Comments About My Ceremonies

Comments Sent to Me:

It’s lovely when people take the trouble to write and tell me how pleased they have been with the ceremony I have taken – it tells me that I have got it just right, which is what I always hope. My aggregated star rating is 5

I also have a number of reviews on my Google Webpage – all 5 star

You can see where I’ve taken names out […] to respect confidentiality, or where I’ve added [a little clarification]

Photograph of a fountain pen and a partly written letter — Fountain Pen and Letter

“Mark was the Humanist Celebrant at our Dad’s cremation service in August. When we met Mark he was kind, compassionate and very easy to talk to about what we would like. He wove our stories and memories beautifully together to make a very meaningful service that was a wonderful tribute to our Dad. I would highly recommend him.” Cremation August 2026

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“Mark did a great job of capturing and celebrating Dad’s life with humour, kindness and attention to detail, weaving our music and poems into his words. He came to meet us at short notice, in spite of being quite a distance away, and was always attentive to our wishes and ideas. It was a beautiful ceremony and wonderful tribute to our Dad. I have no hesitation recommending Mark as a funeral celebrant.” Cremation August 2026

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“Mark was the Humanist Celebrant at my Father’s funeral in August this year and gave a moving and meaningful tribute about Dad. Many of the family live overseas and joined online and Mark acknowledged this throughout the ceremony.
Mark met with the family prior to the funeral and encouraged us to share personal stories about Dad which he then wove into the tribute at the funeral. Mark also provided guidance to us on poems we might want to consider and on the order of service. We were very impressed with Mark’s approach and would have no hesitation in recommending him to others.” Cremation August 2026

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“I also wanted to thank you again for your brilliant work in bringing together our contributions in a way that made the service so personal and so moving. We all really appreciated it, and it felt like a fitting tribute to Dad.” Cremation August 2026

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“Mark, firstly I’d like to say thank you. You met [my wife] several times before she passed away and between you, you were able to produce the ceremony that she wanted. Littered with some humour and recollections of tales that she told you that were all delivered in the just the manner she would have wanted. If she was watching, she would agree it couldn’t have gone any better thanks to your delivery and professionalism. Many of the family and friends at the wake mentioned to me how impressed they had been with the service and your delivery. You were a great choice by [her] and I’d happily recommend you.” (Cremation August 2026)

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“From the start we knew Mark was the right person to help us celebrate our mum’s life. Mark was very personable and professional and invested time and emotion into writing the heartfelt tribute and taking the funeral service for my mum. We would highly recommend Mark to anyone who is looking for a celebrant at such an emotional time in people’s lives.” (Cremation August 2026)

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“Firstly, many thanks for your email, that’s very kind. Secondly, thank you for leading today’s service and celebration of dad’s life today. We felt that all went as well as it possibly could and that dad would have been very happy.” (Cremation March 2026)

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“I would just like to again thank you for taking the service, the whole family is very grateful” (Memorial March 2026)

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“I would like to thank you very much for all your dedication, diligence and delivery and huge contribution to making what was a very difficult day into a fitting tribute to […]. Many people commented on how the whole thing came together into a memorable ceremony and was a true reflection of what […] was about. Heartfelt thanks” (Cremation January 2026)

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“Mark was very friendly and kind at our first meeting and at the funeral – enjoyed his thoughtful way of telling everyone about our Dad.” (Cremation December 2025)

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“Thank you Mark. Both […] and I were pleased with the service. Everyone we spoke to commented on how well it was done.” (Cremation November 2025)

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“Mark was a clear choice from the beginning. It was clear from his profile that Mark was interested only in the family and there was no talk of himself. This is a rarity. We enjoyed sharing stories about mum with Mark and he recognised the importance of other significant things such as her writing. His commentary of mum’s life was exactly as she would have told it – with eloquence, warmth and humour. Thank you so much.” (Cremation November 2025)

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“A huge thank you from us all for enabling mum to be the star of the show for one last time yesterday.
Your written tribute and the way you delivered it, captured her life perfectly. Mum would have loved to have chatted to you about literature and the arts over a cup of tea. Maybe, yesterday, she did.” (Cremation November 2025)

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“Thank you Sir. You did Melanie proud yesterday. Thank you for looking after us all.” (Cremation October 2025)

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“… it was perfect thank you very much for all you did, mum would have loved it, was very hard as you saw but hopefully time will help heal. Thank you again” (Cremation – October 2025)

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“The service was just right and suited […]’s personality to a T.” (Memorial Ceremony – August 2025)

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“Thank you for everything you did. The funeral was very well received, both by people attending in person and others who were able to watch online.” (Cremation – August 2025)

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“Thank you Mark. Lots of people commented on what a lovely tribute you did for […]. It was much appreciated and I thank you very much.” (Cremation – June 2025)

