Testimonials

Testimonials and Feedback

Family Blessing

Woodland Wedding Testimonials

Selena and Mark celebrated their wedding by the Oak Tree at Middle Coombe Farm near Tiverton.

After the legal ceremony in the barn, a fiddler led the happy couple followed by all their guests up to the Oak Tree for a special ceremony to bind their family together.

Selena had made the Hand Fasting cord from five ribbons so symbolise the five members of their new family and two of their children tied the knot – baby Sam was too little but gurgled happily!

Selena Aylett wrote:

“I must say a HUGE thank you for your ceremony. People described it as “magical”. So many people loved it and they all said you were great. Thanks for making it so special.”

May the blessing of each of us be felt by you.

Go now to walk the ways of the world together, and may your days be good and long upon the earth.

***  Click here for a Testimonial from Selena and Mark.  (1 minute) ***

Wedding Ceremony at Bovey Castle

With it’s rich history, effortless charm and elegance, Bovey Castle in Devon was the perfect venue for Matt and Pip’s Wedding Ceremony.

I closed the ceremony with the Blessing:

May the blessing of each of us be felt by you.

Go now to walk the ways of the world together, and may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Pip and Matt sent me these wonderful words: 

We will be forever grateful for the positive energy you brought to our day and in such a talented way! Thank you so much!

 

Funeral Feedback and Testimonials

I have received such wonderful emails recently from funerals I have written and performed for families.  It has been especially difficult for them all throughout Lockdown.

Thank you so much for the lovely Funeral Service for our father.  It was a wonderfully positive service that was so individual, and perfectly tailored to how we wanted to say “Goodbye” to our dear Dad. Everyone said how touching it was; and what a beautiful service it had been.  Thank you again for all your sympathy and understanding, and for the support, care and consideration you gave to us at this difficult time.  With grateful thanks

Thank you Sarah from the bottom of my heart for organising mum’s lovely celebration service. Thanks to you that is what it was, a celebration of a long and interesting life. Everything was perfect.  One friend was saying it was warm ,honest and real just like her and several saying how good you were, even one saying that he wanted exactly that kind of send off.  You are a very special lady.

I cannot thank you enough for conducting such a beautiful ceremony for my mum. You spoke of her as if you were her friend. Your voice is so soothing and settling. Everyone said how lovely the service was and how good you’re. Just know In moments of utter grief having a person like you who made this a lot less stressful for me means a lot to me.

Thank you for making my husband’s service so special. He had a great send off with family and friends. I am sure he would have been chuffed. He always liked a good “do”. The service was beautiful and everything that had to be said was said. I am sure in normal circumstances the crematorium would have been packed. Thank you once again.

Heartfelt Ceremony and Testimonials

Just thought I would drop you a line to say how amazing you were at my nieces wedding yesterday.  You held us all in the palm of your hands with your wonderful personality and I felt secure in the knowledge that the whole ceremony was going to be perfect…and it was!  It was so lovely for us all to have a part in the Flower Ceremony and my brother felt proud to be able to tie the hand fasting knot.  You are a special person and I would recommend you highly.  Thank you for such a heartfelt ceremony. Myrna xx

 

Family Feedback and Testimonials

Families always give me insightful and excellent feedback after each funeral so that I can improve my service to them.  Here are a few that I received recently.

Sarah Chapman the Celebrant, who carried out the service on my behalf, was absolutely brilliant.  I don’t think I could ask for, or get, any better.  It is my intention when my time comes to have the same sort of service and Sarah.

Sarah was lovely and caring and simply the best person we could have hoped for to help us through.  While it was a civil ceremony. she ensured that it was conducted in a respectful manner, especially the committal of the coffin.  Relatives and friends who attended said that it was the best service they had ever attended and my husband’s parents, who are in their 80s, have expressed a desire for similar when the time comes.

The lady concerned (Sarah) was excellent dealing with the situation in a friendly, kindly and sympathetic manner.  We would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone.

