How to prepare and next steps

Ceremonies I work with families to prepare are warm, personal and reflect the life and personality of the person whose life has ended.

The people who are arranging the funerals are helped to express their feelings for the person who has died and about they’d like to remember them.

Before we meet, its useful if  you’ve talked with family or friends about music, words and who, if anyone, you’d like to speak during the ceremony. Its also very helpful to tell me about messages you’ve received from family members, children, grandchildren or others that you’d like to be referred to.

By listening to you I get to know a bit about the person whose life we are marking and will draft a script for you to read and amend as you wish before I deliver a ceremony that is just as you want it to be.

Some questions you may need answering;

Where do you work?

I am based in Ipswich and regularly work with families across Suffolk , Essex and further afield. We can discuss your location. 

Where can I hold the ceremony?

Ceremonies may be held anywhere you find suitable… obviously in crematorium, ‘green’ or traditional burial grounds, private houses or gardens, village halls, hotel and concert facilities. If you have an idea, I am happy to discuss it with you and together we can make sure your location works for  the ceremony you’d like.

Some of us are religious / have faith – does this matter?

It’s important to me to include all mourners and while I have no faith myself , I am respectful of religious and spiritual beliefs. I’m often involved in ceremonies that include religious music and words with significance for the family and my aim is to help all those attending the ceremony feel comfortable and valued. Usually we include a few quiet minutes for people’s own thoughts and memories of the person whose life we are honouring and for private prayer too if its important to them. 

How do I book your services?

Just give  me a call or drop me an email; I’ll get back to you pretty quickly for a chat or to arrange to meet up wherever suits you best. 

Can I plan my own ceremony with you?

Of course you can, I have worked with a number of people in this way and been specifically trained to do so. Please contact me for a chat and we can take it from there … or get someone else to call for you if you prefer.

Whether you are planning someone else’s funeral or pre-planning your own , I’d like to talk with you so give me a ring or drop me a message.

Linda

07944 629 128 | linda.james@humanistceremonies.org.uk