Just a few of the comments I have received after conducting recent funerals:

All the family were really pleased with the words John wrote and the quiet and respectful way he conducted the ceremony. He was very helpful, worked around family members’ contributions and found appropriate readings to complement them.

John was so supportive, understanding, and took time to listen to our story via telephone appointment (we my mum & I could not work live via zoom or Gmail) which would have been nice to see John. John wrote the tribute within 24 hours and emailed me. We tweaked it a little, also within 48 hours before the funeral I added another message from my Cousin which John added to my brothers tribute.

John performed the memorial celebration just as we wanted – he even exceeded our expectations in these difficult circumstances. We felt empowered in the knowledge that our beloved wife, mother and grandmother was memorised in the best possible way. Thank you!

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you very much for the wonderful service you gave at Bushbury yesterday for our husband and Dad.    From the moment we arrived, you made us feel totally at ease, and this sense of calm prevailed throughout the service thanks to your perfect demeanour.  We left feeling that it had been a perfect and fitting tribute in every way.  The words you used both to open and close the service were completely appropriate for us.  We had not really known exactly what to expect , not having had arranged a funeral before, let alone a humanist celebration, but we all agreed that at the end of the whole proceedings, we somehow felt at peace and contented, although sad of course.  But I think I speak on behalf of us all that the beautiful things you said about John, even though you never knew him, will help us move on from here in a positive way.”

“No words can say how much appreciation for the way you conducted my husband’s funeral. I had many a comment about the way you conducted the service and how fitting it was in the way you relayed the service. You came across like you knew him personally and not just through me and my family.”

“I just wanted to formally thank you for all you have done the last week. I feel that the service was beautifully led and your tribute was both eloquent and accurate in representing the dad we knew and loved.”

“We just wanted to say thank you again for everything you’ve done for us. We really appreciated the care and kindness you gave us and the tribute you paid to Jamie. The service was everything we wanted, it was respectful and dignified; you really captured the person Jamie was. It’s a very difficult time for us but you helped us to carry out his wishes regarding his funeral and we can’t thank you enough for that.”

“Just a line to say thank you for leading Mum’s ceremony so beautifully. There were many (unsolicited) appreciative comments afterwards about the tone and content of your tribute. Everyone thought that you conveyed a good understanding of Mum and your description of the humanist approach to life and death were well judged and well received. I think, too, you may have opened up a new and welcome way of thinking to one or two of our number. Not the intention of the gathering but not a bad thing, either. Thank you very much.”

“John was an excellent celebrant. He liaised with us beforehand and produced a tribute that everyone felt well presented my mother.”

“The celebrant, John Leaman, was a lovely man and put us at ease straight away. The service was perfect, we could not have asked for more. Everyone said what a lovely service it was and how personal it was to Ivan.”