Funeral & Celebration of Life

Conducting funeral services since 2016, I work with you to write a meaningful, relevant, and highly personal Funeral Ceremony.

Celebrating the True Meaning of Life

There are no hard-and-fast rules. Facing death can be an overwhelming and traumatic time and often one of the most difficult times in our lives.

I believe that a good funeral should be profound and transformational in processing the loss of someone you love. Having conducted funeral ceremonies since 2016 and with over 8 years’ experience as a Deputy Registrar it would be my privilege to assist you at this time by working with you to write a meaningful, relevant, and highly personal Funeral Ceremony.

Funerals have the power to heal, provide a chance to come together, to celebrate a person’s life, to pause for reflection, and say goodbye.

In the words of William A Foster – “Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skilful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives”.

There are many choices when organising a funeral, good reputations are founded by good relationships and I work alongside funeral professionals across the Fylde Coast. If you have found a Funeral Director, then they can put me in contact with you or if you’re looking to find a Funeral Director, I may be able to assist.

Working closely with a Civil Celebrant to plan a funeral can often bring forth happy memories and stories otherwise forgotten.

I am a Civil Celebrant meaning you have the freedom to choose, if you would like to have a prayer or an element of religion in the service then of yes of course, I’m not a humanist, I follow your wishes and should you wish to have absolutely no religion in the service, know that’s ok too.

The choice is entirely up to you. However, should you choose to have a full religious service with hymns and prayers then I will direct you to a member of the clergy who will be better suited to match your needs.

The service must be true to you, I follow your wishes.

I truly connect with the families I serve, and we all know how difficult funerals have been during Covid. I care and want to help my families with aftercare and coping with grief. Should you need support at this time, please see our places to get help below or visit our Love & Loss page.

How To Plan A Funeral Service – Funeral Guide

A celebration of Life

A celebration of life is ceremony is focused on happy memories of the deceased rather than the fact our loved ones are no longer with us. In other words, you can expect a much less sad and somber affair than the funeral. An event where family and friends can remember together happier times spent with the deceased.

The event tends to be after a funeral, or instead of a funeral and it is a celebration, an opportunity to have their legacy celebrated and treasured in the presence of the people who were most important in their lives.

By its very definition, a celebration of life is celebratory and joyful, encouraging all of the attendees to be positive and remember all of the good things about the deceased.

In this case, choosing a Civil Celebrant is ideal because it allows the family or the deceased person’s beliefs to have an element of religious content written into the ceremony if they so wish along with modern poems and music. The ceremony can be held anywhere at any time without time restrictions.

The focus is on happy memories of the deceased rather than on the sad fact that they’re no longer with us.

Places to get help when coping with grief

The Samaritans

When life is difficult, Samaritans are there – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

Cruse Bereavement Care

The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement. The number is 0808 808 1677 or email helpline@cruse.org.uk They also have a wonderful Facebook page.

At a Loss

At a loss is a website that signposts people with bereavement to the support that helps ataloss.org/get-in-touch

Jolly Dollies

Jolly Dollies is a social network group started by widows for widows the website: thejollydollies.co.uk

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a group for single and equal parents gingerbread.org.uk helpline number is: 0808 802 0925

Way

WAY is a helpful website for widowed and young widowedandyoung.org.uk

Silverline

The Silverline is a helpline for older people, the helpline number is: 0800 470 8090

LGBT

LGBT+ helpline is 0300 330 0630, their website is switchboard.lgbt

Good Grief Project

The good grief project is a wonderful resource with lots of very helpful information. There is a good grief Facebook page thegoodgriefproject.co.uk

Helpful Resources

What Is A Celebrant? – Written by Gwyn Davies

Celebrant, Celebrant, what is it you do?
I’m a little old fashioned and haven’t a clue.
Celebrant, Celebrant, what is it you do?
Are you religious, or is that taboo?
Who is your target, where is your goal?
I’m a little confused, as to what is your role.
Are you religious, or the atheist sort,
I’m a bit in the dark and need to be taught.
Well let me enlighten, I’ll try and explain,
I’m there as a person to try ease the pain.
It isn’t about me or any belief,
I try help the loved ones to help with their grief.
There’s more than two options, to help people through,
So I’ll try and explain, what us Celebrants do.

We take an approach, with a personal touch,
For loved ones in need of the help for a crutch.
Some aren’t religious, but still want a prayer,
Or even a hymn, and we’re happy to share.
It just doesn’t matter what our belief,
We’ll use an approach, that helps bring relief.
So as you can see, it’s not black or white,
We offer a service that we just try make right.
Right for the person, whose life has passed on,
And try help those hurting, as their loved one has gone.
We tick all the boxes, some people say,
We try make it special, in our own unique way.
Times are a changing, changing so fast,
We must try move forward, not stuck in the past.
To help and bring comfort, is our real aim,
Each service is special, no two the same Happy to meet to discuss what we do
At a time or a place chosen by you

What they say about us

I just wanted to say thank you for your lovely service today for my cousin M** You were so lovely and thoughtful, and really took the time out to make it so special. It means a lot as it gave my uncle some comfort

I can’t thank you enough for the heartfelt service today, everyone asked if you knew my mum personally.

Thankyou very much for the lovely service you took for my brother R** funeral service this morning. We couldn’t have asked for better.

Kelly conducted my 90yr old mum’s funeral after her prolonged battle with Covid 19. Excellent, thoughtful, and sensitive to both the family’s needs and the surreal nature of the current situation.

I would just like to say how fantastic Kelly was at officiating at my late father-in laws funeral, she was extremely professional and compassionate, and nothing was too much trouble. Funerals are never easy but with Kelly taking care of everything it was a lovely memorable service and I would highly recommend her for any celebration of life or a happier celebration.

Thank you so very much for the lovely service you gave D*** yesterday it was just what he would have wanted, and everyone commented on how lovely it was. It was a lovely service, very dignified and professional Your demeanor and how you conducted the service made it a whole lot easier you were wonderful and thank you again from all the family

The service you did for my dad today Just wanted to say thank you for your words today and for putting up with us for the last couple of weeks. We were really happy with what you put together and were happy with the send off and I also wanted to say a massive thank you for the lovely angel wing that’s so special and thoughtful and I love it. You didn’t have to do that and the fact you did really meant a lot. Thanks for everything

To ensure you have a beautiful tailor-made ceremony, spoken with warmth and personality, delivered professionally and from the heart – complete the contact form, or call us 07833 470218, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.