It has been my pleasure to make sure that each ceremony is individual to each family and conducted their way.

Testimonials

I created and performed a funeral ceremony for a wonderful family in November last year.  The tribute was so full of humour and love that it warmed us all on a very windy, cold day.

“Sarah was very sensitive, caring and her approach was completely appropriate for a time of great vulnerability.  She has a good sense of humour and made me feel very comfortable given that we had never met before.  I would thoroughly recommend her.”

Naming Ceremony Testimonials

On a wet windy day in Wembury, Devon, family and friends gathered together to celebrate naming a gorgeous little girl with a huge smile.  The afternoon was full of laughter and some tears followed by wonderful cakes and sandwiches and, of course, a great cup of tea!

Her parents wrote this:

Sarah was fantastic in helping us to make our daughter’s naming ceremony a really special and personal event. She met with us beforehand to discuss ideas and pull the ceremony together, then provided clear direction and a sense of formality on the day. Many of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed the event and we were very grateful to Sarah for achieving this. – Thank you from the Walker family, Modbury”

 

Funeral Wishes Testimonials

To make sure that your loved ones KNOW what you would like for your Funeral, I have designed a Funeral Wishes document to give to your Next of Kin. I helped Jane and Gerry to create their Funeral Wishes and they have sent a lovely letter to me saying thank you:

Gerry and I would like to express our gratitude to Sarah Chapman for the sensitive, caring way she guided us through our “Funeral Wishes”.

So many things we hadn’t even thought about.

Definitely a very worthwhile document to leave behind so that the pressure is taken away from the family at a very difficult time.

She gave us the time we needed to make sure all our wishes were included.

 Sarah, with her gentle humour and wonderful personality, made something none of us want to think about an experience we could face.

The family now have a useful document that will hopefully make passing a celebration of life.

Thank you so much.

Renewal of Vows Testimonials

I just wanted to send you an quick note to thank you for all your help with arranging the service for my Grandma today and also for the warm way that you delivered all the messages.  It was a sad day for me, but also great to share some of those memories and lovely photos of her!

Kitley House Renewal of Vows Testimonials

Kitley House Hotel was the venue for a very special Renewal of Vows ceremony. I was honoured to be asked to conduct their ceremony and delighted to join in with the Afternoon Tea afterwards and chat to their family and guests. Sharon and Andy wrote to me a few days later:

Dear Sarah

Thank you so much for conducting our renewal of vows last weekend.  It was beautifully put together and everyone was really moved.  The flower ceremony worked a treat and your sensitivity and professionalism impressed everyone.

I was glad you could help us with the cream tea, we were all fit to burst afterwards!  

Thanks again Sarah IT WAS BRILLIANT  

Love Sharon and Andy

Sharpham Burial Testimonials

It was a cold, crisp sunny day late last year when we met at Sharpham House to celebrate the life of an amazing lady.   Her daughter read this heartfelt poem:

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. 

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. 

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days. 

I’d like tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun 

Of happy memories that I leave, when life is done. 

Anon

We then made our way to the Burial ground to say goodbye as we listened to the birds sing and watch the sun sparkle on the River Dart as it wound its way past the vineyard.  Her family scattered rose petals on her wicker coffin in memory of all the love they had shared over the years.

Using a Funeral Celebrant helped us as a family to make the right decisions and choices for my mother’s funeral at a time when everything was overwhelming.

Sarah also gave us extra support at a very stressful time, for which I am truly grateful, and we were able to plan my mother’s funeral in a way that did not feel rushed or hasty.

Sarah helped to make the day a celebration of my mother’s life, which was exactly what my father wanted and my mother would have loved.  

We had lovely comments from friends and family about the venue, service (poetry and music), the natural burial ground and committal, lunch and sharing of memories – all of which Sarah guided us through.

With hindsight I would have involved Sarah much earlier on.

