Jonathan Cooke – Evergreen Ceremonies

It is my task to listen to the stories of a life as told by those who knew the deceased best and to bring together feelings of sadness, love, respect and more often than not, humour; allowing emotions to flourish in a gently curated environment in order to provide a thought-provoking, dignified and authentic observation of a celebrated life and to deliver that story with excellence on the day.

The secret behind making something look effortless is simple; planning, planning and more planning.  A seemingly relaxed yet meaningful funeral or celebration of life actually involves a lot of choreography.  Designing the ‘flow’ or order and timing of each contribution; the poetry, the music, the welcomes and the farewells, is an art-form in itself.  It doesn’t happen by accident and it certainly shouldn’t follow a ‘formula’; it needs a professional eye and ear and above all it needs empathy.

I will visit you at a time and place of your choosing with other members of the family and friends who would like to contribute to the service and we will talk about the person who has died so that I can start to build a ceremony befitting their character and personality.  I will send you a copy of the proposed service for approval.  I can help with the selection of music and readings if you get stuck.  Then on the day, I will provide the ‘glue’ that holds the celebration together, ensuring an appropriate and dignified send-off.  I will use all my professionalism to ensure that a lifetime of living is encapsulated in a half hour service without it seeming rushed.