The starting point for any ceremony is understanding and appreciating the stories, and the life course, of the person to be honoured; the sunset we are about to celebrate.  Usually this means talking to family and friends, maybe looking through some old photographs together and establishing a timeline of their life. There is a lot of listening. In many ways, this is my favourite part, getting to know a person through the eyes of others reveals their legacy and often brings a smile as well as a tear. I’ll be asking for anecdotes and explanations from which we can then construct a fitting tribute. You may want to write and read your tribute yourselves, or we can dovetail different speakers together. Naturally, I will check with you to ensure that anything I write is accurate and appropriate and we can make adjustments and additions to fine tune the script and adjust the running order.  There is always a balance to be struck between different accounts of a life and also an art in writing for the audience and within time restrictions. I take care in crafting a Ceremony that reflects the tone and content that you are looking for. My intention is to ensure that the unique qualities and contributions of your loved one are celebrated, but that any struggles and sadnesses are also acknowledged as this may have been part of their journey.

My testimonials page give feedback from people I have worked with to craft their ceremonies.

Please check on my availability, if you can, before booking the funeral date (your funeral director can ring me or call me yourself). I have other projects and commitments alongside my celebrant work. My preference is in doing a few ceremonies well, rather than delivering several funerals a week, and I do not have a standard format – together we can craft the best ceremony for you and your loved one.