Every Goodbye is Different
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Funeral Ceremonies
Whether you're choosing a cremation or a burial, I'll craft a ceremony that tells your person's story with authenticity and care. Not the born, lived, died variety. The real version. The one where people laugh at the right moments and cry at the right moments and leave feeling like they actually said goodbye properly.
I'll weave in the things that mattered to them: their music, their words, their humour, their quirks. If you want readings or poetry, I'll help you choose. If you want family or friends to speak, I'll support them through it. If you want something unexpected (sweets at the door, candles to light, a favourite song that makes everyone smile), let's make it happen.
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Celebrations of Life
Following a direct cremation, some families choose to hold a separate celebration of life. This can be anywhere that feels right for the person you're celebrating: a pub, a golf club, a garden, a village hall, a favourite restaurant. There are no rules about where it has to happen. The only rule is that it should feel like them.
I'll work with you to create a ceremony that fits the setting and the person, whether that's formal speeches or something much more relaxed.
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Living Celebrations of Life
A living celebration is for someone who wants to be celebrated while they're still here. Perhaps they've received a terminal diagnosis and want to gather their people around them. Perhaps they simply want to hear the stories and the love while they can appreciate it.
These ceremonies are as varied as the people they're for, and it's a real honour to be part of them.
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Interment of Ashes
When the time comes to lay your nearest and dearest to rest, an interment of ashes ceremony provides a moment to pause, remember and say a final goodbye. Whether it's at a crematorium garden, a churchyard or a place that held special meaning, I'll create a simple, meaningful ceremony to mark the occasion.
From First Chat to Final Words
Here's how it works:
1. We talk. After an initial phone call or email, we'll get together. I'll come to you. Bring whoever you'd like: family members, friends, anyone who has a story to tell. I'm there to listen.
2. We gather the stories. This is the most important part. I'll ask you about the person you're celebrating. Not just the big life events, but the little things. The habits. The sayings. The things that made everyone roll their eyes or laugh. If someone can't make the meeting but wants to be included, I can contact them afterwards.
3. I write the ceremony. From those stories, I'll craft a full bespoke ceremony, including the order of service. I'll share a draft with you, and you have full editorial control. We go back and forth until it says exactly what you want.
4. I deliver the ceremony. On the day, I'll be there to deliver everything we've planned with care, professionalism and warmth. Making sure it all runs smoothly so you can focus on being present.
5. You keep it. After the ceremony, I'll provide you with a full copy of the script. It's yours to keep.
How We Walk This Together?
From the first conversation to the final goodbye, I’m there to listen, gather what matters most, and gently shape it into a ceremony that truly reflects your nearest and dearest.
You focus on being present
The Little Nods That Matter.
The details are what make a ceremony feel like the person it's for. I love working with families to find those little nods to who they were:
- Sweets and biscuits on chairs for guests, because that's what they liked
- Blowing bubbles as a moment of lightness
- Lighting candles in memory
- Audience participation: hand-holding around a graveside, shared readings, even karaoke if that's their thing
- Music that meant something to them, not just the standard playlist
- Photos, videos and personal touches woven through the ceremony
It's these details that people remember. And it's these details that make the ceremony unmistakably about your person.
Funeral celebrant fees and pricing
The Practical Bit.
I believe in being upfront about costs. You're already dealing with enough without having to chase down pricing.
Funeral ceremonies
CREMATION OR BURIAL
A fully bespoke ceremony crafted around your nearest and dearest. From the first phone call to the day itself, I'll guide you through every step.
From£250
Celebrations of life
Following direct cremation
A celebration held wherever feels right for them. A pub, a golf club, a garden, a village hall. Their kind of place.
From£250
Living celebrations of life
Why wait?
For those who want to celebrate while they're still here — surrounded by the people who love them, hearing the words out loud.
From£250
Interment of ashes
A MOMENT TO REST
A meaningful ceremony to mark the moment you lay your nearest and dearest to rest.
From£75
What's Included
— the little things
My fee covers everything you need:
- All phone and email communication throughout the process
- A personal visit to gather the stories and information for the ceremony
- Writing the full bespoke ceremony script
- Sharing the script with you and amending until you're completely happy
- Help and advice on poetry, readings, music and video if you'd like it
- Liaising with funeral directors and anyone else involved
- Conducting the ceremony on the day
- A full copy of the script for you to keep
- All travel within a 30-mile radius of Belvedere, Kent
Beyond 30 miles, I charge 55p per mile. I'll always let you know in advance if there's a travel cost.
You Don't Have to Know What You Want Yet.
That's honestly the most common starting point. Most families reach out and say, "We're not really sure what we want." That's completely fine. Working it out together is part of the process.
Whether you know you want something traditional and elegant, or you've got a hazy idea that you want something "a bit different" but aren't sure what that looks like, we'll figure it out.
I'm here to guide you through it. No pressure. No judgement. Just a conversation.