ARRANGE THE BEST POSSIBLE FUNERAL WITH A TOP CELEBRANT AND MAKE IT A CELEBRATION OF LIFE!
I'm a modern compassionate Civil Celebrant or Independent Celebrant who will help to plan your own or your loved one's funeral service. I can guide you through your choices and create your perfect funeral ceremony with you. The ceremony is written specifically for you - there is no standard approach when I write about your loved one. I will then help you through one of the most difficult days of your life.
Funeral ceremonies do not have to be limited to a crematorium, a cemetery or a burial ground - consider having a ceremony for a loved one in the family garden or a local beautiful venue, such as a barn, event venue or a woodland - you do not have to follow the 'normal funeral' that many Funeral Directors will lead you towards. Non crematorium ceremonies are so relaxed and special because there are no time limits and no constraints. They are legal, beautiful, memorable, unhurried ceremonies but often people - especially people experiencing grief do not understand the options that are out there! With a Civil Celebrant or an Independent Celebrant funeral service you have flexibility and endless possibilities to create a dream ceremony and that is what I am passionate about! Together, we can create a special, unforgettable and meaningful occasion that is completely unique and celebrates their life and achievements. From the first meeting to the delivery of the service, I can guide you through the process and give you ideas on beautiful and relevant readings and songs. Alternatively, if you have a clear idea of the type of ceremony that you would like, I can help you to create your vision. |
Myth Buster: All Celebrants are Humanist
As an Independent Celebrant I do not have to be Humanist - I can create a non-religious ceremony or I can include some elements of religion such as a prayer or a hymn. As an Independent Funeral Celebrant I offer choice and flexibility. "Thank you for being so easy to talk to and being genuinely interested in Mum's life."
Alex - Oct 2021 "You were very good at quickly understanding what Mum was like, what was most important to get across and in sussing us all out. Your judgements on the script and flexing the service were spot on." Barry - Oct 2021 |
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I believe that the most important aspect of a funeral service is that it should be bespoke and truly personal to the loved one who has passed away. You should be able to incorporate any elements, cultures, traditions, beliefs and readings that represent who they were, what they stood for and how they wanted to be remembered. We can include any life highlights, music and special memories that you want to share or that they wanted shared. If you want hymns or a prayer included in a crematorium service we can do it, if you want no mention of religion - that is fine too! As your Funeral Celebrant, I will be able to make some appropriate suggestions too.
Let me incorporate some smiles and even laughter into the ceremony - we are celebrating life, their funny anecdotes, their stories - how they will be remembered. |
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We will talk, I will listen and by the time we are at the ceremony, I will be able to share stories about the person - whose life we are celebrating - almost as if I knew them too. Some lives are very long; others are much shorter; but all lives are important, have significance and leave a legacy and we want to mark that in a special way.
You have choices and I have the words and knowledge - not only that, I am very proud to have been named winner at The Celebrant Industry Awards 2021 for my funeral ceremonies. I work very closely with families and funeral directors, and together we shall create an appropriate, special and memorable ceremony for you and your loved ones.
You have choices and I have the words and knowledge - not only that, I am very proud to have been named winner at The Celebrant Industry Awards 2021 for my funeral ceremonies. I work very closely with families and funeral directors, and together we shall create an appropriate, special and memorable ceremony for you and your loved ones.
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"Justine led the ceremony for my wife's funeral. She was kind, empathetic and attentive to our needs. The ceremony was beautiful, moving, sad and uplifting all at the same time. What a fantastic send off we were able to give thanks to Justine. I cannot recommend her highly enough for handling such a sensitive and emotional ceremony." Mr C - Nov 2020
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"Everyone commented on how beautifully you told the story and many thought you had known G personally. I don’t think you could ask for a greater accolade than that!
Should anyone ask me about celebrants I would for sure recommend you." Mrs G - Aug 2021 |
ECO FRIENDLY FUNERALS
An eco friendly funeral is so special - not only because it is beautiful, but also because it is environmentally friendly. These celebrations of life tend to be natural, 'green', sustainably sourced coffins such as willow, maybe at a natural burial ground, ecological but most above all I consider the most important factor in all my services is that I like to create a calm, serene atmosphere where the words are carefully researched and crafted for the life we are celebrating.
If you are interested in finding out more about a local Funeral Director that encourages families to consider an eco funeral - I can help. There are options for non-traditional coffins such as willow, pandanus, wicker, banana leaves and bamboo which are all beautiful, sustainable and good for the environment.
If you are interested in finding out more about a local Funeral Director that encourages families to consider an eco funeral - I can help. There are options for non-traditional coffins such as willow, pandanus, wicker, banana leaves and bamboo which are all beautiful, sustainable and good for the environment.
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DEMENTIA AND THE FUNERAL
Dementia has affected so many people - some people die with dementia-related illness, others are going through dementia when a loved one dies.
Just because someone had dementia prior to death - no matter in which form it manifests - it does not have to define them - it is a disease that they have suffered for the latter years of their lives. Most have lived long happy lives prior to dementia and we can celebrate their lives, their achievements and their story.
