Testimonials
Testimonials and Feedback
Funeral Feedback and Testimonials
I am always so pleased to receive feedback from ceremonies as it helps me to improve as a Celebrant and to offer families the perfect ceremony for them.
I received these emails and Thank You Cards from families recently:
I just wanted to thank you again for the beautiful service you put together for dad, everyone commented on how lovely and personal it was and mum has asked me to book you for hers!!
Just wanted to say a big thank you on behalf of my family for creating a very special day for the funeral. I couldn’t have wished for anything better.
Thank you so much for the way you conducted the service today it was lovely. Although you didn’t know my mum you made it with such love and knowing. If my partner and I ever get to marry you’ll be the one to ask !!!
I just want to say thank you for the lovely funeral ceremony which you gave recently for my wife. It certainly helped to lift my spirits on what would have been a very sad day otherwise. Several people were watching online and I have had a lot of comments to say how much they enjoyed being able to take part. Many thanks
Just a quick email to say thank you so much for the service for our wonderful granddad. You really were extremely lovely and conducted it beautifully and as we wanted. From first contact to last you really made myself and my family feel at ease with everything to do with granddad’s funeral and from the bottom of my heart I really am grateful.
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:
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.
Just a note to say thank you for such a lovely celebration of life yesterday. Everyone who attended thought it was really wonderful and that you were such a good Celebrant. We had a very good get together here at home and it was a really happy day even if was a goodbye. Thank you so much for all your help and suggestions.
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.”
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
From the moment we met Sarah from our prewedding meet up I knew she would be the right person to conduct our Wedding Vow Renewal. Being terminally ill means that is was so important to get the wording just right. Making sure there wasn’t talk of the future but talk of everything we have achieved. Sarah’s words were moving yet upbeat which is exactly the type of people we are.
Thank you for making our special day one that we will remember forever.
Naomi and Graham
Simply the Best
Eva Cassidy’s beautiful voice rang out at a recent funeral for a well loved local man. His family chose Fields of Gold, Autumn Leaves and Somewhere over the Rainbow. The chapel was packed and my final words were,
“When I asked his family three words that best described him they replied;
He was SIMPLY THE BEST!”
The family wrote these words to me:
Sarah was absolutely perfect in every possible way. The service she gave was exactly what we had wanted, she read our eulogies perfectly and compassionately and treated us with empathy and sincere warmth. We have passed Sarah’s contact details to several people who said it was one of the loveliest funeral services they had ever attended. A sad day for us has now become a happier memory.
ervice 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.
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.
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”
Pebbles and Flowers Testimonials
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.
Celebrate their Love
Just a quick message to say a huge thank you for conducting our ceremony back in July. The day was more magical than we ever imagined it would be and writing our own vows etc. gave us the freedom to create a ceremony that was true to us as a couple. Our family and friends all complimented your delivery and we would like to thank you for helping us put the day together. We feel the ceremony perfectly reflected our history, gave us the opportunity to celebrate our love and solidified our commitment.
Charlotte and Harry Meads xx 
Family Testimonials
I received this feedback from three families after I had created and conducted the funerals of their loved ones recently. It is so lovely to know that I have helped them to celebrate the lives of their cherished friends and relatives.
*The complete service offered by Sarah Chapman was of the highest order. My sisters and I were extremely pleased and impressed with everything that she did and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone in the future.
*Everyone commented after the funeral on the high quality, both of the content and delivery of the ceremony.
*I have only complete praise for the way that Sarah Chapman conducted the service also the way she dealt with matters when we discussed my wishes for the service she was very helpful. Every thing she did was to a very high and professional standard
South Milton Wedding Testimonials
Amy and Robbie celebrated their wedding at The Barn, overlooking South Milton beach in the summer. They released balloons at the end to cheers and applause from their many guests. An amazing wedding full of laughter and tears as the sun light shimmered and sparkled on the sea.
We have gathered here to grant this couple all our best wishes and are about to set these balloons free in trust that all these wishes will be granted. Each balloon contains wild flower seeds which will grow where ever the balloon falls.
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.
Crossing the Bar
I received a thank you from a family whose mother loved the sea. They had chosen this beautiful poem by Tennyson as it was her favourite. We sang the hymn Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven as her family placed their flowers in memory of such a beautiful person.
A brief note to formally thank you for officiating at Mum’s funeral on Monday
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 !
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Alfred Lord Tennyson
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!
Sand Ceremony Testimonials
Sara brought sand from Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia where she spent a lot of her time before moving to England.
Jon brought sand from Teignmouth, Devon and is where Jonathan and Sara’s new life in England began.
As the two containers of sand poured into the vase, the separate colours of sand blend into a new colour. Sara and Jon have now blended their families into a new family, as they start their journey in marriage, loving and strong as husband and wife, as inseparable as these grains of sand.
