Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful – Rita Dove By carefully selecting a poem, you can add depth and meaning to a funeral ceremony. Poetry can bring humour, romance, spirituality, and a sense of occasion to the service, evoking feelings and emotions and can be an incredible source of comfort and …
When a loved one dies, it can be difficult for relatives and close friends, whether sudden or expected. The emotion and grief may sweep you up; specific responsibilities need to be carried out, including arranging the funeral. You may have had an opportunity to speak to the person who has died before their death, and …
6 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Funeral Celebrant Read More »
‘Nestled deep in the UK countryside is The Repair Shop,’[1] and I love it, for all sorts of reasons; I love how they restore items their owners’ believed were beyond repair and within a warm atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual respect. I love how the programme’s team of highly skilled craftspeople transform pieces of family history …
When a person dies usually family or close friends are required to arrange the funeral, this can be a daunting and difficult task, while also grieving. We have put together this information to help guide you through the process of organising a funeral, and the general information in this guide applies throughout England, however, any …
A common misconception is that funerals must be led by a Minister of Religion (representing a faith community) or a Humanist (expressing a non-religious world view). Ministers of Religion are bound by religious statutes and often feel duty-bound to proclaim their unique message of faith as part of the funeral service. Sometimes a Humanist can be …
Funeral Service – Celebrant, Minister or Humanist? Read More »
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions put in place, funeral services have had to adapt. With restrictions on traditional gatherings, after service wakes, and even the singing of hymns, it has been difficult for many families to give their loved ones the send-off they would have liked. However, with an array of technology …
5 Ways To Make A Funeral Special Despite Covid-19 Read More »
Memory, when effectively used, can give strength and vitality in the face of grief. Photographs and songs can be powerful vehicles for solace and provide valuable links to those we love. A forgotten scent, a song or a photograph can bring something of the past in the present in ways the spoken word cannot. When …
Transitional moments in life encourage us to ask the big questions. What is the meaning of life? What happens to us when we die? All perfectly natural. Ideas and concepts that seem hard for us to grasp can be effortless to understand when illustrated. Therefore parables, fables and analogies are helpful ways to enhance our …
Our words are important, but as Peter Drucker once said, “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said,” – and I couldn’t agree more. When it comes to honouring a life, we perhaps place a little too much emphasis on what is said about the person, rather than taking as much care …
My 15-year-old son recently asked me to buy him a new phone charger. After some persuasion, I agreed. I started scrolling up and down Amazon and suddenly realised there were so many. Which one do I pick? Some of them were unbelievably cheap, and I was tempted to go with the price, but then, just as …
