Endings

Saying goodbye to a loved one is such a special time. It is usually a time of sadness, particularly if someone dies unexpectedly, but can also bring back joyful memories. Working with you to commemorate the life of someone special, in a unique and meaningful way, would be an honour and a privilege. I am a trained Bereavement Visitor and Listener, and as an Independent Celebrant, use these skills to support you with care and compassion throughout the process of designing the ceremony together.

Celebrating the life of the person who has died, and supporting their friends and family, are at the centre of everything I do. Although I will never meet the person whose life is being celebrated, I regard it as a privilege to prepare and deliver the best possible tribute that I can, to honour their life (however short or long that may have been), and to support those who are left behind.

A photo of Julie in funeral attire with a black folder

Funerals

My aim is to work with you to provide a fitting tribute which is a reflection of your loved one’s life. The ceremony can include religious or non-religious songs, readings or poems.

I would be happy to arrange to meet with you to discuss exactly how you would like the ceremony to be. There will be the opportunity for you to share memories and stories about your loved one, to create a truly personal service. After this meeting you can make any changes up to the day before the funeral.

If you decide that I am the right celebrant for you, please let your funeral director know, and we will work together when the date of the funeral is known.

Memorial Services

You may prefer to have a memorial service at which the person who has died is not present, for a variety of individual reasons. This may take place at a time and a venue determined by you, and in a format of your own choosing.

Photographs may be placed at the venue and mourners invited to contribute to a memory tree or keepsake box containing their messages of love and memories.

A photo of a hearse with a coffin and flowers

Burials

Burials may incorporate a full ceremony at the graveside or follow on from a venue elsewhere. Mourners may wish to scatter rose petals at the graveside or place flowers on top of the coffin. Following a cremation, ashes may be interred in a burial plot, perhaps to join those of a loved one who has previously died. The process for planning a burial service with me is the same as for a funeral service.

Scattering of Ashes

There are many places where ashes may be scattered, and you may choose to combine this with a ceremony following a direct cremation, or sometime after the funeral service. It important to seek the necessary permissions from the owner of the land where you wish the ashes to be scattered.

Pet Funerals

The loss of a much-loved pet can be an emotionally challenging one, and grieving is a part of the healing process. Together, we can celebrate the companionship the animal has given to you, and can incorporate photographs and favourite toys into the ceremony, which can take place in a venue that means something special to you and your pet.

This may be at a pet cemetery, crematorium, or your back garden. Alternatively ashes may be scattered along the route of a favourite walk.

It important to seek the necessary permissions from the owner of the land where you wish the ashes to be scattered.

The fee for a pet funeral is £75.

Photo of a Pet Urn with paw prints on it

A bench on top of a grassy hill with a blue sky with white clouds

Advance Funeral Planning/Life Tribute Writing

Talking about dying is not always easy, particularly during the emotional time immediately following the death of a loved one.

Some people would prefer to discuss their funeral before the event to make this time easier for the people they leave behind, or maybe you would like to discuss your own ceremony when the time comes. If this is something that you would like to talk about, either for yourself or on behalf of someone else, please do get in touch.

The fee for the script preparation for Advanced Funeral Planning/Life Tribute Writing is £120.

Following any of the above Ending ceremonies, you will receive a commemorative record of the ceremony, together with a personalised memorial candle if you wish. You may decide to give small remembrance tokens to friends and relatives, for example in the form of wildflower seeds or candles.

The venue and timing of any ceremony is entirely your choice, and I will be happy to discuss your preferences for this with you, together with any other aspects you wish. You may like to add in optional additional elements to your ceremony and details of these can be found on the Finishing Touches page of this website

You will need to ensure that any registrations or other legal requirements are completed according to the law relating to the area in which you live.

Fees for Funeral, Burial and Memorial ceremonies are £190 and will usually be paid to me via the funeral director. Interment or scattering of ashes are free of charge if I have undertaken the Funeral, Burial or Memorial ceremony for your loved one. If this is not the case, fees start at £50 depending upon travelling distance.

There is no charge for Ending ceremonies for babies, children and young people up to the age of 18.