There are many similarities and overlaps with services in natural burial grounds, but you have more freedom to choose. It can be a much cheaper option, especially with a direct (unwitnessed) cremation either before or afterwards.
I’ve shared some ideas for creative and very personalised celebrations of life below, but I have so many more ideas, so many more examples… just contact me and we can talk through all the possibilities.
Venues and locations
There is no legal requirement to use a crematorium or burial ground for the funeral. (Also see FAQs)
- You can choose a venue or location that matches the personality, passions, hobbies, interests or profession of the person whose life you are celebrating. I can help you with your choice and liaise with the venue
- Providing there is adequate access, the coffin can be present in the venue; please ensure the venue owner is comfortable with that beforehand though...
- You can enjoy food and a drink during the celebration of life and propose a toast with their favourite tipple. Maybe there’ll be live music to dance to later...
Special Touches
- There are so many touches that you can include; the sky’s the limit – literally. I once officiated at an amazing, immersive Shamanic funeral for a young man. We finished by sending some of his ashes up into the dark evening sky in fireworks. The display was spectacular!
- There are no time constraints – only the amount of time you’ve booked. Of course, if you’re in your own or a relative’s garden, a meadow or a farmer’s field, you have plenty of time.
- You can be really creative. A display of their artwork in a village hall, a tour of a cricket pitch where they batted, bowled or fielded with stations where their greatest achievements are read out and shared by team-mates, a picnic on a favourite beach or woodland glade or on their allotment with their fruit, vegetables and tools being shared out, for instance.
- If you have the coffin within the gathering, have some permanent markers to write messages to them, maybe paint pictures on a cardboard or unvarnished wooden coffin, handprints are good too.
