07501 351091 info@celebrantnorfolk.co.uk
I’m a professional Independent Celebrant and I’m passionate about my celebrant practice. I was reflecting recently about what being a celebrant means to me. To do that, understanding my values, principles, and what I represent, are key to my celebrant practice.
People say they feel included and that my style brings everyone into the narrative. I’m unconventional, my ceremonies uplifting; not just a funeral, more, much more, than a wake.
I believe that everyone’s life deserves to be celebrated with feeling, warmth, compassion and respect. We haven’t all led remarkable lives but each of us is remarkable in our own way. I’m always inspired, often in awe of and occasionally humbled by the people I hear about.
We only have one chance to get a celebration of life right, there’s no rehearsal, no second chance...
Why I’m passionate about Celebrating Life after a Direct (unwitnessed) Cremation
Although on one level I have always made celebrating lives and marking rites of passage a tenet of my celebrant practice, I finally realised just how important it is to us when my mother died in Essex on the 23rd of March 2020. That’s a date indelibly etched on my mind as it was also the day the first Covid lockdown was announced.
Fortunately we were able to be with mum in the hospital as she quietly passed away. As we were leaving a patient with Covid was being rushed from A&E to intensive Care. And so the nightmare began...
We weren’t able to have a funeral as we lived in Norfolk; travel was restricted, so we had to settle for a direct cremation. I was in limbo for six months until, as restrictions were eased, we were able to hold a celebration of life with a few family and close friends in a hotel local to us.
Over afternoon tea, which she would have loved, and later with a toast we each shared memories of mum. There was laughter and tears whilst everyone learnt more about mum and her life. We lit a candle to bring her into the room with us, played some of her favourite songs and made a book of memories. In so many ways it was better than a funeral; relaxed, fitting and joyful.
I was finally able to open the door to my grief...
Talking about Death
I also wish that more people would talk about death, dying and what they would like for their funeral. If we want to get the celebration of life we deserve, we need to talk about it with the people who matter. Please start the conversation, write down your wishes and share them with the person who you want to organise your funeral. I can help you have that conversation.
You might also want to look at Katie Costello’s website. She’s an award winning Soul Midwife and Celebrant who I know and respect greatly.
Thank you for my Mum’s Funeral. Judy you were absolutely fantastic, I would like to say thank from the bottom of my heart. Judy you really did us proud at a difficult time. My mum would really have approved, the service was a true reflection of my mum, I felt as if you knew my mum. Xx
Looking to celebrate a life with love, joy and gratitude?
Contact us today to see how we can shape a ceremony that gives thanks to life.
