What is a Celebrant funeral service or Ceremony?

A Celebrant funeral service is all about what you want. It is often seen as a way of honouring and celebrating someone's life in a more personal and less restrictive way than a traditional service may offer. It can and often does encompass some element of religious content too - it is all-inclusive and for everyone.

There is absolute freedom to ensure that the ceremony is respectful and fitting, and meets all your wishes. The aim is for it to be a faithful, authentic and loving Celebration of a loved one.

Usually it is held in a Crematorium Chapel or Cemetery, but a service can be held anywhere that you choose in fact. There are locations in Somerset and beyond that are set in forest land for example and feel very different to a conventional crematorium setting

At the heart of the service is the Tribute - or Eulogy as it is traditionally called. This is where we pay tribute to the deceased, sharing and focussing on what was special and loved about them. We can devote as much of the service as you want to this. You may also wish to have readings, poems, photographs and music, or more.

A Ceremony of Remembrance, Memorial, Ash Scattering or Interment can be held at any place of your choosing. We would talk in advance about what you feel is most important to include, and my role is to create and lead an appropriate ceremony that is meaningful and memorable.

Are we expected to speak in front of everyone?

Nothing is expected. Some families prefer to let their Funeral Celebrant lead the whole service. On other occasions family members or friends may want to read a poem, speak their own Tributes or play an instrument. That is all entirely up to you, and I can offer plenty of ideas and suggestions as needed.

Is a Celebrant Funeral Service more expensive than a traditional service?

No it is not. Surprisingly the Celebrant fee is one of the cheapest parts of any Funeral Service.

What's next if we want to consider using you for a Funeral Service?

First let's have a informal talk on the phone, or send me an email....so that I can answer any questions that you may have. 

We can talk about what you want, where and when...and I can inform you what my fee would be. All without any commitment required.

If you wish to proceed we can then finalise the time and date... 

Then usually the next step is to arrange a meeting, where we can talk face to face about everything. If this is not possible or appropriate because of your own location or circumstances we can discuss what other way of communicating works best for you.

What is included in your fee?

A binding diary commitment to your desired time, date and place

A face to face meeting where we discuss and arrange the service content in detail. 

Or if you live in a different part of the UK or a different country we can arrange which other ways of communicating work best for you, including email, video calls with Zoom, WhatsApp video or Team

Liaising closely with your chosen Funeral Director for Order Of Service booklets, music ordering etc as required

A draft version of the Ceremony Script is written and sent to you for approval in advance

Officiating the Funeral Service or Ceremony on the day

What areas do you cover for services and ceremonies?

I can attend any location in the Somerset/Avon region, from Bristol down to Taunton, from Weston-super-Mare across to Bath. If you are outside this area then it may well still be possible to lead your ceremony, please do ask..