When someone we love dies, the loss can be overwhelming.

Planning a funeral or memorial ceremony can feel daunting.

But it provides an opportunity to say goodbye in just the right way.

Every human life is unique and every funeral should reflect the journey and passage of that life.

At the heart of each Humanist ceremony is the life of the the person who has died. There is no set script, no reference to afterlife or religion. Instead, the ceremony focuses on what really lives on – memory and influence. We are all touched by the lives of those we share family connections with, those we choose to love and who become our work colleagues and friends. Together, we tell the story through tribute, poetry and music, through recollection of the good times and bad, the things we learned and the hopes we have for the future.

Helping people to mark the end of a life is a rare privilege, and one I find profound and humbling. As a Celebrant, my role is to help you create a ceremony which pays a fitting tribute to someone special. I will help you tell this unique human story in all its richness and complexity, and set the tone you choose. I can advise on poetry and music choices and will work with you and your funeral director to make the ceremony feel just right.

Planning and Practical Matters

I will meet with you and close family as soon as possible after you or the funeral director contact me with date and time of the ceremony. It is also helpful to have at that meeting anyone who wishes to pay a personal tribute within the ceremony  – friends, family and colleagues.

I will write a tribute based on all that you are able to tell me – important dates and places, hobbies and travels, foibles and quirks, things they cared about deeply. We will weave into the ceremony music which they loved or is significant, poetry and readings which allow reflection, and tributes from those who want to speak to the memory of the person who has died.

I will write this up as soon as possible and email a copy for you to check in advance of the ceremony.

On the day I will be there to lead the ceremony, to support you and any speakers and will give you a full copy of the script to keep.

My fee is £220 for a memorial ceremony, burial or single crematorium slot and £250 for a double. My travel expenses within a 20 mile radius of my home* are included in this fee, though I’m happy to travel further afield**. Please feel free to contact me directly or ask your Funeral Director to contact me on your behalf.

“The time and patience Gaynor has is in abundance for you.”

“Gaynor spent a lot of time making sure all the way along, that it was what we wanted.”

“Her calmness and smiling caring ways were very reassuring in what was such a terrible time for us. I trusted her completely.”

“The service we had was amazing.”

“Thank you so much for your time, care, laughs, patience and endless support, you are one in a million!”

*Close to Junction 26 of the M1. I cover all of Nottingham, Derby and Mansfield, as far north west as Matlock, north to Bolsover, east to Bingham and south to Loughborough. I work regularly at Bramcote, Gedling, Wilford Hill, Mansfield, Amber Valley, Markeaton and Trent Valley Crematoria and at green burial sites like Tithe Green.

**Anything over this is a standard 45p a mile.

***Image by Steve Adams, local photographer***