When someone we love dies, our final gift of love and gratitude can be a personal, meaningful funeral service. This kind of ceremony helps us reflect on the good things in that person’s life instead of their death. It helps us to be grateful for the past and to look forward with hope. I take pride in creating bespoke ceremonies, which tell a person’s unique life story, and celebrates their character in a genuine and heartfelt way.
There is great beauty in the love expressed at funerals. I aim to make the service a warm, safe space for family and friends to express their thoughts and feelings. I’m particularly sensitive to the needs of children, who may not have attended a funeral before.
Losing someone you love is painful, even when their death is expected and they have lived a long life. When a death is unexpected, traumatic, or the person is young, grief can make everyday life seem completely overwhelming. Together with your funeral director, we make planning a funeral as simple for you as we can.
Kindness and sensitive support are so important at this time. I am a warm, empathetic person; I care about all the families I look after. I also set very high professional standards. I regard leading a funeral for you as a great privilege.
Planning a funeral or celebration of life
Funerals and celebrations of life are changing and becoming much more relaxed and personalised. I encourage families to focus on what’s right for them, which may or may not follow convention and tradition. For example, many funerals are held at crematoria, or burial grounds, but you are free to choose your garden, a theatre or sports venue – wherever feels special.
When we meet, we’ll talk about your loved one’s personality, life history, hobbies and achievements. We’ll think about what made them happy, family and friends, their beliefs, or philosophy of life.
I make sure the funeral genuinely reflects their views. My ceremonies cover the spectrum – from secular, to humanist, to religious. You can select any poems, readings, hymns or songs that feel right, and I can offer you ideas and suggestions.
I take great pride in creating unique, beautiful funerals, which create positive, peaceful memories for the future.
Living funerals
It’s perfectly natural to want to organise a funeral in advance, when you are able to make your wishes known. Or maybe, you’re helping help a loved one plan their funeral. For the dying person, talking about their funeral can help them feel more in control and give them peace of mind. For the family, it can bring the comfort of knowing they’ll be carrying out their loved one’s wishes.
This is a very personal choice. Some people don’t wish to discuss their funeral, whilst others welcome the opportunity. I am pleased to meet people in all types of situation: currently well or unwell – at home, in hospital or at a hospice, in order to discuss their wishes.
Memorials & celebrations of life
A memorial (also known as a celebrations of life) is often held after after a private funeral. It’s a longer ceremony, which offers time to reflect on a person’s life and legacy. This may be chosen if the death was sudden, or if the person was very well-known and a large number of people want to pay their respects.
A memorial is guided by the character and life story of the person who has died. It might include several tributes and readings, a slideshow of photos and an exhibition of mementos or achievements. I have experience of different styles of ceremony and I’m pleased to create something bespoke.
How I work with you
I’m often recommended to families by their funeral director and I also receive direct enquiries. I spend time getting to know you and finding out what kind of ceremony suits the person who has died. Planning a funeral service involves:
- A meeting with you for 1-2 hours
- Bespoke service, including eulogy if required, written and delivered by me
- Regular contact with you and liaison with the funeral director up to the funeral date
- Leading the service on the day
- Travel costs in the West Dorset, East Devon and South Somerset area.
- My funeral fee starts at £280 for a 30 minute crematorium service.
- I work regularly with many of the best funeral directors in Dorset, Devon and Somerset
Living funerals are typically planned weeks or months in advance of a person’s death. Every person and circumstance is different and I am guided by the individual or family members about when, and for how long we should meet. My fee starts at £350, which includes our first meeting and the funeral service, as outlined above.
Memorial services are longer and more complex. They involve extra planning and more liaison with the different people involved. My fee starts at £400, which includes:
- Face-to-face meeting with you, for up to 2 hours
- Creation of the bespoke ceremony, up to 60 minutes
- Liaison with all the speakers
- Liaison with the venue
- Leading the ceremony on the day
- Travel costs in the West Dorset, East Devon, South Somerset area
Scattering or interring of ashes is often a very special, reflective time after the busyness and impact of the funeral. Wherever or whenever you choose to scatter or inter ashes, I will write a meaningful meaningful and memorable ceremony to celebrate the person who has died and in keeping with your chosen location. My fee is £100.
Please feel free to contact me, if you’d like to know more about any of my funeral and memorial services.