I have first-hand experience of dementia and how it affects the individual and the family. I am also a 'Dementia Friend' and can share advice on how to make the funeral as inclusive and as easy as possible.
Just because someone had dementia prior to death - no matter in which form it manifests - it does not have to define them - it is a disease that they have suffered for the latter years of their lives. Most have lived long happy lives prior to dementia and we can celebrate their lives, their achievements and their story.
I have first-hand experience of dementia and how it affects the individual and the family. I am also a 'Dementia Friend' and can share advice on how to make the funeral as inclusive and as easy as possible.
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If you have a relative with dementia - whose loved-one has died - their reactions to this situation can be disconcerting and sadly, often they have to relive the awful news that their nearest or dearest has passed away - over and over again. They may not behave 'appropriately' at the service because of their illness - this we can accommodate and make it as stress-free for all those involved by making it as relaxed and as inclusive as possible.
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Celebrant Funeral Prices
Extended Bespoke Funeral or Memorial Service |
£350
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- This ceremony is perfect for a beautiful events venue or garden, a natural burial or non-conventional setting. It also works well if you book a double slot at a crematorium and therefore we have plenty of time. I can advise you on many suitable venues to hold a beautiful funeral ceremony and work with you and the funeral director to ensure every detail is perfected.
- This ceremony can include interment or scattering of ashes, planting of a tree or bush or other meaningful ritual where we have the opportunity to take our time.
- Unhurried, extended time for the ceremony (Up to 2 hours on the day) or any ceremonies that are further afield and therefore require the full day to be allocated to this ceremony. Any ceremonies further than a 20 miles distance of West Malling in Kent will also be quoted mileage costs.
- We will talk at great length, whilst I scribble copious notes.
- I then write the ceremony, incorporating all your ideas and bringing my own recommendations to the table.
- You make as many tweaks as you want - we all want it just right.
- I will liaise with the Funeral Director if they are involved and assist with music choices and running order for the service.
- On the day I will be there early to ensure everything is in order and just right.
- I will officiate the ceremony with care, empathy and a few smiles and keep an eye on timings to ensure everything runs smoothly.
- I can play music on a portable PA system if required.
- At the end of the ceremony you will receive a hand finished folder with a copy of the script.
- You will also receive a PDF copy so that you can share the script if you wish with members of the family.
Bespoke Funeral at a Crematorium |
£250
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- A bespoke 30 minute funeral service within 20 miles of West Malling in Kent.
- We will talk at great length, whilst I scribble copious notes.
- I then go away and write the ceremony, incorporating all your ideas and bringing my own recommendations to the table.
- You make as many tweaks as you want - we want it just right.
- I will liaise with the Funeral Director about music choices and running order for the service.
- On the day I will be there early to ensure everything is in order and just right.
- I will officiate the ceremony with care, empathy and a few smiles and keep an eye on timings to ensure everything runs smoothly.
- At the end of the ceremony you will receive a hand finished folder with a copy of the script.
- You will also receive a PDF copy so that you can share the script if you wish with members of the family.
GRIEF CHAT
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Most people expect to be very upset or distressed when someone close to them has died. What takes many people by surprise is how strong the emotions can be, how they can change very quickly, and how long they last. People around you may seem to think you should be ‘back to normal’ after a few weeks or months. You might appear to be your usual self to other people, but you know that on the inside, you’re not even sure what normal is anymore.
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Link to Grief Chat Website here
or call 01524 782910 |
Everyone grieves in a way that is unique to them and their relationship with the person who has died. Well-intentioned people may say to you, ‘Time is a great healer.’ Sometimes, however, it can seem that life is more difficult as the weeks and months go by.
We know that no-one can understand exactly what your loss feels like to you. But we do understand that it’s sometimes easier to talk to someone outside of your friends and family about grief and the impact of bereavement of your life and this is why we offer the GriefChat service.
GriefChat was created by bereavement experts and by clicking on the GriefChat box above, you can chat online directly to a specially trained bereavement counsellor. GriefChat counsellors are experienced in supporting bereaved people and will listen to your story, explore how your grief is affecting you and help you to find any additional support you might need. GriefChat is a completely free service and is available Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm or by email out of these hours.
GriefChat provides emotional support for bereaved people, access to trained bereavement counsellors and referral into other specialist bereavement services.
We know that no-one can understand exactly what your loss feels like to you. But we do understand that it’s sometimes easier to talk to someone outside of your friends and family about grief and the impact of bereavement of your life and this is why we offer the GriefChat service.
GriefChat was created by bereavement experts and by clicking on the GriefChat box above, you can chat online directly to a specially trained bereavement counsellor. GriefChat counsellors are experienced in supporting bereaved people and will listen to your story, explore how your grief is affecting you and help you to find any additional support you might need. GriefChat is a completely free service and is available Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm or by email out of these hours.
GriefChat provides emotional support for bereaved people, access to trained bereavement counsellors and referral into other specialist bereavement services.
