Types of Ceremonies
Honouring and Celebrating Life!
I am an independent funeral celebrant based in Manchester and it is my privilege to create and conduct a ceremony that is personalised and a true representation of the life of the person being honoured.
I will provide you with choices, flexibility and a glimmer of light on a dark day, to let you mourn but also to encourage you with some joy as you remember, pay tribute, reflect and delight in the life, stories and feelings of the person who has died.
My priority is to ease your burden in these difficult and painful times.
Funeral Ceremonies
A funeral is a ceremony for burying or cremating the person who has died and can take place in different locations, depending on the culture, religion and personal preferences of the person who has died. Some possible locations include, a church, crematorium, a cemetery, private land and a natural burial ground.
A funeral ceremony is part of the healing process and can be, formal, informal, semi religious, non-religious, spiritual, modern, traditional or a blend of all.
A funeral ceremony can also be away for us to express our grief, share our condolences, honour the life of the person who has died and support each other.
Celebration of Life Ceremony
A celebration of life ceremony is an event that commemorates the life of the person who is dying or who has died. It focuses on their achievements, personality and memories. In a venue of your choosing. A celebration of life ceremony is a way of expressing gratitude, joy and love for the person who is dying or has died, rather than mourning their death.
A celebration of life ceremony can be more informal, creative and more personalised than a traditional funeral. It may not involve the presence of the person who has died or the rituals that are common in funeral ceremonies.
A celebration of life ceremony can take place at any time and location and it may include activities, such as speeches, songs, prayers, stories, photos, videos or anything else for the person who person who is dying or who has died. There are no limits (just as long as it is legal!).
A celebration of life ceremony can take place after a direct burial or cremation which is when the person who has died is taken straight to the cemetery or crematorium without a funeral ceremony.
A celebration of life ceremony can be for someone who is alive. Some people call this a living funeral, a living wake or a pre-funeral and it is often done by people who are dying or in the later stages of their life. It is a way of saying farewell to their loved ones in their own way and on their own terms.
Internment of Ashes Ceremonies
Interment of ashes ceremony is the process of placing the cremated remains of a person in a permanent resting place. This could be a grave, a wall niche (an above ground burial space to hold cremated remains) or a natural burial site.
Interment of ashes can be accompanied by a ceremony that honours and remembers the person who has died. The ceremony can be formal or informal, non-religious, semi religious, spiritual, modern or tradition. It can include readings, prayers, music or other elements that reflect the person’s life and personality.
Interment of ashes can provide a sense of closure and comfort, as well as a place to visit and pay tribute in the future.
Memorial Ceremonies
A memorial service is a ceremony that honours and remembers a person who has died without the presence of their body or ashes. It tends to be sombre and is similar to a traditional funeral ceremony.
There is no formality to a memorial ceremony. Readings, prayers, songs, music and memory sharing can be part of the ceremony.
It is bespoke and personalised to the person who has passed and supports their wishes and how their family and friends would like to remember them whilst paying their respects.
Planning Your Own Ceremony
Together we will discuss your thoughts and ideas for your ceremony.
I will listen to your requests, what you value and what you believe in, to help me create a truly bespoke ceremony which honours and celebrates your life and legacy.
If you agree, I will also support you with the selection of music, readings, poems, symbols, rituals and help you with writing your eulogy. By working together, you can feel at peace your funeral plans whilst making sure that your family and friends share a beautiful and comforting experience.
I will strive to ensure your ceremony is authentic to you and your wishes are met.
Arranging a Ceremony
You may have experienced or are anticipating a death. Please take as much time as you need and reach out to me whenever you are ready. Arranging a ceremony for a loved one can be overwhelming and emotionally demanding. There is no rush. Remember you do not have to do everything at once or in any particular order.
When you are ready, we can arrange for me to come to your home or any place you feel safe and comfortable. The visit usually lasts around an hour to an hour and a half. I will talk to you with kindness and empathy while I get to know the person you have lost, their life, their stories, memories and anything else you would like to share. This time with you will help me create a meaningful, authentic and bespoke ceremony for both the person who has died and their family and friends. As an independent funeral celebrant, I will guide and support your choices including readings, poems, prayers, hymns and music.
It is important for me to recognise and respect the person who has died so I encourage you to include those semi-religious, spiritual and symbolic elements you wish to be part of the ceremony which represents their personality, culture, traditions, beliefs, inspirations and rituals.
After my visit, I will email to you a draft of the ceremony and you can make any changes you would like.
Prices start from - £225 for burial, cremation, celebration of life, memorial, scattering or burial of ashes ceremonies and from £75 for ashes scattering or burial ceremony (if I conduct the funeral ceremony). I require a 50% deposit on booking and the balance between 1 week and two days before the ceremony depending on the time frame of our first meeting and the date you have been given for the ceremony (if this fits your situation). If I have been engaged by the funeral director on your behalf then my fee will be included in the overall funeral costs so the above payment information would not apply.
As an independent funeral celebrant, I am here solely for you and to make you feel safe and supported in this challenging time. A time to celebrate a life.