My role is to help create a ceremony that reflects the unique qualities of the person who has died, giving family and friends a meaningful opportunity to commemorate and to celebrate the person’s life.

To ensure that I get this right I would start by meeting with you (and whoever else you would like to be present) at your home so that I can learn as much about the person’s life as you would like to share. I love listening to stories and anecdotes about a person’s life, learning about their achievements and the community in which they have lived including family, friends and colleagues.

You may have very clear ideas about the form you would like the funeral to take, in which case I can create a ceremony around your ideas. Or you may be less certain, in which case I can help you by suggesting ideas, including readings and music, based on what you have told me.

You may have friends and family who would like to participate in various ways and I would be happy to talk with them and incorporate their contributions into the ceremony, in a way that feels supportive to them.

It is important to me that a funeral feels inclusive and welcoming to all the mourners so I will ensure that there is a time in the ceremony for those with different faiths and beliefs to say their private farewells.

There is a typical format for a humanist funeral that many people use and find very helpful. Within this structure there is always plenty of scope to create an original ceremony. It includes:

a welcome
thoughts on life and death
the tribute
poetry and prose
a pause for reflection
the committal
some closing words

However, it is also possible to start with a clean sheet of paper and create something that is absolutely unique. If the funeral is to take place at a crematorium the only limit will be that of time, most allow between 30 and 45 minutes although sometimes it is possible to book two consecutive sessions.

After our initial meeting I will write a draft ceremony and send a copy to you to ensure that you are happy with it. You will have every opportunity to give me feedback and suggest amendments and additions, and I can be as flexible about this as you need.  Following the ceremony I will give you a presentation copy of the document.

My fees are in line with Humanists Uk guidelines.