Here are some of the questions I often get asked about funerals, Celebrancy and more. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for below, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
I have successfully completed and passed the National Qualification – NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy (RQF) – a copy of which can be viewed below. This means that:
- I hold a nationally recognised UK Funeral Celebrancy qualification.
- I have been rigorously assessed for my skill and suitability as a Funeral Celebrant.
- I am able to create and deliver an appropriate and unique funeral ceremony with sensitivity and empathy.
In addition:
- I have adopted the Celebrant’s Code of Accord, meaning you can have every confidence I can produce and deliver an appropriate ceremony in a professional manner.
Absolutely. Having an input into your own funeral is something I would strongly recommend. It doesn’t have to be a long or detailed checklist. Even if you scribble down a song or a poem you like, it’s hugely comforting and helpful for those left behind. When they come to plan your service, they know they are carrying out your wishes, exactly as you would have wanted.
Although funerals tend to be held in a crematorium or cemetery, there are other options available. Funeral and Memorial services can be held at Natural Burial Grounds, village or church halls, function rooms, at home, in a private garden or at sea.
I cover Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, Sunderland, Durham, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
I am able to officiate at any of the following crematoria and any cemetery for burial in addition.
West Road Crematorium, Newcastle upon Tyne
Saltwell Crematorium, Gateshead
Mounsett Crematorium, Dipton
Northumberland Woodland Crematorium and Burials, Felton, Northumberland
Blyth Cowpen Crematorium
Whitley Bay Crematorium
Tynemouth Crematorium
South Shields Crematorium
Sunderland Crematorium
Durham Crematorium
Yes. Alongside funerals, I offer Scattering of Ashes Ceremonies, Pet Ceremonies, and Tribute Writing. Please contact me if you are interested in any of these services.
Our journey together draws to a close. If you would like to a have a copy of the full script sent to you, I can do so via email for you to keep or print. Do let me know if you would like a printed copy, which are provided on request.
Reviews are always appreciated. If you do feel inclined, please email me your thoughts or feedback. With your kind permission, I can submit them to my website designer to include as testimonials (no names will be shown for confidentiality).
At a time when emotions are running high, it’s commonplace to see family members disagree about the best way to proceed. Often people have different ideas or can’t agree on music, content or who should speak, at the funeral, if anyone.
As a Celebrant, I hope to mediate as far possible with those at the meeting to reach a happy medium by encouraging compromise. A good way to look at things is to ask, “What would you loved one say or wish?”
If other parties wish to contact me outside of the meeting, I shall be transparent and relay everything to you as my client, to ensure you have control over what is included or verbalised on the day.
If compromise cannot be reached, the final decisions and choices fall to you, my client, (as appointed by the Funeral Director). Ideally, the client should be the main point of contact to check over the eulogy on behalf of the family or friendship group as a whole.
It’s likely you will know that a funeral, particularly at a crematorium, only allows us a certain amount of time, as we are allocated a slot we must adhere to. Each crematorium has their own guidelines, ranging from 20 minutes to 45 minutes. During our meeting I can advise you on how best we can keep within timings to save us running over. If you feel you’d like to take more time to celebrate the life of your loved one, or perhaps you are expecting a large number of guests, it may be worth requesting what is known as a ‘Double Slot.’ Your Funeral Director can assist you in booking this, for an extra charge, depending on availability.
Once our meeting is over, I shall use the information supplied to form a tribute appropriate for delivery at the funeral of your loved one. You can check this over to ensure you are happy with the content before it is read aloud at the service. You are welcome to make changes should you wish to alter anything.
As a Celebrant, I wholeheartedly welcome family and friends to take part if they wish. It’s always uplifting to hear some fond memories from a good friend, a prayer from a son or daughter or a reading from a partner. It’s a beautiful gesture and can really ‘lift’ a ceremony. If you feel unable to read anything on the day of the service, I will be happy to deliver it on your behalf.
