How it works
If you're planning a funeral ceremony for a Cremation, Burial, Green Burial, Memorial, or are looking to pre-plan your own funeral, if you ask me to act as your Celebrant I will:
- Meet with you, and if appropriate, other family and close friends.
- Check details for the person and ceremony for accuracy.
- I would like to see pictures, hear stories, and learn about your loved one’s personality and achievements. This will help me build a portrait of who they were and what made them special to you.
- Understand the tone you want set for the ceremony. Also, as some people attending the funeral will hold a faith, moments of quiet reflection can be included when there is an opportunity for silent prayer.
- Go through the options with you … with Humanist Ceremonies there are no rules… just choices. Together we’ll tailor a ceremony that feels right for you and your loved one.
- If you would like me to I’ll write a Life Story (Eulogy), based off our conversation. If appropriate I can weave in stories and anecdotes from others or break the story with music from the era that’s being talked about.
- Help you select music and suggest appropriate poetry and/or readings, and build these into the ceremony.
- Communicate and coordinate with anyone who wishes to speak at the ceremony and guide them on what’s needed or the approach to take.
- Create an draft script based on everything we have discussed and send this to you. We then work together either via email, phone or I’ll visit again until you are completely happy with the final ceremony.
- Liaise with yourself and the Funeral Director on the creation of an Order of Ceremony (Service Sheet).
- Conduct the Ceremony, speaking on behalf of anyone who doesn’t want to speak but have prepared their own words.
- Provide you with a presentation copy of the ceremony script.
Emstrey in Shrewsbury and Telford Crematoriums use the Obitus system for music, visual tributes and livestreams - find out more: Say goodbye in your own unique way — Obitus
My prices include travel within a 30 mile radius of Shrewsbury for both family visits and ceremonies. Additional mileage will be charged for journeys outside of this area.
Ceremony types
Funerals
Ceremonies on the day
Ceremonies on the day
Held on the day of the cremation or burial with the ceremony held at the crematorium or graveside.
Ceremonies on the day
Ceremonies on the day
Ceremonies on the day
Some families prefer to have a ceremony away from the Crematorium or Burial Ground. These can be held anywhere and are much more of a full memorial but can have the coffin in place if wanted.
After this ceremony the coffin can be taken for either a direct cremation with no one in attendance or a much smaller, private ceremony at the crematorium or graveside.
Memorials
Ceremonies on the day
Ash Scattering\Burial
Memorials can be held on a later date with the ashes in place if wanted. These can be a longer and fuller ceremony and an opportunity to have a larger amount of people come together in a more personal space without time pressures. These can be held in any venue and followed by refreshments.
Ash Scattering\Burial
Ceremonies on the day
Ash Scattering\Burial
At a later date families may want a short ceremony when ashes are either scattered or buried. These are held at the final resting place of their loved one.