Funeral Candle Lighting

“The service Sarah conducted was truly memorable for all the right reasons. She spoke sincerely and sympathetically. Better than any expectations. She always seemed to be available for us and favourable comments were made by all attending. I would recommend her without hesitation.”

Happy Memories

Josie and her mum arrived in a horse drawn carriage and she exchanged rings and vows with Robin under the oak tree at Higher Eggbeer Farm near Exeter. A unique and personal ceremony for a wonderful couple.

“Thank you Sarah, that was all beautiful. Thanks for a lovely wedding! It was amazing and we have very happy memories.
We both had the best times of our lives X”

Such moving words as we celebrated the life of this lovely man.

They both regarded this time as their “Happy laughter years”.  As they both  loved their garden, they would bring back plants and pebbles back from their trips and he would place them in the garden for them to admire and reminisce about their holidays.  There was always so much laughter as they scrambled over beaches collecting the chosen stones.

His partner wrote these words:

From the beginning to the end I could not have wished for it better. Sarah even took me up the few steps to place a flower on the coffin and then she helped me back again.  The celebrant was very good right to the end and I have told so many people how good it all was that, when my time of leaving this world, I told my son that I want the same celebrant, Sarah, to do my funeral.

So many memories and so much laughter.

Testimonials

Bears was the theme for the celebration of this amazing lady.  Her family sent me this feedback:

Sarah did a really excellent job.  She was very helpful with the choice of poems and other sensitive wording.  She was also very kind and presented the ceremony perfectly, she did us proud.

If ever there is a tomorrow when we are not together
There is something you must always remember
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think
But the most important thing is, even though we are apart,
I’ll always be with you
Winnie the Pooh

Haldon Belvedere Testimonials

Bryan and I wanted to thank you so so much for performing our wedding ceremony. It was the most incredible , amazing day

The ceremony was everything we could hoped for and was truly beautiful, that was absolutely down to your planning, development and sensitive guidance for the proceedings. 

Helen and Bryan celebrated their wedding with their family and friends at Halden Belvedere near Exeter. Bryan had written a poem to his beloved Helen and I was privileged to read it on the day. The Flower Ceremony bound their families together and, after the Hand Fasting, Bryan and Helen read their Vows to each other with tears and laughter.

A bespoke ceremony written with love for a very special couple.

Bring Me Sunshine

This amazing lady was 99 years old and the ceremony lasted an hour as all her family wanted me to share happy memories of their Mum, grandma and Great grandma.  We left to “Bring Me Sunshine” as she adored Morecambe and Wise!

Sarah was fantastic and showed genuine interest and compassion throughout.  She was amazing and made everything so easy and stress free as well as giving an accurate and sensitive account of our Mums life.  I was completely satisfied with how the service went and I couldn’t have chosen a better person in Sarah.

One of my extended family members said she was so impressed she was going to change her own funeral plans. 

Perfect!

Anastasia and Martin celebrated their Wedding at Bovey Castle witnessed by their family and friends who were amazed when the rings were delivered by an OWL!

I look forward to receiving more photographs.

Thank you so much for making our wedding the most memorable day of our life. It was PERFECT and it couldn’t have been done without your hard work.  We continue to receive comments from guests about how amazing everything was. Thank you for reading our vows and  bringing tears to so many people’s eyes. It was such a special day and we will cherish the memories for a long time. We will send pictures for the “portfolio” when we get them but didn’t want to delay any longer sending our gratitude! Martin and I are eternally grateful.

Cambodian/Devon Renewal of Vows Testimonials

Alin and Mark met in Phnom Penh in Cambodia in 2007 and when Mark first saw her, all he could think about was her beautiful smile.  Three childrenhave brought joy and happiness to them both and they look forward to sharing many more happy family times in the future.

They decorated their ceremony table in the traditional Cambodian way with fruit, flowers and candles. Amanda and Monica threw rose petals to lead their mum down the aisle and their son, David, was an excellent Ring Bearer.

