Bespoke Funeral Ceremonies
When someone you care about departs this life it is a time of sorrow and mourning. It is also time to bid them farewell and release them with your love. There are many ways in which this can be done. A traditional ceremony with familiar words can be a source of comfort for some but is not meaningful for everyone. Should you be looking for something more personal maybe I can help.
Working with close family and/or friends I will create a Bespoke Funeral Ceremony that lovingly reflects and honours the true spirit of the one whose life is being celebrated. It will also be respectful of the differing values and beliefs of all those who are intimately involved. A ceremony such as this can help bring comfort at a very difficult time.
The Bespoke Funeral Ceremony can take any form you wish and could include music, poetry, readings, the lighting of candles and/or any other rituals you deem to be appropriate.
Any spiritual elements such as prayers and/or blessings will be created and delivered from a heart-felt connection with the Sacred.
Family and/or friends may feel comfortable preparing and delivering their own Tribute(s) or you may prefer me to put something into words and/or read it for you. You could already have a clear idea what you would like or you might be looking for suggestions. If the funeral was planned in advance maybe you are just looking for someone to put everything together and take the ceremony on the day.
Our first meeting - a home visit - enables us to discuss possibilities and commit to working together. Once I have a feel for the Alternative Funeral Ceremony you wish to create I prepare a draft for your approval which is emailed to you. Further discussions and refinements take place by phone and email. Once you are completely satisfied I will conduct the Alternative Funeral Ceremony for you on the day, unless you wish otherwise.
There are no legal restrictions around where a ceremony takes place or the wording of it. This means that you could, for instance, choose to hold the ceremony at home, in a village hall, a pub, a club or your garden prior to interment or cremation.
At a Crematorium
Ceremonies at a crematorium are a popular choice. Most crematoria schedule funerals every half hour or 45 minutes. This means that the maximum time for the Ceremony will be either 20 or 30 minutes, depending upon the schedule of the chosen crematorium. Should you wish to have a longer period of time you might wish to book a 'double slot'.
It may be possible to have a burial following a ceremony in a crematorium. This is particularly likely if the crematorium is situated within a cemetery.
Natural Burial Grounds
Green funerals are becoming increasingly popular as people become more concerned about the environment. Some natural burial grounds have a building where a Ceremony can be held while other sites have nowhere undercover. In this case a Ceremony may be held at another location beforehand. Alternatively a graveside Ceremony is a possibility.
The Association of Natural Burial Grounds has a list of natural burial grounds run by its members and outlines its codes of practice on its website (see 'Links' for contact details).
Only environmentally-friendly coffins and shrouds are acceptable at natural burial grounds. There are many coffins that satisfy this requirement including those made from willow, sea grass, banana leaf and cardboard as well as the ecopod which is made from recycled paper. It is also possible to use many of these coffins at the crematorium.
Fee £200.00
Travel expenses may be payable
Should you be arranging a funeral please phone me on
0776 349 3058 so I can respond with the minimum of delay
The butterfly
leaves the dry cocoon
and plumps
its wings
I can also work with you in the creation of Memorial Services and Ceremonies for the Scattering of Ashes
