Introduction to my funeral services

Losing a loved one is never easy, and arranging a funeral can often feel overwhelming. As a professional celebrant, my role is to provide families with support during this difficult time by guiding them through the process of creating a meaningful service that honours the life and legacy of their loved one.

Funeral services led by a celebrant are an opportunity to reflect on the life of the deceased in a deeply personal and heartfelt way. Whether you’re looking for a traditional service, a more contemporary ceremony, or a ceremony that celebrates the individual’s unique journey, I can help you design a service that truly reflects their spirit and values.

What is a Funeral Celebrant?

A funeral celebrant is a professional who works with families to create and conduct funeral and memorial services. Unlike religious ministers, celebrants offer a non-religious or interfaith option that can be tailored to the specific beliefs and wishes of the deceased and their family.

Personalised and Compassionate Services

Each person’s life is unique, and their farewell should reflect that individuality. I offer personalized funeral and memorial services that will include:

  • Personal Tributes: Speaking about the life of the deceased, sharing special memories, stories, and achievements that celebrate their journey.
  • Readings and Music: Selecting meaningful readings, poems, or songs that were significant to your loved one or that reflect their personality.
  • Custom Rituals: Creating rituals or ceremonies that hold significance for the family, such as lighting candles, releasing doves, or a symbolic gesture that honours the deceased.
  • Non-Religious or Interfaith Services: A service that is inclusive of different faiths or non-religious backgrounds, ensuring that the service is meaningful to everyone present.

The role of the Funeral Celebrant

As your funeral celebrant, I will:

  • Meet with you and your family to understand the life, values, and wishes of the deceased. This usually takes place in your own home, but this is completely at the needs of the family and could also be in a venue of your choice to meet privately.
  • Work with you to create a service that brings comfort and peace while honouring your loved one’s memory.
  • Lead the ceremony with compassion, sensitivity, and professionalism, ensuring that the service is handled with dignity and care.
  • Offer a variety of suggestions for readings, rituals, and music that can add a personal touch to the ceremony.
  • Liaise with your funeral director and any other official supporting the funeral or cremation to ensure a very smooth experience happens which enables a time of reflection.

She made the day so special and we will always be grateful to her for this. As a family we would like to thank Helen and unconditionally recommend her to anyone.

Living Funerals

A living funeral can be a powerful, healing, and cathartic experience for both the person and their loved ones

Learn More

Planning with care and compassion

Planning a funeral or memorial service can feel like an overwhelming task, especially when emotions are high. I will guide you through the process with care and sensitivity, helping you to make decisions that feel right for your family and for the person you are remembering. Together, we will create a ceremony that is meaningful, personal, and heartfelt.

Masterclass Graduate

In order to be a funeral celebrant that can give support to families in the most difficult of times, Helen has completed the Masterclass training from Katie Costello, Soul Midwife. Katie, in her very useful website, Katie Costello - Soul Midwife and Funeral Celebrant | Soul midwife provides families with detailed support and information about the end of life. You may find it useful to look at this attachment and discuss this with your next of kin; some families or individuals may wish to prepare for their end of life care, support and also their funeral, prior to their passing. This document is of particular use (attachment of jpg) and also this website will also support individuals. ReSPECT for patients and carers | Resuscitation Council UK

If you would like to consider writing, or planning your own funeral and eulogy, please contact me. We can co-create your ceremony together, appreciating the needs of your family and of yourself, to be used whenever it might be needed.

Memorial and funeral pricing

A funeral at a burial ground or crematorium are usually booked through your chosen local funeral director. They will pass on all of your information to Helen and then she will be in touch with you to arrange a family meeting, usually held at your home at a time that suits you.

Pricing for Memorials and Funerals is based upon the following:

  • A family meeting to meet the family of the deceased, to discuss what you would like for your special service to celebrate their life. This will include supporting and advising on music, poems, readings.
  • Liaison throughout with your funeral directors and venue/crematorium to ensure that the logistics are exactly what is required.
  • WhatsApp, phone and email contact with Helen.
  • Memorial/Funeral script written and drafted with your thoughts, special wishes and symbolic rituals all included.
  • Inclusion of all cultures, faith, loves and family into the service.
  • The final service will be sent to you 4-5 days before the day, which means that all final drafts can be completed.
  • Helen will ensure that the service takes place within the time conditions of the venue, particularly individual crematoriums.
  • Recce of the venue, particularly if this is a hotel or home/garden to ensure that the service supports all guests.
  • A presentation script in a presentation folder will be posted to the close family following the service.

£250 total for a crematorium funeral or funeral and burial

£300 for a memorial at a venue

where Helen will also liaise with the venue to ensure that the service is appropriate, sort the music, advise on the memorial space and be available to support this set up and preparation.

Pre-planned Memorial cost £350

Helen has also worked with families to prepare a memorial service prior to the death of their family member; this could be at someone’s bedside, or years before their passing.This cost would be £200 for the writing and family meeting; drafting and sending a final version of the script. She will then support the family when their family member passes away and provides the service for an additional £150.