Funeral Services
My ceremonies aim to celebrate the life of your loved one with compassion, love and respect and set their family and friends on a path toward acceptance.
Cremation/Burial Ceremonies
​​Each service I write is individual and tells a story: it conveys the influence your loved one's life had upon those around them, how other people's lives were enriched by simply knowing them and how they will be remembered in the hearts and memories of others.
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The Handcrafted ceremony will reflect the wishes of the deceased and any element they, or their loved ones want to include. Whilst the committal part of the ceremony is confined to a crematorium or cemetery, the service can be undertaken anywhere giving you complete freedom.
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I work alongside funeral directors so we collectively deliver a funeral that is both bespoke and sensitive to those involved.
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​​Prices from £225
Scattering/Interment of Ashes
Choosing a final, permanent resting place for your loved one is often part of the healing process. Interring or scattering ashes allows for family and friends to have a place to visit and to pay respects to the deceased.
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Interment or scattering of ashes can be undertaken anywhere; a memorial garden, a burial plot or even on private land. Handcrafted Ceremonies will work with the deceased's family to create the perfect, bespoke service that reflects your wishes and celebrates a life well-lived. It can be sculpted to include any poems, readings, music or rituals you would like in order that the ceremony is the most personal it can be.
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Prices from £70 (if I have undertaken the funeral service)
Standalone memorial services from £150
Living tributes/eulogies
Whilst pre-planned funerals are becoming more common place as we try to ensure our loved ones don't have the burden of funeral arrangements, they tend to deal with the necessities of a funeral rather than the service itself.
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Having experienced a recent family bereavement after a period of illness, I realised that many of us have stories that we would like to share or messages to our loved ones that we would like to be heard upon our passing. Eulogies and tributes for a funeral service are often written retrospectively but that does not need to be the case. I can meet with you and document in your own words your unique life story, the highlights, the lessons you’ve learnt and the people you have always been grateful for. We can sit together to create your own complete funeral service, your eulogy/tribute or messages for those you love.
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The service, eulogy or messages can be stored with your personal paperwork and a record kept with myself should you wish so when your funeral plans are required, your wishes for your service are also documented and ready. If you require me to be your funeral celebrant, then I will ensure I liaise with your chosen funeral directors to deliver your service when the time comes.
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​​Prices from £185
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the funeral service?
The length of the funeral service differs from location to location. Typically, the service itself lasts anywhere between 10- 20 minutes with time for arrival and departure either side of the ceremony itself. Crematoriums have strict timings to adhere to whereas graveside burials often have a little more leeway. If you know where the funeral is planned to take place, we can discuss the details further when we meet.
What does a funeral service comprise of?
The structure of a funeral service can be shaped around the wishes of the deceased and their family. Usually, the family will proceed into the chapel to a piece of music and I will open the service with a few words of introduction. Every funeral is different in what a family want to include so there may be opportunities to show a visual tribute of treasured memories to some music; a reading or poem may be performed by a family member, friend or myself and then a eulogy or written tribute to the deceased is read. This typically incorporates words and stories from loved ones. Hymns or music can be played too according to your wishes. Finally, the committal itself is performed where we say our final goodbye and recess from the chapel. The committal itself must be performed in a crematorium or cemetery but the remainder of the service can be undertaken anywhere. We can discuss your requirements more specifically when meeting.
Can I add something to the service on the day?
This very much depends on the length of the service that we are restricted to by the venue and whether there is time within the service that has been written to do this. Ultimately, the deceased's next of kin has to agree any amendments. Often, if someone has decided to include something at the last moment, then their words and tribute can be performed in a more relaxed manner at the wake or gathering after the formal service.
What if I can't go through with the reading on the day?
Don't worry. This can and does happen as emotions are naturally running high. I always request copies of any readings prior to the day of the funeral so I have sight of any words that are to be said and if necessary, I will read these on your behalf if you feel unable to.
How many songs/photos can I include?
The length of the service, as determined by the venue, can influence how many songs and photos that can be included. Three songs or hymns are about the usual number: one for entry, one for the period of reflection that is in the service and one for the recessional. Of course, the service can always be adapted so there are less words and readings and more music should you wish. Where visual tributes are requested with your chosen funeral director, then typically, 30-40 photos of your loved one would be able to be shown. A static photo can be used throughout the ceremony, if you prefer.
When will I meet you at the service?
I will be there to greet you prior to the service starting. If your guests are to be seated before the coffin enters, then I will have addressed them briefly before the service begins. When you're ready, I will then lead the procession into the chapel, church or crematorium and welcome everyone. At the end of the service, I will follow you out of the venue to where any floral tributes have been laid.
How much is a funeral service and how do I pay?
For the funeral service element, my costs start at £250 and include meeting with you beforehand to find out more about your loved one and to plan the service. I then prepare and write the service itself, communicating the details to you prior to the day. We'll discuss any music, readings etc you want to include which I will liaise with the venue and/or funeral director to include. Should you wish to include any symbolic rituals such as candles then I will source these for you -please be aware that there may be an additional charge for specific items. Typically, we will have one face to face meeting but I will be on hand via email and phone to finalise any details ahead of the service. If you booked the funeral through a funeral directors then they will take my fee on my behalf, otherwise I will provide an invoice directly to the family after the funeral has been undertaken.
What if my question isn't answered here?
If you have any questions that you can't find an answer to here, please just ask. You can call me on 07861 177611 or email on handcraftedceremonies@outlook.com
My clients say:
“The family members both thought you were lovely when they met with you. I spoke to the family and to Vicky (the Funeral Director) and both said it was a beautiful service."
Co-operative Funeralcare