What I do…

As an independent funeral celebrant, I work with the family and friends of the deceased to design and deliver funeral ceremonies that truly reflect and celebrate the life of the person who has died. Here I explain details of the service I provide.

Deciding on a celebrant

Often, people are unsure about who will conduct a funeral ceremony for them. Sometimes, for people who held a strong faith, it will be a religious leader. For others a close friend or family member will be able to lead the service, however this can be a daunting task and intrude on their own grief and ability to say goodbye. In these circumstances, you will need to find someone who can lead the ceremony in a way that reflects the values and beliefs of the person who has died - this person is a ‘celebrant’. You can find your own celebrant, or your Funeral Director will be able to find someone who meets your needs.

MAKING CONTACT

If you are looking for your own celebrant, there are plenty to choose from across the country. Some only work in their local area while others will travel across the UK and even abroad. Some will only conduct ceremonies in a crematorium while others will also preside over burials. I work across the UK and am happy to conduct both burials and crematorium funerals. I am also available to lead memorial services, interment/scattering ceremonies or any other commemoration event you have in mind for your loved one.

If you decide you’d like me to lead your ceremony, you can contact me, here enquire about my availability and book my services for the date of the funeral you are arranging. You can also provide my details to your Funeral Director who will get in touch with me on your behalf.

Our First Meeting

In order to tailor each funeral to the person who has died, I need to learn about their life from the people who knew them best - their family and friends. In our initial conversation, we will arrange a date and time for me to speak with you and anyone else you think would like to input into the arrangements. It is helpful, but not absolutely necessary, if this can take place in the home of the person who has died. If this is not possible, please choose a location that will allow everyone present to feel comfortable and talk openly and freely about the deceased. If you are having trouble finding a suitable location, please let me know and I will be able to offer suggestions - including online options.

At this first meeting we will try and cover all of the details of the ceremony - from timings and the number of mourners to choices of music, readings and details of people who may themselves wish to speak. We will also talk at length about the person who has died. This enables me to write a tribute that fully captures and celebrates their life. This meeting can take some time. It is not unusual for them to last for 1.5-3 hours. I will be available for as long as is required for you to be satisfied that everything has been covered and you’ve had the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Preparing the ceremony

After our meeting, I will write a full draft script for the ceremony. In order to make sure the timing of the funeral is accurate - and to make sure I don’t repeat any details - I will also need a copy of any contributions that friends or family would like to make. Once this is complete, I will send you the full draft of the ceremony for your comments. We can then shape the ceremony together, for example: making changes to the running order, editing the words or adding extra information. This is also an opportunity for you to make sure all the information I have included is accurate.

This process does not need to be rushed and changes to most things are possible until the day before the ceremony itself. During this time, I will be on hand to answer any questions you have, address any concerns and liaise with your funeral director to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.

The funeral

On the day of the funeral, unless other arrangements have been made, I will meet you at the crematorium or burial site. I will then lead the ceremony as we have planned.

After the Funeral

Either immediately after the ceremony or at a later date, by email or post, you will receive from me a commemorative copy of the funeral service.

Cost

I charge £285 for a standard ceremony of up to 35 minutes taking place in London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. This covers all of my time meeting with you, preparing and editing the service and the ceremony itself.

I am available to conduct ceremonies UK wide and abroad. Charges for services outside the areas above are will be agreed upon inquiry.

Payment for my services will usually be made through your funeral director. If you would like to make other arrangements regarding payment, please raise this with me as soon as possible.

My training and experience

I completed my celebrant training with Humanists UK in 2019. This means I have been professionally trained by one of the UK’s leading celebrant training providers. Since then I have conducted numerous funerals across the country and have received may positive testimonials from families I have worked with. I have subsequently expanded my celebrancy practice and am now able to offer ceremonies that include religious or spiritual elements as well as fully non-religious services.

I have also previously worked as a funeral director in the Watford area. This means I have an in-depth understanding of the whole funeral process, which is invaluable when liaising with the funeral home where your loved one is resting. It also means I am acutely aware of the demands faced by funeral crew, funeral directors and funeral arrangers in the run up to and on the day of the funeral.

My experience in the funeral sector locally means I have access to a network of colleagues whose work I know and trust. If I am unavailable to perform your ceremony, I’d be delighted to suggest colleague who may be able to help. In the highly unlikely event that I cannot perform the ceremony on the day (due to being unavoidably detained by accident, injury, illness or other unforeseeable circumstance) my network of contacts means I will able to help locate a replacement in a timely manner.

I hold full public liability and professional indemnity insurance and I undertake an annual DBS check (proof of which is available upon request). I have also signed up to the Funeral Celebrancy Council’s Funeral Celebrant Accord.

Feedback and complaints

Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated. You may be asked to give permission for your feedback to be shared in my promotional materials. This will always be handled sensitively and you are entitled to refuse permission if you wish.

In the unlikely event that you wish to make a complaint please contact your funeral director in the first instance.