Funerals

A cremation service at a crematorium is a very popular choice for families who have lost a loved one. There are companies who provide direct cremations, but these do not include a service where friends and family can gather to say goodbye, something that is recognised as important for the grieving process.

As an independent celebrant, I can write and lead the service for you at the crematorium. I will talk to you beforehand to gather information about your loved one so that I can write a meaningful and special tribute. I will also liaise with the Funeral Director around your choice of music, and order of service, so that you can be assured that everything will run smoothly on the day.

I can write the tribute/eulogy for you, or you can do this, and I can help if needed. Other family members or friends can take part by sharing readings if they would like, but if you prefer, I can lead the whole service.

I am happy to include religious, spiritual or symbolic elements into the service (such as prayers or readings) if you would like, but you do not have to have these. The most important thing for me is that you have the ceremony that you would like, and that reflects the life of your loved one with dignity and respect.

This is a ceremony that takes place after the cremation itself. Interment of ashes refers to the process where cremation remains are placed in a permanent resting place. An ashes interment ceremony can be held when a family member has chosen a direct cremation, and there has been no formal service for family and friends, or after a more traditional service at the crematorium.

There is no set time between the cremation and the interment of ashes – it can happen at any time. Taking the time to find the final resting place for your loved one’s ashes is important for families.

Ashes can be buried in cemeteries, burial grounds, dedicated family plots, or in private gardens. They can also be buried in woodlands and natural burial sites, but for these locations, the urn would need to be fully biodegradable, often made of recycled paper or willow. These are ideal for burial, and offer a respectful return to nature.

I will lead the ashes interment ceremony for you, and the ceremony does not have to have a Funeral Director present. I can actually place the ashes for you, or a family member can do this as part of the service if you prefer.

A memorial ceremony or service is held after, or sometimes instead of, a funeral service. A memorial service can take place on a specific date, such as your loved one’s birthday or the anniversary of their death, or at any other time.

A memorial is a way to remember and celebrate the life of your loved one, focusing on the joy that they brought to others. It often has a similar structure to a more traditional funeral service, and can include readings, poems, music, photo memorials, and contributions from friends and family in place of a eulogy. I will work with you and your family to create the kind of memorial ceremony that you would like.

A memorial does not have to take place in a crematorium, church or chapel. It can take place with an independent celebrant anywhere (for example, in an outdoor location, in a hotel or local events space, or even in the family home), and this can make the ceremony more meaningful. A memorial ceremony can also be held before, or as part of, an interment of ashes.

A celebration of life is an opportunity for family and friends to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed away. It allows people say goodbye and honour the life of someone in a uniquely personal way.

Celebrations of life are not sombre affairs, but are celebratory. They are often much less structured than a memorial service, and contain different elements that celebrate the life of the person who has died, their achievements, hobbies and interests, and their legacy. Family and friends usually share happy memories of the person whose life is being celebrated.

To fit with the celebratory tone, those attending often wear brighter colours. As celebrations of life are highly creative, the coffin can be transported to the venue using a range of means (a VW camper van is a popular means). The venue can be any indoor or outdoor location, and celebrations of life are often not restricted in terms of timing, so a weekend, early evening or nighttime ceremony could be chosen. I will work with you, and help you liaise with the venue etc to make sure that you have the perfect celebration of life for your loved one.

Celebrations of life can include live music, book exchanges, tree planting, kite flying or even fireworks. In outdoor locations, the celebration could also include the wake in the form of a barbecue, a campfire gathering or picnic.

A living funeral is a relatively new kind of ceremony. It is a goodbye celebration held before a person dies, and is a way of celebrating somebody’s life, often with a party atmosphere.

A living funeral often appeals to people who are elderly or terminally ill. It provides them with a lovely opportunity to manage their own funeral arrangements, to celebrate their life in the way that they would want with the important people in their lives, and to and play an active part in the celebration itself. A celebrant can help plan the whole event, and co-ordinate the different activities.

Whereas more traditional crematoria, burial, or memorial services focus on the sharing of memories of the person who has died, a living funeral is about the celebration of friendships and family relationships with the people attending.

Often living funerals are more like parties, are more relaxed, and can be held anywhere that feels appropriate.