"If there ever comes a day where we can't be together, keep me in your heart I'll stay there forever"

A.A.Milne, Winnie the Pooh

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This rite of passage is, to my mind, the greatest ceremony of them all.  Everyone deserves a funeral that celebrates  their life and personality with dignity and grace.  Family and friends need to be able to say farewell in a fitting way, that reflects their values, personality and life.  Making sure the family are as involved as they can/wish to be is one of my primary aims.  As well as being the one last thing that they can do for their loved one, it can also often assist with the grieving process to some degree.  

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"I know that you, Jo and Tom from Higher Ground Meadow helped us so much in making J's burial ceremony the emotional and moving celebration of her life that it was. She would have loved it!!

I personally feel very blessed and honoured to have been able to work with you even though it was so hard.

You have such a gift to have been able to draw out of us as a family who J truly was while we were in shock and so much distress at her passing. This gift really was evident in the personalised way you brought the ceremony together.

Also, during the ceremony you were the steadying presence for all who attended, both young and old.

I have had so many comments about how the ceremony really reflected who J was and how beautiful, spiritual and inspiring it was."

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"We were all really delighted with the celebration of mum’s life. We had such lovely comments from people after, with several describing it at the best funeral they had ever been to!

You were tremendous throughout the process. You helped us think through what we wanted from the ceremony; gave us ideas and advice but without imposing any views of your own. From the start you encouraged us that there was no right or wrong way of doing it; and that we should do what we wanted to do. This meant that it ended up being exactly what we hoped it would be: a joyful celebration - one which was appropriate for her, and would have been enjoyed by her.

On the day you were great too. You brought structure and coherence to the occasion but did so in a low key way which allowed the event to proceed at its own pace. Your choice of words created the right tone; and you made great decisions about where aspects needed an introduction, and where they could just flow."

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Losing a loved one, at whatever age, is heart breaking and I am here to help you through that sometimes bewildering and difficult time. 

 

It is important to know that you have choices.  You may choose a woodland or natural burial, a crematorium service or an un-rushed ceremony in a place of your choosing with a short committal service for close family to follow.  There are many options available.  There are no right or wrong ways to do it, just the way that is best for you.  

 

Following a meeting with the bereaved family (and friends if applicable) I will create a unique and appropriate ceremony that reflects the life, values and beliefs of their loved one which will be delivered in a sensitive,

warm and professional manner.  Although it will not be a religious ceremony, I am very happy to incorporate religious readings or hymns if that is desired.  

 

Memorial services or Celebrations of Life are increasingly popular, whereby the loved one has already been laid to rest, but friends and family gather at a later time to celebrate their life.  Again, this can held anywhere - I have conducted beautiful ceremonies in hotel ballrooms, village halls, gardens, in a meeting room at an animal sanctuary, in a cottage living room and on a beach!  Wherever was special for your loved one, is a suitable place to remember and celebrate them.  

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For a selection of poems and readings suitable for funeral ceremonies, click here.

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I have adopted the The Funeral Celebrant Accord, which defines the attributes and skills required of an excellent funeral celebrant.  You can find more details here.  

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You can book me direct or ask your Funeral Director/Arranger to contact me on your behalf.  

Standard Crematorium, Burial or Memorial Ceremony Fee: from £240-270 which includes:

Meeting with you (in person or via Skype etc) to discuss your wishes and to share ideas.

Preparing the ceremony,  sending to you for consideration and making any necessary amends (up to three drafts).

Coaching any speakers/readers in readiness for the ceremony.

Running the ceremony on the day.

A commemorative copy of the script.

Travel costs up to 40 miles round trip.  

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Additional costs to consider, which may or may not be applicable:

Additional mileage over 40 miles - 45p per mile

Saturday ceremonies plus £25

Sunday ceremonies plus £30

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Bespoke Celebration of Life or similar ceremonies held in alternative locations:

Fee to be agreed depending on requirements and distance. 

 

Please note: I am unable to conduct ceremonies that involve the releasing of balloons or sky lanterns.  They

cause so much pain and destruction.  There are lots of lovely alternatives though, like planting a tree or lighting a candle.

 

Planning Ahead

For various reasons some people, whether facing their own imminent death or just being prepared for the future,  

like to have their funeral written and prepared while they are still living.

They take comfort in knowing that their ceremony - the eulogy and music/reading choices - will be exactly as they wish for their own peace of mind and/or so that their loved ones do not have to worry about it.

This can often be a very cathartic process.

The resulting script can then be kept with your will and eventually, when the time comes, it can be read by

either me or another celebrant.  

 

Fee: £180 which includes:

Meeting with you (in person or via Skype etc) to discuss your wishes and to share ideas.

Preparing the ceremony,  sending to you for consideration and making any necessary amends (up to three drafts).

A copy of the script to keep with your will.

Travel costs up to 40 miles round trip.  

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Additional costs to consider, which may or may not be applicable:

Additional cost for me to conduct the funeral when the time comes, without changes to the script  - £80

Additional drafts beyond above - £40 per hour

Additional mileage over 40 miles - 45p per mile

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Struggling with your grief?  Help is at hand....

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​Grief Chat provides completely free emotional support for bereaved people, access to trained bereavement counsellors and referral into other specialist bereavement services. Grief Chat counsellors are experienced in supporting bereaved people and will listen to your story, explore how your grief is affecting you and guide you towards any additional support you might need.

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Grief Chat is available Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, or by email out of these hours:

01524 889 823
info@griefchat.co.uk
griefchat.co.uk

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