End of Life Ceremonies

A Funeral Service (£250*)

This is a burial, or cremation service to mourn a death, and to celebrate the life that has been lived. This service concludes in the committal of the body – either to a grave, or with some final words spoken at the crematorium.

In a crematorium, the service normally lasts around 30 minutes although some crematoriums can offer services up to 1 hour. Extra time can be arranged with your Funeral Director.

A Memorial Service (£250*)

Memorial services take place separately after a funeral service. They are an occasion where the individual is remembered, their loss is acknowledged, and their life is celebrated. As with funeral ceremonies, memorial ceremonies are created in close liaison with family and friends. Some choose to have a memorial service soon after the cremation, or burial, although others may decide to wait until a longer period of time has passed

Scattering or Interring (Burying) of Ashes (£80* if I conducted the original service, £125* if I did not conduct the original service).

A cremation service may have already taken place at an earlier time, so that a ceremony for the scattering, or interring of ashes is required. This can be in a special or meaningful place and can provide a time of closeness for family and friends to share their thoughts and memories of the loved one that they have lost. Some choose to have this service soon after the cremation, although others may decide to wait until a longer period of time has passed.

Planning a Funeral in Advance (£125*)

As they approach the time of their death, a person may wish to make plans for their own funeral service. I can provide a compassionate service to listen, support, guide, and then plan the funeral service that reflects the individual’s thoughts, ideas, and wishes. In this way they, and their family, and friends can take comfort in knowing that their wishes will be carried out at the appropriate time.

*My fees are inclusive of a 30-mile radius of Bedford, Bedfordshire, but I am also willing to travel to other locations, with additional travel expenses. Any travel over 30 miles will incur an additional charge of 0.45p per mile.

Get in Touch

What to Expect

Whether you contact me through your Funeral Director, or directly, I will normally be in touch with you within 24 hours so that we can arrange a time and a place for us to meet, and agree who else you may wish to join us for that meeting - such as family members, friends, or neighbours, as appropriate.

Usually, the meeting will take place in your home, but we can arrange to meet at the Funeral Director’s premises, or even a coffee shop, if you prefer.

When we meet, we will talk about the people who were important to the person who has died. We will also discuss how your loved one spent their time, including any hobbies and interests, the jobs they held, the music they listened to, etc. You may wish to share stories, memories, or information about key occasions which will help the service to reflect the unique aspects of the person you are remembering.

We will also discuss the structure and content of the service, including any specific wishes that your loved one may have had regarding their ceremony. You may want family members, friends, or colleagues to contribute to the service – e.g., read a poem, share a reading, say a prayer, or to share anecdotes and stories. Some families prefer to leave the speaking to the celebrant, or to have a combination of both. Whatever your choices, your ceremony will be bespoke.

If required, I can help you to select poems, readings, songs, music, plus any hymns or prayers that you would like to include.

Within 48 hours of our meeting, I will email you the first draft of the funeral service structure and content, including the eulogy if you have asked me to write this. You will have an opportunity to review it and make as many amendments as you see fit. I will make changes in light of your comments, and we will continue to exchange drafts until you feel that it best reflects the ceremony that you wish to have for your loved one.

I will liaise with anyone who will be speaking on the day, to check that they are happy and confident in their role in the service.

I will ensure that the Funeral Director is aware of all music, poems, prayers, or reading choices and that these, along with the agreed running order for the service, are reflected accurately in the Order of Service (arranged by the Funeral Director, or by you) should you decide to have one.

On the day of the service, I will arrive at the venue 20 minutes before the service is due to begin. I will deliver the service, and co-ordinate with the crematorium re: any music or photograph tributes.

After the service, I will present you with a keepsake copy of the eulogy.

‘What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.’
Helen Keller - author, activist, and lecturer.