Head photograph of Mark Taylor - The Lichfield Funeral Celebrant
Mark Taylor

Celebrations of Life – The Lichfield Funeral Celebrant

A Humanist Funeral Ceremony is all about the person who has died – a celebration of their life, everything they did and all that they meant to those around them through their life.

Everyone deserves a good send-off and everyone has a tale to be told about them – the story of their life.

It should also acknowledge the emotion and poignancy of the event.

A ‘good send-off’ means different things to different people. Ceremonies may be long or short, quiet and solemn or boisterous and irreverent, or anything in between – whatever you want it to be.

You, friends, relatives may want to speak, read poems, sing or play music, possibly even dance! … or it may only involve me, taking the ceremony and speaking to those who are there. Ask me what’s possible and I will almost certainly say yes to your suggestions.

Mark Taylor talking to a family before preparing a funeral script - Mark Taylor - The Lichfield Funeral Celebrant
At a Family Meeting

Time, care and love is put into every ceremony – it’s what you expect and it’s what your loved one deserves. Everyone’s life is special and interesting. Everyone has a story to be told and I want to be the person who writes and tells that story, presenting it in the way that you want.

When you call me, we can arrange a time for me to visit and I spend as long with you as you need. I then write the ceremony, sharing with you all the important parts, so that you know that it’s what you want.

After the ceremony, I give you a full printed copy and an electronic copy, for you to keep and share.

I take Cremations, Burials, Memorials – including following Direct or Unattended Cremations, Scattering of Ashes or any other type of related event.

I live in Lichfield. Many of the ceremonies I take are for people living around Lichfield but I am happy to work with families outside that area – I have worked right across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

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If you have chosen a funeral director, let them know that you have found the celebrant you want to take the ceremony, I will liaise with them about the arrangements. If you haven’t found a funeral director, I can often suggest ones that may be best for where you are because I may have worked with them before.

There is more information on the Planning a Ceremony page

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Also on this Website

There are several other pages on this website:

  • Things people have said about my ceremonies are on the page; Comments About My Ceremonies
  • There is practical information about Planning a Ceremony and other information on the page including FAQs
  • I have also included on the Planning page, a list of Funeral Directors with whom I have worked most frequently. I can’t recommend any but the ones I use most frequently (the one at top of each group by area) are the ones I feel most comfortable to work with
  • LGBTQ+ Funeral Ceremonies can be the same as or quite different from a regular funeral. There’s a little more information on the LGBTQ+ Ceremonies page
  • Information about Green Burial Sites can be found near the bottom of the page; Green Burials – Crematoria There is also a longer explanation of Humanism that you may find interesting
  • Wedding Witnessing has little to do with funerals but it is also something that is on offer. A little more detail on the Planning page
  • Grief can be overwhelming. There may also be practical information that you need. You may be able to find some help on the page Bereavement Grief and Mourning. There are links to Bereavement Support Organisations. There is also a very informative Guide to Probate which may help with the official and legal processes
  • On the last tab there is Information for Schools and links that may be useful for teachers Resources for Schools and Links. (There are also links in to this site – that is more to help Google indexing and ranking)
  • This may seem a little strange; however, I’m also available as a Witness for Weddings – there are more details on the last tab Resources for Schools and Links.

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What to Do When Someone Dies – This is guidance from the government and is such a good starting point for anyone who is dealing with a death. It is presented as a step-by-step guide, covering all the things that have to be done. This is on the Bereavement Grief and Mourning page but it seems so fundamental that I have included it on this first page too

Children’s Funeral Fund – The government fund to cover some costs associated with a child’s death. A little more detail is provided on the Bereavement Grief and Mourning page

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Ask me for advice or assistance

I am always happy to answer any questions you may have about ceremonies or arrangements.

Ask me anything and I will do my best to help and advise – I have been asked strange and interesting questions over the years and I always do my best to answer them. Please contact me by telephone or email.

Mobile: 07779 187384

Home: 01543 264602

email: mark.taylor@humanistceremonies.org.uk

WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447779187384

 

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