FAQs

I cover all London boroughs, plus Surrey, Middlesex, east and west Sussex, Essex, Hampshire and Kent.  I will travel nationwide by special arrangement

I offer Funeral Ceremonies (at either a burial ground or a crematorium), Memorial Services, Ash Interment, Life Event Ceremonies and Ceremony Script Writing.

This is dependant on what service you are requesting, please contact me directly for a quote using the contact button (I do not charge for babies or children under the age of 18)

You can either book me directly or tell your Funeral Director that you have found a Celebrant and ask them to contact me

I will arrange to meet with you at a mutually convenient time, ideally face to face.  This will be typically in your home, but it can be somewhere else if you wish, such as a friend's home or at a Funeral Director's premises.  It can also be done electronically if this is what you prefer.  You can have other people present if you wish, but in order to keep the meeting focused I normally say a maximum of 3 other people is a sensible number.  I will encourage you to share stories, anecdotes and memories about your loved one - this will help me to understand their character, interests and values.  We will also talk about your wishes for the ceremony, including the tone, style and any specific elements you want included.  You are free to contact me afterwards if there is anything further you want to add or clarify.

It varies, but typically it will last between 1-2 hours

Funerals led by a Civil Celebrant can be either religious or non -religious based.  You can choose to have religious prayers, readings or hymns but not rituals or blessings.  A Humanist funeral will have no religious aspects.  A Civil Celebrant will also conduct Humanist funerals, but in general a Humanist Celebrant will not conduct Civil funerals.  

Funerals led by a Celebrant are completely tailored and aimed to give thanks for the life of your loved one in any way you see fit.  A funeral led by a Minister tends to follow a more structured approach and can focus on scripture, rites, blessings, prayers and readings specific to a certain faith

Yes, please get in touch and I will be able to give you some support with this

Yes.  A funeral is a ceremony where the the person who has died is present, whereas at a memorial service the person who has died is not present and it's usually held some time after the funeral itself.  

Yes - before the service I will give both you and the Funeral Director a running order of the ceremony which will have all the details needed for service booklets.

Alternatively, I can help you source an independent printing company

No, however the majority of crematoria and burial chapels in the UK have live streaming and webcast facilities. You are welcome to use these services to stream the ceremony for a live broadcast and to download it as a keepsake. Alternatively you may choose to hire a videographer of your own choosing.

There is never a “one size fits all” approach to every funeral, but some common themes to bear in mind are:

Arrive at least 15 minutes early.

Ensure all mobile phones are on silent or airplane mode.

Dress appropriately - check with the family if there is a specific dress code.

Be mindful of language and try to keep conversations quiet - other mourners hearing is often heightened at a funeral.

Be mindful of where you sit - the chief mourners normally sit in the first 3 rows and then the remaining seats behind are filled - if you are a reader at a funeral it makes sense to sit at the isle seat.