Non-religious funerals full of heart and soul

I’m Siân and I create momentous celebrations of life and love.

Arranging a funeral can be tough, there’s no doubt about that. Although the process can be fraught with mixed, often negative emotions, preparing a ceremony with a celebrant can be therapeutic, rewarding and even joyful.

The fundamental purpose of any funeral is to say goodbye to someone who’s touched our life and a humanist ceremony does that by focusing on the life of the person who lived, which is why each one is unique.

Working closely with loved ones, I write ceremonies that are rich, deep, moving and meaningful. Together we explore the breadth of the person, the influence they’ve had on those around them, what we’ve learned from them and how they’ve contributed to society and to the world. I help balance the sadness of the occasion with lots of happy memories, smiles and flickers of laughter. The ceremony will reflect who they were, what they meant, how much they were loved, valued and appreciated and, importantly, will help those left behind mourn, remember, find comfort and release.

 

Why do I love my job?

So, if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I might’ve said a hairdresser or a barrister (depending on which phase I was going through!) never did I think that that I would working in the funeral industry. When I tell people what I do, their reactions vary but most people are perplexed. “How do you stand being around death all the time?”. I don’t see it that way at all. My job is all about life… and love. When I’m talking to families and standing up front in a funeral, what I see and feel is love. The rows of blurry eyes, the tear drops and the tender embraces are all testament to how much the person who lived was loved, and are a demonstration of impact they had on those they crossed paths with.

I started out my celebrant journey focusing on weddings, but I decided to branch into funerals after speaking to my many colleagues who said they found a profound sense of fulfilment through offering funerals, and I get it now. In this role, I help people through some of the most difficult times of their lives. A ceremony, well done, brings validation to the incredible individuals we been fortunate to share this Earth with.

On size does not fit all. Insert NAME here is not enough. The little things matter and everyone deserves a send off that’s sincere, authentic and a fitting reflection of the person that we loved.

 

Looking for something a little different?

My job is to help you celebrate the life of the person you love in way that feels right and meaningful for you. I can also assist you to fully understand your options if you don’t wish to feel tied to pre-prescribed ideas or conventions that don’t feel fitting.

Society generally offers us a couple of basic options to commemorate the life of someone we’ve lost: a religious service or a short slot in a crematorium with a choice of burial (in some places) or cremation.

When we’re grief stricken, it may seem easier to go with the flow and let someone else point us in the right direction, but perhaps what they feel is the right route may not be exactly what you had in mind.

Even though our options are not always clear, they do exist. I can help you decide how a ceremony could fit into your wider plans. Maybe you’d like a celebration that’s not bound by time, is situated somewhere special, could include rituals to help you process your experiences or to involve those there in meaningful ways. These are all possibilities we can explore together to help you create a fulfilling celebration of love and life.

 

The small print…

I’m a nature enthusiast, fascinated and mesmerized by the wonders of our planet. I love being submerged beneath the waves, thankfully I’m SCUBA qualified! Despite not appearing to be the most physically fit person, you’ll often find me pumping iron, riding my bike up really steep mountains or balanced precariously trying to find some Zen. I’m into both cooking and eating and am pretty much powered by plants. I grow my own veg with varying degrees of success. I always look for the good in people, believe in second chances and welcome second thoughts. I love socialising, debating with friends, exploring new places and watching ferns slowly uncoil in the springtime.