There are occasions when an individual dies, leaving behind limited family, friend or next of kin. In those situations, it may fall to a neighbour, social worker or other party to help arrange a funeral. There are also times whereby those who have known the deceased may have little or no information to provide for their eulogy. As a Celebrant, we are trained to be able to write and deliver a piece, to ensure that individual has a dignified service at the close of life. It may be that we use our time to include readings and music, or that we acknowledge, “However this person has lived, we gather in the hope they are at peace.” There is always something to be said, in the belief that each human life holds worth and deserves to be commemorated.
Throughout our meeting, I shall ask you some questions, initially, about how you might like the service to flow. Would you like me to mention a charity collection or a gathering venue to further celebrate life? Would you like to incorporate any music, poems or family speakers? Don’t worry if nothing springs to mind. I am always happy to make suggestions which may fit well within the service. Offering guidance on content and timings is part of my role.
Secondly, I’m looking to find out as much as possible about your loved one. This will be crafted into a eulogy, suitable for delivery at their forthcoming funeral. My information gathering will be partly factual, recording memorable dates, family members’ names and so forth and partly personal; Were they warm? Kind? Charitable? Sporty? Perhaps even grumpy? Finding out exactly why this person was so special and how they will be remembered enables me to create a bespoke ceremony for them. If you wish to write your own eulogy, you are very welcome to do so. I can deliver it on your behalf or you can do so yourself should you feel confident enough.
In most cases, the Funeral Director you have appointed will ask me to work on your behalf. They will pass on your details and I shall contact you to arrange a visit at a mutually convenient time and place.
If you have come to this page without a Funeral Director and you’re arranging a funeral independently, you are most welcome to contact me for further advice.
There is a fee for using the services of a Celebrant. This fee comes under the umbrella of third-party funeral costs and the Funeral Director will include it in their final bill to you. This means there is no need for any separate payment to your Celebrant.
- Civil Funerals
- Traditional Funerals
- Scattering Of Ashes Ceremonies
- Resomation (Water Cremation)
- Non-Religious Funerals
- Partly Religious Funerals
- Pet Ceremonies
Absolutely. Many people often like to include a prayer in their service, despite their loved one not following a faith. Mourners can find this comforting and familiar. Some of the most beautiful poems and readings are faith based. If you choose to include anything of this nature, I am more than happy to deliver it as per your request. I do not, however, have authority to perform any blessings or rites.
Celebrant Funerals are not anti-religious and welcome the inclusion of prayer or faith-based poetry should it bring you comfort. These choices are yours on behalf of your loved one and their wishes.
The key difference between a Humanist and Celebrant is the capacity to include elements of religion, faith or spirituality. A Humanist ceremony is non-religious and often unable to include prayers, hymns or anything which suggests there is life after death. A Celebrant can use wording which may bring you comfort as a family, such as your loved one, ‘joining those they have loved as they rest together now.’ There is no requirement for you or your loved one to be of practising faith or church going to believe in a re-uniting or resting peacefully with another.
A Funeral Celebrant is not affiliated to any particular religion, faith or set of beliefs, yet embraces each of them – Christianity, Buddhism, Atheism, all welcome in line with your preferences. From wearing a particular colour, to an unusual music choice, to reciting The Lord’s Prayer. All of these choices are welcome, because Celebrants believe the only fitting tribute is one which best reflects a person’s individuality.
A Funeral Celebrant specialises in creating bespoke ceremonies, tailor made to the requirements of a family. A Celebrant will take a person-centred approach, keeping the deceased at the heart of the service. A Celebrant will commemorate who and what an individual has been in their lifetime.
In meeting the family or friends of the bereaved, a Celebrant will gather information and use it to prepare a eulogy or tribute, suitable for delivery at the funeral. In addition, a good Celebrant should be able to offer guidance with regards to supporting materials, such as poetry, readings and music.
As someone who is non-denominal, a Celebrant is free to include as little or as much religious or faith based content as their clients deem appropriate. The personal beliefs of the celebrant are irrelevant.
Celebrants usually work in cooperation with a Funeral Director, to ensure the smooth running of a funeral ceremony.
As an Independent Celebrant, I am free to work with any Funeral Director of your choosing.
