A Civil Funeral

Ann's role as an Independent Celebrant offers you the opportunity to create a service that reflects the loss you are experiencing.  You can then mourn the loss or celebrate the life of someone close to you, whether a member of your family or friend.  In working closely with you, and also the family and friends involved in the arrangements, you can build on memories, anecdotes and recollections to ensure the memory of your loved one continues. 

There will be a lot for you to be thinking about at this difficult time and you may find the below aide memoire helpful:

  • What your favourite memories are
  • Any interesting stories that come to mind
  • Favourite or appropriate music for the funeral, to be played when you arrive and leave
  • Favourite poems or sayings, or any particular passages to read
  • Did the person who has died have a favourite hymn or would they want some religious content, for example The Lord's Prayer
  • Do you know all the family connections - if not, do you know who to ask?
  • Think about their career, jobs, hobbies, special talents
  • Involve children if possible - they have such a special way of demonstrating lightness and love

What happens next...

Ann will make contact with you, by prior appointment, to talk to you in person at a venue convenient to you or over the phone, FaceTime or Zoom, so that you can discuss the life of the person who has died and the type of funeral they would want to have.  During these discussions, you and Ann will plan the actual funeral ceremony itself and from the information you provide, Ann will write a tribute on your behalf or assist you to deliver your own, or those of family and friends.  By working in conjunction with your Funeral Director and members of staff at the Crematorium or the burial ground, Ann will be there to greet you, conduct the ceremony and ensure the service runs exactly as you would wish. 

If you are stuck for poems or readings, don't worry as Ann has a compilation you can go through to find the right ones for you.

Where Ann officiates:

  • Crematoria in the region
  • Cemetery chapels followed by burials
  • Graveside or Woodland Burial only services
  • Interment or the Scattering of Ashes