Services
Ceremonies
While some celebrants offer ceremonies for funerals, weddings and births, my work is solely with families and friends who are recently bereaved and who are looking for a unique ceremony to say goodbye to their loved one which reflects their values and beliefs in life. This is where I feel I have the most to offer families and can really make a difference in my work, crafting a ceremony with love and care which does justice to the person who has died, to the life that they lived and which will stay long in the memory.
Some families know exactly what kind of funeral they want because they’ve had time to listen to what their loved one wanted. This can help inform the feel and style of ceremony. Others may have one or two ideas which can be helpful too. But if the death is sudden or unexpected, people will be reeling and in shock. Wherever you are, I will listen and work with you with kindness. I can offer as much or as little guidance and support as you want or need.
I don’t have any religious faith and I offer non-religious funeral ceremonies, celebrations of life and memorials for people who want some heart, spirit and soul in their farewells.
Where can we hold a funeral?
It may suit you to hold a funeral at the crematorium or burial ground but the choice is yours. You can hold a ceremony pretty much anywhere – in a barn, village hall, your home and garden, a pub, a field, a wood or wherever feels right for you and the person who has died. And, I’m sometimes asked by a family to help them create a ceremony to celebrate a life, after a cremation or burial, or for the scattering or burial of ashes.
How can I help?
If you know that you have a terminal diagnosis and would like the reassurance of having put in place a plan for what happens when you die, you are welcome to contact me and talk through your ideas. I can come and meet you and your family and help you to make some plans which can offer reassurance and peace of mind. Sometimes I’m approached by a family member who knows that a loved one is dying because they want to talk to me about how I might be able to help with a funeral when the time comes.
A phone call within 24 hours of your enquiry to arrange a meeting.
A meeting soon after to get to know the family and to plan the ceremony at a time and place to suit (usually lasts for approx. 2.5 hours).
Follow up calls with other family members or friends to help me understand what was important to the person who has died and how they lived their life.
Time to talk through your thoughts, concerns and hopes about the funeral and to offer ideas and suggestions about how the ceremony flows, discuss readings, music and possible contributions from friends and family.
I will write a beautifully crafted script for the ceremony and send a draft for your approval in time for your amendments to be made.
If needed, I can help you with writing a eulogy, offer support and feedback.
The day before the funeral, a reassuring phone call to check-in and run through the final arrangements.
I will always send a copy of the script sent to the funeral director to ensure the service can still be delivered should any unforeseen circumstances arise.
And finally, I will arrive well in advance and remain after the ceremony to say goodbye to you and see everyone out.
What will I do for you as a celebrant?
Most often, I am contacted by a funeral director to work with a family and either way, typically my services will include the following:
Where do I work?
I work throughout Gloucestershire and I am based in Nailsworth. If you would like me to hold a ceremony for you elsewhere in the country, I can and do travel, so please do get in touch.
Nicola, thank you so much. The ceremony was amazing. So graceful, so held, so mum. Everybody has commented on it. Huge thanks.
Kate
Celebrations of life
You may have a venue in mind which just feels like the right place to hold a ceremony – it could be a place that was important to your loved one, such as a pub, village hall or even your garden. Locally, Matara is a beautiful and accommodating place for an end-of-life celebration. Offering time, spaciousness and privacy, ceremonies held in venues like this allow for people to gather together without other pressures or time constraints.
If your arrangements look likely to be held over several days and venues, please do get in touch so that I can understand exactly what you are looking for and how I can assist.
Fees – starting from £575
Funeral ceremonies
Ceremonies fees may vary depending on where they are held, the length of the service and whether there is a second location involved such as a crematorium or burial. My fees reflect the different amounts of work and time it takes for me to meet with family and friends so that I can create, write and lead the ceremony.
Fees – starting from £400
Ashes scattering
If you are looking to hold a short ceremony for the scattering of ashes, please get in touch to talk about how I can help.
Funeral planning
Some people like to have their plans in place and contact me to talk through their funeral wishes, seek inspiration and to make some decisions. If you want to get things sorted so that others don’t have to, I can help. You are welcome to give me a call to find out more.