After lighting three candles they asked their guests to bring forward red roses to place in a vase to represent love, respect and romance – affirmations for their relationship.

The ceremony also included Hand Fasting – Alin made a beautiful cord in blue, red and white – the colours of the Union Jack but also the Cambodian flag!  She wove in birthstones for their children.

Mark’s mother, Jane, wrote a heartfelt thank you the next day.

Wow! Just wanted to say another big thank you.  The ceremony blew everyone away especially the touches that you brought to it, bringing the Cambodian and British cultures together in such a lovely way.  There were quite a few surreptitious tears too.  Everyone also loved the thoughts about Alin’s family and those no longer with us.  All in all, it was a marvellous day, meaningful, emotional, poignant, ecstatic and fun.  Everything and more than Mark and Alin had hoped for.

If you ever need a reference, count me in.  I thought you were totally wonderful.  
With much love from all of us

PS  Amanda is available for petal collections now!

Wonderful Testimonials

I am always so moved when I receive wonderful feedback from families.  It makes a big difference to me as it confirms that I am offering them ceremonies that celebrate their loved ones lives in the best way possible.  The Institute of Civil Funerals sent me this feedback recently:

We had never heard of a ‘celebrant’ until this occasion, and were so grateful that the funeral directors recommended Sarah. Sarah gave our mum a fabulous send-off, for which we are truly grateful. It was warm, sincere and full of our mum’s unique character. Mum would have loved it. Most people commented on how ‘lovely’ it was. We can’t thank Sarah enough, she was sensitive,  efficient and just great.

After the ceremony everyone was invited to the beach for fish and chips followed by an ice cream as this was one of Mum’s favourite places!

Glad That I Live

We raised the roof with this glorious hymn at the Crematorium as we celebrated the life of a local lady who was nearly 90 years old.  Her daughter wrote these words:

I was very happy with the service the celebrant provided, both in coming to our home and the actual funeral.  I had not had to arrange a funeral before and was very grateful for the help she gave me.

Glad That I Live 

Glad that I live am I;
That the sky is blue;
Glad for the country lanes,
And the fall of dew.

After the sun, the rain,
After the rain the sun;
This is the way of life,
Till the work be done.

All that we need to do,
Be we low or high,
Is to see that we grow,
Nearer to God on high.

Wedding Testimonials

Flamingos and Sunshine – Isobel and Chris celebrated their wedding on the farm in Cornwall with a candle ceremony, flower ceremony and exchange of rings.

Thank you so much Sarah for conducting our personal, poignant and most beautiful ceremony.  Many of our guests had never been to a Celebrant ceremony before and they commented on how it was one of the most  special and unique wedding ceremonies they had ever been too.

Happiness and best wishes to our gorgeous couple.

Absolute Beginners

I’ve nothing much to offer

There’s nothing much to take

I’m an absolute beginner

And I’m absolutely sane

As long as we’re together

The rest can go to hell……

……….I absolutely love you

But we’re absolute beginners

But if my love is your love

We’re certain to succeed

David Bowie

Photograph taken by Tracey Warbey

Mums Ceremony

The sun came out at East Devon Crematorium for a lady who had been married for over 70 years.

Her son wrote to thank me:

We were all very pleased with the service and I think Mum would have been too !

I greatly valued your help and support with the planning and we are all indebted to you for your professionalism and skill on the day

Well done and thank you !

Renewal of Vows Blessing Testimonials

On a beautiful hot day in early June, Naomi and Graham renewed their vows – again.  I have been privileged to create and perform Renewal of Vows Ceremonies for this lovely couple each year.  Thank you Naomi and Graham for asking me to be a part of your amazing story.

This couple are awe inspiring as, after a diagnosis of cancer in 2012, they set up The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation and now organise and fund weddings for those affected by terminal and life-limiting illnesses, helping them to enjoy married life before it’s too late.

http://www.weddingwishingwell.org.uk/

“Thank you so much once again for writing and conducting such a beautiful blessing for us.  6th June is so special to us, not just because it is out anniversary, but because we get to spend it with you.  You are a special friend.”