This is just a quick email to say a massive THANK YOU for celebrating our wedding renewal last Saturday. It was a truly beautiful ceremony and one that we will remember with as much fondness as our Australia one. Our guests continue to comment on how lovely it was and how much they enjoyed being a part of it.
Sara & Jonathan Dunn 14th January 2017
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
Testimonials from a Family
I received some lovely heartfelt feedback recently from a family who had lost their mum.
Sarah was wonderful, easy to talk to, empathetic and had some lovely suggestions for readings for the service. We were still in shock following my mum’s death. Sarah was so helpful at this stressful time for us and from the disjointed information we provided she put together a wonderful service which was exactly what we wanted and perfect for my mum. Than
k you.
Family
It’s knowing where your roots are
That sometimes gives you wings.
It’s knowing there’s a place to go
To escape the awful things.
It’s knowing there will always be
At least one person on your side
Who’ll listen to your problems
And go along with you for the ride.
It’s comfort and it’s heartache
It’s pride and disappointment too.
It’s holding on and letting go
Cherishing old and accepting new.
It’s waiting for the next little one
To come and steal your heart
And wondering how being called Nanny
Is such a warm and fuzzy start.
It’s watching time go racing by
days, then weeks, then years.
It’s missing those who go too soon
To mix your laughter with your tears.
It’s remembering and forgetting
Loving and arguing too.
It was God’s plan from the start
And it’s still holding true.
So hold each day like precious crystal
That might break if you let go
For roots and wings are compatible things
Make sure your children know..
Faye Cook
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.
From this day forward,
You shall not walk alone.
My heart will be your shelter,
And my arms will be your home.
Jiapeng and Joyce sent me their photographs with a lovely note:
Laughing Gran
I was privileged to perform the funeral ceremony recently of a lady I had known for a few years. She was always smiling with a twinkle in her eye!
As we were only allowed to have 10 people in the chapel, her ceremony was live-streamed to family and friends around the world.
There was lots of smiling – and tears – and her family agreed it was a beautiful celebration of her life. One of her granddaughters had brought along this amazing tribute to their Laughing Gran!
Hand Fasting Testimonials
When I first met Sue and Graham they told me they wanted a ceremony that reflected their personalities and was full of joy and laughter. As you can see, between us we achieved this and much more.
After lighting a candle in memory of their loved ones, we passed two ribbons around the circle of guests –
Gold for the masculine energy and represents creativity, financial richness and Magical power and Silver for the female energy and symbolises emotional stability, dreams and protection from negative energies.
Their rings were threaded onto the ribbons and blessed by family and friends
Their close friend Tony tied the knot before Sue and Graham made their vows to each other.
“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”.
Thank you so much for conducting our wedding ceremony, it was perfect in every way, thanks to your patience, kindness and guidance.
You took the time to get to know us and understand exactly what we wanted, making the ceremony so beautiful and personal to us.
The day was filled with so much love and laughter. Our guests enjoyed being involved in the “circle of ring blessing” and loved that we shared our own vows, both funny and emotional with them following the handfasting.
Many said that they had never been to a wedding quite like ours, using words like unique, beautiful and wonderful.
Thank you again for a perfect day.
Love and Blessings
Sue & Graham
Celebration of Life Testimonials
I received this lovely note from the family of a wonderful lady. It is heartwarming that I can help families celebrate their loved ones lives and create a ceremony that is personal and unique to them.
Naming Ceremony for Twins Testimonials
I recently created and performed a Naming ceremony for gorgeous twins – one boy and one girl.
As they had held hands since they were born, I also performed a Hand Fasting ceremony using cords
Orange for good luck and good fortune, yellow for learning and knowledge and green for balance and peace. All of these elements that their parents would like to bring to their children’s lives.
I received a beautiful thank you letter:
I just wanted to write to say thank you so much. The ceremony was so perfect and exactly what I had imagined. There were some lovely comments from the guests about the feel of the day, and the lovely words that made the naming really special. People even approved of the length!!
Seriously though, you really made it feel very individual and spiritual, without feeling contrived or forced. I now have fantastic memories! Thank you so much!
Lily of the Valley Wedding Testimonials
Flowers are important to Chris and Louise and they chose Lily of the Valley for their ceremony. Apart from being one of Lou’s favourite flowers, Lily of the Valley is the May birth flower and it is said to mean “Return of Happiness” It is also said that to hand Lily of the Valley to your loved one shows that your relationship is finally complete. A beautiful ceremony for a very special couple – and their gorgeous dogs, Izzy and Dexter – at Endsleigh House Hotel near Tavistock, Devon.
Callington Gospel Choir are an excellent choir and sung Lovely Day for their Entrance Music and closed the ceremony with Happy Day. Best Wishes and much love to the happy couple.