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“Mark was very professional in his approach to my father’s funeral service. He came out to visit us, gave us the opportunity to proofread the service and delivered it well. The service was very personal to my father and Mark ensured it was a celebration of his life, which is what we asked for. I have no hesitation in recommending Mark.” (Cremation – May 2025) Link to the review

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“Mark is a very easy person to talk to and delivered a personal and excellent ceremony. Also very professional.” (April 2025)

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“Mark was respectful & caring. He listened carefully to what we had to say and wrote and delivered a fitting tribute.” (Burial – March 2025)

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“Thank you … for your part in the ceremony yesterday. Everyone present seemed to agree that the service was both fitting and moving, and was a suitable tribute to [my husband], and that your tone and delivery greatly enhanced the occasion. So, many thanks from both [our son] and myself for making everything run so smoothly and yet giving us ample time for reflection and remembrance.
I am indebted to you and to the Humanist society for making this sad occasion for us into something we will want to remember, perhaps with comfort, into the future.” (Cremation – March 2025)

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“Thank you very much indeed, Mark, for all that you did for us. Today went without a hitch and we really appreciate it.” (Cremation – January 2025)

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“A truly lovely gentleman. Mark is professional, patient and extremely compassionate. He conducted my Dad’s funeral service perfectly. He was attentive to all of our needs and wishes, and he went above and beyond to provide us with a wonderful tribute to my Dad.
Mark’s attention to detail was remarkable and he communicated with us every step of the way. The words Mark spoke have given us comfort and direction at the most difficult time in our lives.
Thank you Mark, I hope you are always greeted with the same warmth and kindness that you afforded our family.” (October 2024)

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“Please may I thank you for all your help and support preparing and delivering […]’s farewell. The service was everything I wanted for her.
I was very gratefully for your presence whilst I was at the lectern.
I have received very positive comments from many of the guests
Your flexibility to meet my family’s wishes and your supportive and calming nature whilst we organised the event were very well received.” (Cremation – September 2024)

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“Just wanted to say a massive thank you for my husband’s service. It was exactly how I wanted it and you portrayed him as the true person he was.” (Cremation – April 2024)

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“A very compassionate man. Spoke about my husband as if he had known him years. Very friendly and approachable. I would highly recommend him.“ (Cremation – April 2024)

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“Mark Taylor is a person you can talk to and made the whole process a pleasant one. Willing to listen and to also suggest adding some lovely poems, which we did.
Highly recommended.” (April 2024)

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“Inevitably there was little time for the family to say how grateful we were for the way in which you conducted today’s service. You should know that just about everyone present told us that they thought it was a beautiful service… very personal and very […] and that you had done a great job. On behalf of […], […] and myself thank you.” (April 2024)

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“Mark is a compassionate person who gathers the deceased’s background and family memories, and has a genuine talent for creating the perfect tribute.
If you are unsure of the required content, he has great experience of the reasons people select this type of funeral and has a library of suitable quotes, poems, music, etc. which he is more than happy to share.
We had mourners who came from different religious backgrounds and Mark’s gentle explanation of the Humanist service and Mom’s beliefs, set their minds at rest, while respecting within his service and tribute, those of faith, by including a time for reminiscence or prayer.
Eminently approachable, but professional at all times.” (March 2024) Link to the Review

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“It did not have the solemnity of a funeral. It was beautiful and celebrated the life of my husband.” (November 2023)

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“Thank you so much for this [funeral script] and I was going to write to you today to thank you for all you did to make the day go well. Your words and the poems were just right.” (July 2023)

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“Mark was helpful, sensitive and professional from start to finish. The ceremony was what we wanted.” (July 2023)

The Leg of the Bull! * * *

“Thank you for leading yesterday’s services for my uncle […], and for managing the time pressure.” (July 2023)

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“Thank you for the kind and compassionate way in which you managed the Memorial Celebration for my sister” (May 2023)

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“Thank you Mark for the lovely service you performed for my husband […]. Everyone commented on it, saying it was lovely, so thank you again […]“ (February 2023)

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“Now we are a few days on from the funeral we wanted to say thank you again! We both felt you put together a lovely service and there have been so many people who have also commented on this and how well you spoke.

I am well aware of the responsibility you hold when you take on this task and I really felt you did this with huge respect and skill… not an easy task!” (January 2023)

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“Thankyou for your support and [the] wonderful service you gave. It was very appropriate for […] and everyone agreed that it was the best of services.” (January 2023)

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“Thank you so much for today. The whole family and friends felt that today was exceptional. You truly have a gift for representing and supporting families and loved ones at one of the most difficult times of their lives. My dad would have really liked you too!” (January 2023)

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“I felt comforted by Mark and the way the ceremony was conducted – Thank You Mark.” (January 2023)

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“You did a fabulous job and put all of the family at ease during our difficult time.” (January 2023)

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“Thank you once again for your valuable contribution yesterday; considering you’d never met my mother, you were able to convey a warmth and affection for her so effectively” (January 2023)

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“Wonderful ceremony which completely reflected my brother’s life.” (September 2022)

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“[…]’s final journey was a difficult day for me but also a wonderful celebration led by you. [Several] people said it’s the best funeral they had attended!

