with in such a respectful manner and with such professionalism from start to finish. You took an enormous amount of pressure off of mum and I so we could concentrate on grieving - thank you.
— Chloe
Sonya Soundy
Where I work
We cover all Devon districts & occasionally go into Somerset. We also cover natural burial sites such as Crossways, Great Bradley Cottage, Sharpham Meadow & Fevin Nature reserve. Memorial services can be provided at various locations across Devon.
Fees from...
£220 - £300 depending on distance
How to contact me
Phone
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.
