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FAQ’s

What is a funeral celebrant?
A funeral celebrant is an independent professional who creates and conducts a personalised funeral ceremony on your behalf. Unlike a minister or vicar, I have no religious affiliation, which means the ceremony is entirely focused on the person who has died and what feels right for your family. I write and deliver the eulogy, guide the structure of the service, and support you throughout the whole process.

A humanist celebrant follows a strictly non-religious philosophy and will not include any religious content. As a civil celebrant, I offer greater flexibility – my ceremonies are personal and non-religious at heart, but I can include religious elements such as a hymn, the Lord’s Prayer, or a religious reading if that is meaningful to your family. Most of the ceremonies I conduct have no religious content, but there are no rules – only what feels right for you.

Absolutely! In fact some of my most memorable ceremonies have been anything but traditional. There are very few rules, and my role is to guide and advise you, not to limit you. If your loved one had a passion, a personality, or a sense of humour that deserves to be celebrated, we can build the ceremony around that.

Themes are warmly welcomed, and yes, I am happy to dress up. Singalongs, meaningful rituals, multiple pieces of music, sound effects, live singers or musicians taking part in the service – all of these are possible. I have seen ceremonies that have made people laugh, cry, and everything in between, and often it is the unexpected touches that families remember most fondly.

The starting point is always the same simple question: what do you want for your person?
From there, we work together to create something that feels completely true to who they were. Nothing is too much to ask – just talk to me.

Yes, absolutely. You are completely free to choose your own celebrant, and I would be honoured to be considered. If you are working with a funeral director, simply let them know that you would like me to conduct the ceremony and they will liaise with me directly from there. Funeral directors are very used to families having their own celebrant in mind and will be happy to accommodate your wishes.

Pure Cremation plans provide for a direct, unattended cremation, which means there is no traditional funeral service. However, families often still want the opportunity to come together, say a proper goodbye and celebrate their loved one’s life. If this is the case, Pure Cremation’s memorial hall or their smaller Oak Room at Charlton Park Crematorium is available to book for a ceremony.

This works a little differently to a traditional funeral arrangement because there is no funeral director involved, so you would liaise directly with Pure Cremation regarding practical arrangements such as music, and you would contact me directly to book and plan the ceremony itself. My role on the day remains exactly the same – I will still meet with you beforehand, get to know your loved one through your memories, and create and conduct a ceremony that gives them the meaningful farewell they deserve.

If you are in this situation and would like to discuss how it works, please do get in touch as I am very happy to talk it through with you.

As soon as you feel ready, most families contact me within the first two weeks following a death, sometimes after an initial meeting with their funeral director. I generally need a minimum of three to five days to create a ceremony I am truly proud of, though in exceptional circumstances I can work to a tighter timescale. The typical lead time is two to three weeks, which allows us to meet properly, take our time, and get everything just right.
I will call you first to introduce myself and arrange a time to meet – either at your home, another venue of your choice, or via phone or video call if you prefer. Having other family members or friends with you can be really helpful. Our conversation will be relaxed and unhurried, and we will talk about the person who has died – their life, their personality, their passions – and how you would like to say goodbye.
Every ceremony is completely unique and built around your loved one. It will typically include a welcome, a eulogy (which tells the story of their life), music, and any readings, poems, or tributes you would like to include. Family members or friends are welcome to speak if they wish, and I will support them on the day if they need me to step in.
Yes, whether that is a woodland burial, a graveside service, or a ceremony in a garden or other meaningful outdoor setting, I am happy to discuss what you have in mind. The most important thing is that the setting feels right for your person.
Yes. The loss of a child or young person is among the most painful experiences a family can face, and I approach these ceremonies with the same compassionate care and attention to detail as every service I conduct. A reduced fee applies for those under 18 – please see my prices page for details.
A single slot ceremony for an adult starts from £300, with a double slot from £400. Fees for those under 18 are reduced by 25%. All prices cover Andover and within a 30-mile radius – for ceremonies further afield, any additional travel costs will be discussed and agreed with you in advance. Please visit my prices page for the full fee structure.
Yes. I am trained and certified by the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants (FPC), the UK’s largest organisation for independent celebrants. I hold full DBS clearance, public liability insurance, and professional indemnity insurance, so you can be confident you are in safe and professional hands.
That is completely normal because most families aren’t sure where to start. That is exactly what I am here for. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, even if you just have a few questions. There is no obligation, and a gentle conversation costs nothing.
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