YORKSHIRE CEREMONIES
FUNERALS
""Glynis is a caring and compassionate individual. She is extremely confident and organised and always adds something special to the service at such a desperate time. I am always impressed with her ability to communicate with the clients to obtain as much information as possible and to make the service totally unique to the family." - Funeral Director
"We would like to express once more our heartfelt thanks to you for your exemplary and compassionate service, both in the preparations of, and conduction of D's touching and most memorable ceremony. We greatly appreciate all your care and attention."
"My mother would have also loved the service which everyone said was perfect. Very personal and they particularly liked the fact you asked us up to the front for the Committal. It’s strange, what I thought was going to be quite a gruelling day turned out to be one to look back on with happiness and in some ways I wish I could see it all again as it went too quickly."
If you've arrived at this page, then please accept my heartfelt sympathy as you be go through an immensely difficult period in your life. Arranging a funeral or a memorial service for someone close to you will probably be the most difficult thing you've ever had to face. It may be that you had an opportunity to talk with your loved one about the kind of funeral ceremony they wanted to have, but if not, we'll work together to ensure whatever ceremony you want to create is as individual as the loved one whose life you're celebrating.
Historically, funeral services were officiated by religious ministers from a local Church, but families prefer a much more personalised service these days, focussing on their loved one rather than religion: a celebrant led ceremony gives you that flexibility. For many people, life isn't quite as clear-cut as declaring you either have no beliefs whatsoever, or that you are affiliated to a particular religion.
As an Interfaith Minister and celebrant, I will enable you to commemorate your loved one's parting in whichever way you deem fit whether that is entirely non-religious, or perhaps by recognising that there is something after this life (but you're not quite sure what that is), or by being quite traditionally religious. It is a ceremony that will reflect the wishes of the family and of the person who has died, and is a highly personal and individualised tribute.
"My family and I wish to send you our heartfelt gratitude for officiating the funeral ceremony for S. You were so calm and professional, but really kind and caring towards us all, which was very much appreciated. The funeral really reflected S and despite it being such a difficult day, we all felt the service was really beautiful and allowed us all to reflect on her life.
"You will be a massive loss to us and to the highlands – there is no one like you, so much attention to detail and so caring and calm through such difficult times for families.
Thank you for all your incredible work." - Funeral Director
"Your ability to pull out the relevant information to illustrate a flowing and concise picture of our Mum’s life and experiences was greatly appreciated. The service was truly beyond our expectations, you brought the best memories of our Mum to life; this undoubtedly will help us, as a family, to find our way along the healing path."
What does a funeral Celebrant actually do?
As soon as I get a call from you, I will arrange to meet you at your home or at the Funeral Director's office. We'll have a long chat about your loved one and I'll get lots of details about what they were like so that the funeral service is as personalised and as meaningful to you as it can possibly be. After that meeting, which can last up to two hours, I will prepare a service for you.
What does a ceremony typically include?
That depends, of course, on where the service is taking place, but it will usually include some or all of the following:
-
Music as mourners enter the venue
-
A welcome and introduction
-
A reading by either the Celebrant or a close family member
-
Eulogy
-
Tributes made by family and friends
-
Reflection time with music
-
Words of Committal
-
Prayers - if you want them
-
Music as mourners leave the venue
Where will I find readings and poems for the service?
On the next page of this website, you will see poems and readings for funerals, some of them divided into sections to reflect your loved one's interests.
Do I have to write and deliver the eulogy myself?
A Celebrant's job is to make all of this as easy on you as possible, so I will usually write the eulogy for you and deliver it at the ceremony. However, if you want to write the eulogy and deliver it yourself, that's fine, too, and if you get stuck, I'll be there to help you out.
How much does it cost for a funeral celebrant?
My basic cost is £300 but it may increase depending on the length of your service and your personal requirements. That includes the pre-meetings with you, the time it takes to prepare your service, and then delivering the service itself.
How do we book you?
You can either contact me directly, or give me details to your Funeral Director who will contaat me on your behalf.