Independent Funeral Celebrant in Shropshire & Mid Wales
“At the start of this process I thought the funeral was just something that had to be got out of the way. Instead with your thought and care, it has been a very healing process for me and I think significant for other members of the family too” A.C.
When we lose a loved one, our world changes forever. I will listen and support you in creating a beautiful and unique funeral. I'll meet you in person if at all possible and I’ll spend time with you, listening to your stories and memories which I will weave into a personal ceremony that is all about the person we are saying goodbye to. We’ll consider what music, poetry and readings will truly reflect and celebrate the person who has died, and what rituals might add depth to the ceremony. If friends or family wish to speak I will support them and ensure their words flow smoothly as part of the overall ceremony. I will send you a draft copy of the service before the day for your amendments and approval. On the day I’ll give you a printed keepsake copy and afterwards I’ll send you a digital copy of the keepsake script.
Creating and planning the funerals for my father and then my mother made me fully appreciate the importance of these shared ceremonies, and I decided to train professionally as a funeral celebrant. I truly believe that a good funeral can be an important part of the grieving process, helping you to say farewell with compassion, love and respect.
I offer a safe pair of hands, a listening ear and a warm heart.
Funeral ceremonies fees are from £250.
A funeral at home is perfectly possible - image used with kind permission from the family
Sian places flowers picked from their garden on top of a willow coffin
”I feel you are an unusually special person and what you give to the service is the human touch, making it light and uplifting which is a gift to the person who we are sending off but mostly to those feeling their loss. Having you taking us through the service is a comfort in itself and I would always recommend you to anyone, for any ceremony.” KC
“We are so grateful to have found you. Thank you sincerely, not just for your work, but also the little big extra things, such as the touches you added to the keepsake, and for the clear guidance at a time of great turmoil. You gave us the energy to make some difficult and unconventional decisions, and I am glad we were able to join together to create a fitting and relevant ceremony that felt right” MH, a funeral held at home
You have choices.
Most people do not realise how much flexibility and choice there is around funerals. It’s good to talk about your wishes before hand if possible, so your family know what you would like.
If you use a funeral director you can still request a specific celebrant for your service.
Most civil funerals take place at a crematorium, where services are time limited, and there is limited opportunity to ‘dress the space’. On the plus side there is often the facility to deliver visual tributes via a screen, should you wish this
Local cemetries and green burial grounds offer the opportunity for outdoor gatherings with no time constraints. This can be the ideal choice for nature lovers.
Direct cremation is also an option. This avoids the time constraint of a crematorium service and I can help you to create a meaningful ceremony around the interment of ashes or memorial gathering. (Picture below from an interment of ashes service).
You can also hold a funeral or memorial service in a village hall, marquee, hotel or pub function room, or even in your own home or garden. It just needs to be somewhere that has the right capacity and atmosphere for what you want. See my Memorial page for more information.
Creating a unique funeral ceremony
Whichever of the paths you choose I can work with you to create the service which will be a wholly unique and memorable occasion that truly reflects the individual.
Our initial meeting and conversation will be followed up with further contact by phone, email, or in person to ensure everything is just right. I will spend time with you, your family and friends listening to your stories and memories and getting the factual information accurate. I will then weave these into a personal ceremony that really reflects the life to be celebrated.
We will discuss the music, poetry, readings or prayers you would like to be included. I have a love of poetry and a wide ranging collection and I can help with suggestions if you would like.
There are small considered touches that can make a big difference - how you dress the coffin, what poems or music you chose or how different family members can be involved.
Friends and family members are welcome to speak at the service and I will ensure their words dovetail smoothly into the overall ceremony. I encourage and support participation from those who wish to be actively part of the ceremony and can make suggestions as to how this can be achieved.
I will send you a draft copy of the service before the day for your approval and a final copy for safe keeping afterwards.
I am a member of the Good Funeral Guild, a collective of like-minded people working to change funerals for the better.
“Thank you Sian for all your amazing efforts towards making our father’s funeral an unexpectedly pleasurable experience. You listened so well to our conversations beforehand, and composed such a wonderful script - we have heard back from so many people, who either attended or watched online, saying it was the loveliest funeral they had experienced. We can’t thank you enough basically!” R.B