Testimonials for a Wonderful Ceremony

So lovely to find this in my inbox today!  It was a pleasure to write and perform a ceremony for such a wonderful man.

Just wanted to thank you so much for creating such a beautiful service for my Uncle.

I really appreciate your approach to funeral services namely “celebrating” someone’s life as opposed to commiserating their loss, this results in a lighter feeling service which is much more positively focused.

It was lovely to meet you today & thank you again, I thought you were wonderful!!

Kebar and Andrew’s Testimonials

Kebar and Andrew said their Vows in front of all their family and friends at East Soar Farm in the gorgeous barn.    After exchanging rings, they played We’re going to be friends by The White Stripes as their friends Fin and Brian handed round the chocolates ready for the Chocolate Ritual.  Kebar sent me these beautiful photos taken by The Vintage Wedding Photographer  and wrote:

Our wedding day was absolutely amazing and we are so happy that Sarah was part of our special day. We love East Soar Outdoor Experience and without Sarah’s help our wedding day would not have been possible! We are so grateful to have met you and that you helped us to get married, by leading our blessing, in the place that we felt most connected to. Thank you Sarah.”

Musical Funeral

I always go to the family’s home so that we can share a cup of tea, they can explain the photo on the mantlepiece and have an ordinary conversation about planning this extraordinary occasion.  It is always lovely to receive feedback from a ceremony and confirm I have done a good job!  We listened to his favourite composer, George Gershwin, playing I Got Rhythm as he definitely had lots of rhythm!

Just wanted to thank you so much for creating such a beautiful service for my Uncle.

I really appreciate your approach to funeral services namely “celebrating” someone’s life as opposed to commiserating their loss, this results in a lighter feeling service which is much more positively focused.

I thought you were wonderful!!

Garden Ceremony Testimonials

Ellie and Joe wrote:  I just wanted to say thank you for everything you did you make our ceremony so perfect

It was a glorious day as we celebrated Ellie and Joe’s wedding in Ellie’s parents garden.  We watched the bride and her father following her Bridesmaids and Flower Girl as they walked from the house to the field to meet her handsome groom.

Naming Ceremonies Feedback

I love Naming Ceremonies as I get to know the families and children beforehand and together we can create a perfect and unique ceremony to celebrate their child’s name and promises for the future.  I also love receiving feedback from my ceremonies and here are a few Testimonials:

I approached Sarah Chapman after needing a private celebrant for my daughters naming do. Sarah helped me by reassuring me on the phone that it was something she could and would love to do. We met up and discussed the plans, Sarah is kind, dedicated and just over all a lovely lady. The result was amazing! We had a beautiful day with our friends and family and Sarah kept it all together perfectly!! I found Sarah to be so helpful and I would without a doubt recommend her to anyone, thanks again Sarah”

Ruth and Dave

Sarah was fantastic in helping us to make our daughter’s naming ceremony a really special and personal event. She met with us beforehand to discuss ideas and pull the ceremony together, then provided clear direction and a sense of formality on the day. Many of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed the event and we were very grateful to Sarah for achieving this. – Thank you from the Walker family,

We were so pleased to have Sarah as the Celebrant for our son’s Naming Day.  Sarah was friendly and professional all the way through, helping us to understand the role of a celebrant, develop our plans for the Naming Day and gave us lots of useful ideas for us to work with.  We were able to make the day really personal and just as we wanted.

Sarah was also our Knight in Shining Armour and saved the day when our helium balloons went flat on the morning of the ceremony.  Sarah rushed out to buy us some more, even though it was a Sunday, so that we could end the ceremony just as we planned.

I couldn’t recommend Sarah highly enough as a Celebrant, she made our special day really special!”