… I believe […] would have enjoyed his own funeral very much!” (August 2022)

Snowdrops pushing up through the ground to show that spring will eventually come - Mark Taylor - The Lichfield Funeral Celebrant — Snowdrops in the Spring – Mark Taylor

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“Thank you very much, Mark.

You did a lovely job, Dad had a really nice send off.” (July 2022)

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“… thanks so much for your address on the day – it was very much appreciated by all who attended, and what a beautiful send-off it was.” (July 2022)

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“Very easy to communicate with and willing to discuss in advance of my mum passing.” (January 2022)

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“… I realise that the service was perfect because of you. … thank you for everything – the effort you put into the service, taking the time to get to know us, your compassion, making us aware of [the funeral directors] and your professionalism. It has uplifted me at a difficult time.” (January 2022)

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“Thank you Mark, I thought it was an excellent service, very comforting and straightforward. [Dad] would have enjoyed it, I’m sure.” (Anne HB – November 2021)

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“It was a lovely ceremony, exactly what my husband wanted as he planned it with the celebrant.” (October 2021)

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“At this sad time, Mark listened, was sympathetic and professional on his visit. At the ceremony he was clear and defined and did exactly what I wanted for my wife’s service. Thank you Mark.” (September 2021)

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“I wanted to say thank you again for today. Me and my sister […] thought it was a beautifully worded tribute and it made the day uplifting and positive.” (June 2021)

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“Mark did his research thoroughly, finding things out about […] that I was not aware of. Extremely well presented. THANK YOU.” (March 2021)

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“It was very personal, relevant and touching. It was a true celebration of my mother and her life. Excellent. Considered. Lovely.” (March 2021)

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“My first experience of a humanist ceremony and I was impressed.” (March 2021)

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“Thanks for an amazing job yesterday, it was a perfect ending for a perfect woman. From all in attendance yesterday a massive thank you.” (March 2021)

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“Most of all, thank you so much for such a lovely service for my mum. It was excellent and very true and touching. I really appreciated it so much and have had time to read it. All I can say is thank you but it is heartfelt” (March 2021)

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“We’ve had feedback from people both there in person and watching the live-stream. A friend who lives in France was especially impressed and said it was the most personal and one of the truest to the person funerals she has ever attended and loved the bit where you said about it not mattering whether you have religious faith or not – everyone is included.” (December 2020)

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“It was really really nice and I am so glad that I got to work with you on the content. To meet you on the day and for you to do the service for me and for […] was an honour and a privilege. Everyone I spoke to all said it was the most fitting of send off for […] and he would have approved. For each and everyone that came I know the service and the words spoken at some point they were touched individually as a moment in time by what was was said and the facemasks helped hide the tears.” (December 2020)

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“I want to personally THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for what you did for […] on Tuesday, it was absolutely perfect in every way and, whilst I had absolute trust and confidence in what you would do and say on Tuesday and, as I and seen the order of service and knew what you would say and when, the actual ceremony was perfect, your pace of words, your compassion and your personality stood out and shone like a beacon.” (December 2020)

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“We all remarked that it was just what he would have wanted, unstuffy yet thoughtful and reflective. I know that this is your ‘job’ as such, but this ‘job’ carries a great deal of responsibility. Please know that you definitely delivered!” (October 2020)

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“The service was wonderful and everyone commented on how personal it was to my dad. We all thank you Mark” (September 2020)

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“We couldn’t have wished for more and it was a fitting tribute to my Dad.” (September 2020)

“Hi Mark, On behalf of the family I would like to thank you for the wonderful service you gave for our

Sparkling Petal of an amaryllis (hippeastrum) - Mark Taylor - The Lichfield Funeral Celebrant — Petal sparkling in the sunshine – Mark Taylor

mother. It was so lovely, light and informal, just how our mom would have wanted it. Many thanks, […]” (June 2020)

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“Thank you for all you did for us. We thought the ceremony was absolutely spot on and have had numerous people saying very positive things.” (February 2020)

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“We have received many complimentary remarks and expressions of enjoyment from those who attended […]’s funeral, which referred to your handling of the ceremony and I pass that on to you with my own thanks and appreciation.” (February 2020)

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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 respond to every contact and always do my best to answer any questions about anything. 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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