Lou and Chris wrote:
Thank you for making our day so special. It was a wonderful romantic ceremony and we were so happy with the words. All our guests commented on how lovely it was. I would highly recommend Sarah for your special days.
Goodbye Grandad
I was proud to perform the funeral of a very popular local man recently. The Chapel was full and the memories shared afterwards were full of humour and warmth. I received this thank you card today from his wife.
Dear Sarah
My sincere and heartfelt thanks for such a beautiful service you gave for my beloved husband. Our relatives and friends were deeply touched.
The grandchildren chose this lovely poem for their beloved grandad:
Poem: Goodbye Grandad
So heaven has received another angel
The night sky another star
Your life has become a loving memory
I know you will never be far.
I know you are watching over me
As my life goes on
I will treasure the memories I have of you
I cant believe you’re gone.
You were a loving caring grandad
You were there for me a lot
You will always hold a place in my heart
A loving treasured spot.
You were really one in a million
A cut above the rest
All that knew you would agree
You simply were the best.
So grandad I will say goodbye
I love and miss you with all my heart
But as long as I have my loving memories
We will never be too far apart.
Sarah Harrison
Clifftop Wedding Testimonials
A glorious day for Aimee and Tom’s wedding as I performed a Flower Ceremony as part of their personal Wedding Ceremony.
They chose pink peonies for a happy marriage, white roses for new beginnings, purity and charm and blue hydrangeas for gratitude. These were the elements that they would like to bring to their marriage. Family and friends placed their flowers in the vase along with all of their hopes, best wishes and love for them both.
They wrote a beautiful email afterwards with their photographs and these words:
We wanted to say a big thank you for the incredible ceremony, so many people commented on how lovely it was. Thanks again
Maggie’s Ceremony Testimonials
I received wonderful feedback from my friend Chris Dew recently. I felt pleased and privileged to perform her mother’s funeral ceremony and I find it hard to believe that my relationship with her lovely family has lasted for over 30 years! At the end of the ceremony I handed out paper hearts of forget me not seeds so that year after year the flowers will blossom in memory of Maggie.
I have known Sarah for many years so l had no hesitation in asking her to conduct the service for our final farewell to my mother. Sarah is passionate about her work and she sensitively and carefully guided us through what should be included in our service. She had a wealth of ideas to make the service personal and meaningful.
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!
Hand Fasting by the Sea Testimonials
Sarah was a fantastic help from the first time we contacted her. She offered great guidance and advice and helped us create a ceremony that suited us. Sarah conducted a beautiful ceremony that we will never forget. Many of our guests commented on how lovely and engaging the ceremony was. We are thoroughly thrilled. Thank you!
Chloe and Mark
Warm and Balanced
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 o
f 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.
My Teeth by Pam Ayres
Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth,
And spotted the dangers beneath
All the toffees I chewed,
And the sweet sticky food.
Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth.
I wish I’d been that much more willin’
When I had more tooth there than fillin’
To give up gobstoppers,
From respect to me choppers,
And to buy something else with me shillin’.
When I think of the lollies I licked
And the liquorice allsorts I picked,
Sherbet dabs, big and little,
All that hard peanut brittle,
My conscience gets horribly pricked. etc, etc.
The Dash by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars…the house…the cash
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?
Testimonials from Civil Funerals
The Institute of Civil Funerals sends out feedback forms on my behalf to all the families I have written and performed ceremonies for. Here is a selection:
With 250 people attending they all said it was a very tasteful service.
I have nothing by praise for the way my mother’s funeral was conducted. Everything was perfect, she would have loved it!
I have recommended Sarah to all and sundry, it wasn’t Happy Clappy but respectful with a hint of Mum’s humour.
Excellent ceremony. I would recommend to anyone who may ask for the best person, Sarah, to go to. Could not have asked for a better service.
Feedback
I have now performed 52 funerals and met 52 amazing families with their own stories to tell. Humour can also be part of the celebration of life. One family asked for Tony Hancock’s The Blood Donor to be played at their loved ones funeral and everyone left with a smile on their face!
The best compliment to me is the family telling me after the ceremony that “He would have loved it – this ceremony said everything about him”
The institute of Civil Funerals sends me feedback returns regularly. One family replied:
Sarah was very skilled at eliciting fond memories of Mum from all the family and building them into a picture of her. She was also especially helpful when designing the service, in making it explicitly OK to include/not include religious aspects – we chose to have a hymn but no Bible readings, etc. I have recommended her to several people since.
None of them understood the term Celebrant – I think some education is needed. I am doing my bit.
This funeral included so much humour and love from her family and took place at East Devon Crematorium near Exeter. We then had Afternoon Tea at their loved ones Residential Home.
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.