Megan and Nick

Castle Wedding Testimonials

Joyce and Jiapeng chose the beautiful Bovey Castle Hotel in Devon for their wedding ceremony.  Their families came all the way from China and, on one of the hottest days of the year, they witnessed the love between the couple and their gorgeous daughter Emma.

To unite their families I performed a Candle Ceremony.  I invited both mothers to come forward to light two candles representing the love and support of their families.  I then invited Jiapeng and Joyce to take the candles and light the centre candle.  As the one light cannot be divided so they would be united from this day forth and go forward into a shining lifetime together.

Joyce and her mother made the Hand Fasting cord together and all the guests placed pink roses, a symbol of grace, joy, admiration and happiness, in the vase along with all of their hopes, best wishes and love for them both.

I received this beautiful letter all the way from America today!  Mike and Maryam wrote:

Thank you so much for making our special day so unique, intimate and tailored to us as a couple.  Everyone raved about what a beautiful ceremony it was!

I received this lovely message on my Facebook page recently after their mum’s funeral:

Sarah has been there for my family on two occasions now. She guided us and supported us through the funeral ceremony for our Father in  and again recently, when we lost our beloved Mum in the thick of the 2020 lockdown crisis!

Sarah is calming and thoughtful. She knows the local Funeral Directors well and they work seamlessly together to guide you through the fog and fear of losing someone.

Thank you Sarah, for everything!

Feel No Guilt in Laughter

Just received Feedback from a lovely family about their beloved father’s ceremony:

“Sarah assisted my family and I in the creation of a ceremony in celebration of my father’s life with the utmost professionalism.  Her gentle probing and compassion helped us all tease out special memories and ideas for a most memorable and fitting farewell.  I received many compliments “a perfect goodbye” and “the ceremony had your dad written all over it” are two of many that come to mind.  Thank you Sarah.”

The Closing music was Morecambe and Wise singing “Bring Me Sunshine”

Poem: Feel No Guilt in Laughter

Feel no guilt in laughter, he’d know how much you care.

Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.

You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to.

He’d hope that you could carry on the way you always do.

So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared,

The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.

Let memories surround you. A word someone may say

Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day,

That brings him back as clearly as though he were still here,

And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.

For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart

And he will live forever locked safely within your heart.

Anon

Woodland Wedding Testimonials

Phil owns a wood near Linkinhorne, Cornwall and asked me to perform a wedding ceremony there to celebrate 18 years of being together with his beloved Shari.

At this point on their journey together they wanted to take this time, in this beautiful place with family and friends, to acknowledge and celebrate the journey so far and also to look ahead.

Their guests collected flowers and leaves from the woodland and I asked them all to come forward and place them in the wooden platter (made by Phil) as a symbol of their unity.

The Circle of Blessing Ceremony had two ribbons, one was green for growth, healing, home and peace. The other ribbon was brown for stability, protection of the household and to strengthen their relationship.  Their family rings were passed around the circle for their family and friends to bless.

Phil and Shari exchanged rings and I performed a Hand Fasting ceremony to seal their love.

“Shari and Phil, look to all your tomorrows with sustained hope and a strong commitment to your marriage.  May those of you who have witnessed this ceremony continue to support them, honour and respect their relationship and wish them joy in their future.”

We drank a toast to the happy couple out of wooden goblets lovingly made by Phil from trees in his wood.

Thanks again for helping to make our day very individual and special.

We were very happy – even in the rain!

Shari and Phil

Autumn Leaves

A windy wet day for the ceremony of a popular man took place in Exeter Crematorium.  If you have never heard Eva Cassidy sing Autumn Leaves please do so now.  It is one of the most moving songs I have heard.  His daughter wrote to me:

 I did just want to thank you myself for the most wonderful service you gave for my dear Dad.
There was not a dry eye amongst our friends and family, many of whom said it was one of the loveliest services they had been to. So thank you for making our words heartfelt and extra special and for the beautiful poems you included. It could not have been more perfect and exactly
 what we had wanted.  They chose this poem to remember their beloved husband and father.

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. 

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days. 

