GREGORY JAMES

Welcome – I am Gregory – a non-religious Celebrant based in Swansea.  I will guide and work with you to craft a beautifully written and very personalised celebration of your loved one’s life.  On the day, I will then deliver the ceremony with passion and commitment – whether you want a solemn and heartfelt ceremony, or a joyous and uplifting celebration in their memory, I will ensure the final goodbye is perfected to your wishes.

Families I have worked with have said I am “warm”, “genuine” and “approachable”, and that they felt confident and supported throughout the planning process.  This is so important when you are faced with so much to think of during such a difficult time – let me help you ensure that you are doing the very best and can be confident that all will go well on the day.  I am an English specialist, a very experienced teacher, a performance poet and author – all of these artistic skills will be used to create the bespoke celebration of your loved one’s life – which I will then deliver with genuine warmth, passion, humour and care.

Whatever your wishes are to best celebrate their life – heartfelt and compassionate,  humorous and uplifting, or a rollercoaster ride through  their life – I can craft a celebration which will honour them and leave their loved ones, their friends and family, with the feeling that they did their very best for their final farewell.

What can you expect?

I will guide you through the process of your chosen ceremony – whether it’s a burial, cremation or a simple gathering to celebrate the person’s life.  I will help you choose the music, suitable poetry, and readings. Perhaps you or a family member or friend would like to say some words yourself?  I will help you to compose your own speech and support you to deliver it on the day.

I will meet with you in person, or via Zoom or whichever way is most convenient for you, and will ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. I will liaise with the funeral director to design the Order of Service and ensure all the arrangements are in place before the day.

On the day of the funeral, or celebration, I will be there, with the funeral director, waiting for you, to ensure that the ceremony is exactly what you wanted, and that your loved one’s memory is honoured and remembered in a beautifully written and spoken tribute.

Delivering a celebration speech

Memorials can be in picturesque locations