I am a funeral Celebrant, trained and accredited by the British Humanist Association. I read Philosophy as part of my first degree. Perhaps I did not know the label that I was then, and am now, a humanist.

After spending most of my working life as a teacher in state secondary schools, then finally into special schools, I took early retirement. At this time, by sheer coincidence, I attended a very uninspiring, unsatisfying religious cremation. It was a light bulb moment. I could use my humanist convictions and ideology to become a humanist celebrant for funerals. In this way, I can use my views on life, in a practical way to help families in a time of need, with a meaningful, comforting, supportive celebration of a loved one’s life, now over.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be incredibly difficult. Many people feel sad, perhaps overwhelmed, confused and even angry.

It is an honour to be invited into a family’s  home  at such a difficult and stressful time. I will listen to your ideas and requests and then write a tailor-made ceremony for you.  It will  meet your needs to honour, respect and celebrate the unique life of your loved one, in a dignified manner,  without reference to God or religion.

It is important to acknowledge the role that they played in the lives of their family and friends and wider society.  Accordingly, the ceremony will aim to celebrate your loved one’s life and legacy, achievements and successes. It is an important rite of passage and  it fulfils our human need to say goodbye.

If I am asked to be your Celebrant, I will meet with you and if you like, with other family members or friends. I would really like to hear their life story through you and your memories and stories. What were their achievements, high points, successes, perhaps tell me a funny story? What kind of person were they? What made them unique and special? Find a photograph if you can,  to help me build a picture. Think about choosing their favourite music to be played at the celebration.

You may wish to invite a family member or good friend to speak at the ceremony. They could read their own words in a family tribute, a poem or piece of prose. Some families ask for live music, with or without singers. I am of course very happy to offer plenty of ideas for poems, music or prose.

Please feel free to call me to have a chat. Thank you, Nick.

TESTIMONIALS

“I would like to thank you for the beautiful ceremony you conducted for my husband. Your input, help and advice was much appreciated at such a difficult time. So many of our friends commented on how perfect the ceremony was and reflected B’s personality. Thank you again. ” (Family W )

 

“There are no words in the English language that can possibly express my feelings for all that you did for myself and family on such an emotional occasion. Without you it would have been so very hard to deal with, but now we shall always think of it with happiness. You helped to make so many wonderful memories for all of the families. From deep in my heart I thank you.” ( Family G )

 

……”Nick brought a genuine warmth with him to our occasion. He managed to convey to all in the room the essence of what our grandfather meant to us and to others, using anecdotes from his life…some serious and some amusing, which raised a welcome smile amongst family members in between tears. Because of Nick’s carefully balanced mix of professionalism and warmth,  rather than feeling that a stranger had conducted our farewell, it felt like an old friend had taken us through the journey of our Grandad’s life. Highly recommended, without reservation.” ( Family  K )

 

“……..frankly you are the only person I know, who could handle a role of this nature and close the book on an individual’s life with dignity and kindness, that is so difficult to achieve.” (Mr. MC)

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“Our Story is the Story of the Universe” by Professor Brian Cox OBE, FRS. He is an English Physicist, and Advanced Fellow of Particle Physics in the School of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Manchester.

“Every piece of everything, of everything you love and everything you hate, of the thing you hold most precious, was assembled from the forces of nature in the first few minutes of the life of the universe. Transformed in the hearts of stars or created in their fiery deaths. And, when you die those pieces will be returned to the universe in the endless cycle of death and rebirth. What a wonderful thing it is to be a part of that Universe! And what a story, what a majestic story!”