I’d like tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun 

Of happy memories that I leave, when life is done. 

Anon

Torre Abbey Wedding Testimonials

I received this email from Colin and Bonita after I performed their wedding ceremony at Torre Abbey in Torquay.  Even though it rained all day the couple glowed with love and happiness throughout the ceremony and the rest of the day.  It was a privilege to be a part of their day.

They included a Rose Ceremony binding their families together:

A single rose has always meant only one thing.  To give a rose is to say “I love you”  Please take these roses and exchange them.  In so doing, your first gift to each other will be the gift of love.

My wife Bonita Matthews and I were introduced to Sarah by a mutual friend. Following our first meeting to discuss our wedding ceremony, we knew that Sarah would be perfect to deliver exactly what we wanted. Sarah took time to get to know us so that she could provide us with a very personal and bespoke service. Our ceremony was wonderful, beyond all our expectations. We have been inundated with comments from our guests commending Sarah on what a relaxing, enjoyable and memorable experience the ceremony was. Thank you Sarah……beautiful and perfect in every way.  

Afterglow

It was a cold, crisp sunny day late last year when we met at Sharpham House to celebrate the life of an amazing lady.   Her daughter read this heartfelt poem:

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. 

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. 

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days. 

I’d like tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun 

Of happy memories that I leave, when life is done. 

Anon

We then made our way to the Burial ground to say goodbye as we listened to the birds sing and watch the sun sparkle on the River Dart as it wound its way past the vineyard.  Her family scattered rose petals on her wicker coffin in memory of all the love they had shared over the years.

Using a Funeral Celebrant helped us as a family to make the right decisions and choices for my mother’s funeral at a time when everything was overwhelming.

Sarah also gave us extra support at a very stressful time, for which I am truly grateful, and we were able to plan my mother’s funeral in a way that did not feel rushed or hasty.

Sarah helped to make the day a celebration of my mother’s life, which was exactly what my father wanted and my mother would have loved.  

We had lovely comments from friends and family about the venue, service (poetry and music), the natural burial ground and committal, lunch and sharing of memories – all of which Sarah guided us through.

With hindsight I would have involved Sarah much earlier on.

Chapel of Love Testimonials

Laura and Adam’s wedding day at Muddifords Court Country House, Willand, Cullompton was glorious.  Laura walked down the aisle on her father’s arm to “Going To The Chapel Of Love” by the Dixie Cups and their vows were heartfelt and beautiful.  They brought a tear to the eyes of all their family and friends.  After blessing their rings and lighting a candle as a symbol of their unity, Adam kissed his bride.  As Laura wrote to me:

“It was an absolute pleasure to have Sarah as part of our wedding day. As soon as we met her we knew she would do an excellent job and would guide us through giving us one less thing to worry about. Many of our guests commented on what a wonderful and refreshing service it was, so personalised for us. We really feel that Sarah’s input added something very special to our day.”

Pam Ayres Poem

It was such a pleasure to write and perform this ceremony for the family.  Their mother’s favourite poem was” I Wish I’d Looked After My Teeth” by Pam Ayres so I read it for them on the day and family and friends left with smiles on their faces.  They wrote afterwards:

My mum’s funeral was perfect in every way.  We could not have asked for a more sympathetic or respectful celebrant to oversee the ceremony.  Every part of the funeral was professionally done and we couldn’t have wished for a more considerate or thoughtful service.  We were left with a lovely warm feeling that took away some of the sadness.

We were all very pleased with every aspect of the funeral.

Elevenses 

Music by Glen Miller, Vera Lynn and Nat King Cole brought back such happy memories for the family of this lovely lady.  Her granddaughter shared some wonderful words about her beloved Nana 

“And that is how I’ll always picture her – looking perfect – big smile on her face, so happy to see me.”

and her favourite time of the day was – Elevenses!

Thank you so much for what you did for us
Personally you made me feel very comfortable from the moment we met at a sad time for the family.