I was inspired to change my career from teaching music and drama to becoming an Independent Celebrant when, in 2012, I read a poem at my mother in law’s funeral. I had such lovely comments after the ceremony that I trained with Civil Ceremonies Ltd. and have a Diploma in Celebrancy: Naming and Couples (QCF) and a Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy (QCF).
The funeral ceremony will focus on celebrating and reflecting the life of the deceased and the tribute will be respectful and highly personal.
I come to your home and share a cup of tea, you can explain the photo on the mantlepiece and have an ordinary conversation about planning this extraordinary occasion. Now I offer meetings by Zoom, phone, Skype, Whats app and email so that we all remain safe. I also organise Virtual Ceremonies online so that you can be in a “room” with relatives and friends.
As part of the ceremony you can sit in silence, play music or chat amongst yourselves, ask relatives and friends to talk about the person’s life then have a space where everyone can come up and share stories of your loved ones dreadful jokes! You can definitely laugh! You can light candles, place flowers and you can ask everyone to wear purple or Plymouth Argyle shirts. With gentle questioning, I find out about your loved one’s life then write the eulogy for you, I always give you a draft for you to change, adding memories as they occur, until it is perfect for you.
As a former music and drama teacher, I can advise you about poems and music. They are the most emotive elements of the ceremony and can stay in the hearts and minds of those attending indefinitely.
Whilst not a religious ceremony as such, religious content may be included, such as prayers or hymns.
There appears to be a growing demand for these types of ceremony and the feedback from families is excellent, expressing heartfelt thanks for a ceremony that provided the funeral that they believe the deceased would have wanted.
