Cremations & Burials
As a professionally trained celebrant, I will work with you to write a funeral ceremony that is a true reflection of the person you have lost from your lives.
A time of bereavement is difficult. When death is recent, and you are feeling least able to cope, you have so much to do. At such a time your Funeral Director will generally be your first point of contact. However, if you also want someone else to explore options with, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
The range of ways a death can be marked may be larger than you realise, and a truly personal, bespoke ceremony can be a source of comfort.
If you want a small, private funeral but your loved one was more widely known and respected in their community, you may want to consider having a Memorial Ceremony for them at a later date, in addition to the funeral. (Please see below). You do not need to do everything at once.
Following a cremation, a family can be unsure what to do with the ashes. I can help to write and conduct a Scattering of Ashes Ceremony. (Please see below).
Memorials
Sometimes more people would like to attend a funeral than the family feel comfortable with.
This can happen when the deceased was a respected member of a community. Or when they were very young, perhaps of school age. In such cases a lot of people are often deeply affected by their loss. In such circumstances a Memorial Ceremony a few weeks after the funeral can be ideal.
A Memorial Ceremony is not the same as a funeral. It will spend more time acknowledging the range of roles the deceased played. It may involve several people representing different aspects of the life lived, speaking or doing readings.
As a celebrant I can take on the writing of a Memorial Ceremony and coordinate contributions. On the day, I will lead the ceremony is a professional manner. Please contact me if you would like to discuss a Memorial Ceremony for a loved one.
The fee for a Memorial Ceremony includes: a planning meeting, a draft script for you to check, liaison with speakers and conduct of the Ceremony. Afterwards I will provide you with a presentation copy of the script as a souvenir. I may also be able to provide an Order of Service if that is required. Please contact me for information rgarding my fee.
Scattering of Ashes
Following a cremation a family can be left with ashes. Some people choose to keep the ashes, perhaps placing them in a special container in their garden. Others prefer to scatter them, sometimes in more than one location.
A scattering is often a very intimate affair. I can prepare and conduct a ceremony in a formal garden of remembrance, in your home, or at a place that was special to your or to the person who has died.
If I conducted the funeral for you, then there is no additional cost involved. If I am only conducting the Scattering Ceremony then please contact me to discuss the cost.
I will meet with you to discuss what you would like and prepare a draft ceremony. This will often contain elements of the actual Funeral Ceremony, perhaps a favourite poem or prayer. Once you have approved the draft and the ceremony has been conducted, I will prepare a souvenir script for you to keep.
To discuss a Scattering of Ashes Ceremony, please contact me.