As each life, each death is unique so should the funeral or memorial ceremony be.
The death and funeral of a relative or friend is as much a part of our life as the birth of a new baby. It is an extremely emotional time and because most of us find it difficult to talk about death, especially that of some one close, we lose the opportunity to explore the many choices and options that are available to us as we prepare to say the final farewell.
Using the services of a Funeral Celebrant enables you to have the ceremony of your choice for your loved one and to break away from traditional ideas and stiff formality. It can be a chance to celebrate the life, loves and achievements of the person who has died.
A friend of mine had asked her family not to mourn and to ask everyone to wear pink, her favourite colour. My sister did patchwork and when she died, some of her beautiful bedspreads were displayed at the crematorium, hanging from the lectern and draped on the coffin. A funeral can be themed to suit an interest or passion from their life and can also be an opportunity to share with friends and family their likes, loves and last wishes.
In preparation for the ceremony, I will meet with you and your family to discuss your requirements and wishes and to listen to your anecdotes and memories to build a picture of the person you have lost.
Together we can choose music, readings and poems to create a ceremony that is unique, loving and memorable and one that captures the individuality of your loved one.
Some families prefer to have a simple cremation or burial with only close relatives present followed by a larger Memorial Ceremony which can be held at a place of your choice with less time restrictions than crematoriums.
I will work closely with Funeral Directors, Crematoriums and Burial Grounds to ensure that your every wish is adhered to.
Pre-Written Funeral Ceremonies
Nowadays more people consider pre-planning their own funeral ceremony. This may be because they know that the end of their life is in sight or its just something they want to do for their future so their nearest and dearest won’t have the burden of doing it.
Pre-planning your funeral ceremony can be very cathartic as it can give peace of mind and the reassurance that your family will not need to second guess your wishes or have to try and remember details of your life at this extremely difficult and emotional time. This allows the family to focus on the other more practical matters that arise while giving them the comfort of knowing that they have honoured your last wishes.
Perhaps you have considered this but are not sure of where to start. You may have some ideas or know what you don’t want but would like the opportunity to sit down with a celebrant to help you gather together your thoughts, memories and ideas and to write your ceremony.
When you are ready, I will visit you and together we will discuss the kind of ceremony you would like. This can include some religious elements such as a prayer and hymns or be completely non- religious (secular). You may have a favourite poem or reading that you would like included and maybe even a special person you would like to read it.
I can help you choose the music you would like to play as you enter the crematorium, for reflection time and as your family and friends leave.
We will chat together about your life so far: growing up, family and friends, hobbies, interests, memories and anecdotes. This creates the opportunity to celebrate your life, loves and achievements in a fitting eulogy that reflects your true personality.
There may be family or friends you would like to involve in telling the story of your life directly through anecdotes or recollections. If you would like them to say something at your funeral, then it would be best if they are asked first as some people do not like to speak in public or may think that they would be too emotional. Their anecdotes or recollections can still be used in your eulogy.
After our meeting I will draft your funeral ceremony and we would then go through the document very thoroughly and make any changes you wish to make. Once it is agreed you will receive a written copy.
For many people planning their funeral ceremony is an important part of their funeral plan. Your Funeral Director can have a copy of the document and a copy can be placed with the Will.
Writing your own funeral ceremony can be a very rewarding and comforting experience, knowing that you have taken this burden of decision from your family and loved ones. I can help make the ceremony part of the funeral the best, most appropriate and most personal that we can create.
For more information or to discuss your own personal needs please email me, hello@francesmaycelebrantservices.co.uk or complete the online Contact Form.
Funeral Services start from £170