Arrange a funeral, celebration of life or memorial service with the help of a caring, experienced celebrant 

Do you want to mark the death of a loved one in a way that reflects their life and what was important to them? Do you have ideas for what you'd like to include, but don't know where to start? Or even plan your own funeral service? I'm an experienced, compassionate and creative celebrant, I can help you.

When someone dies, you might feel the last thing you want or feel able to do is organise a ceremony to say goodbye to them. But being able to provide a fitting tribute to your loved one is often  an important part of the grieving process.

I can help you create a ceremony that reflects or celebrates the life of the person who has died. You don't have to hold a funeral or memorial in any particular place - yes, you might wish to hold it in a chapel attached to a crematorium, or at a burial ground, but there are many other options, village halls, woodland areas or a favourite place, in your own garden, or a hotel. You might want a very low key service, or perhaps a more widely-attended upbeat memorial service.

Many people are considering "direct cremation" - there are lots of adverts about them, promoting them as a way to save your family or friends worry and money, by not having a funeral service. Recent research conducted by the National Society of Independent Funeral Directors has found that many families taking this option often don't understand that there will be no funeral service, and have afterwards felt at a loss to know how to say goodbye or mourn a loved one. If this is an option you want to explore, I would urge you to talk to a reputable funeral director, ideally an independent firm, who will be very clear about how and where your loved one will be cared for, and then please do think carefully about how you want to mark this person's life. As human beings, I think that we need to be able to mark the passing of a life, and this is often done best in the company of people who knew and cared about that person. There are many ways to do this, and as an experienced, caring and professional celebrant, I am always happy to help you explore what feels right for you.

Whatever kind of service you choose, I will spend time with you, to find out more about the person, what made them special, how they lived their life. I understand how important it is for some people to be able to speak or give the eulogy at the service, but that it's not the easiest thing to do. I will support you, or anyone else who wishes to speak on the day. Alternatively, if you'd like me to write and deliver all of the ceremony, I will use your memories to create a eulogy, or a tribute, to the person. I always like to write a full script of the service, which I'll share with you in advance, so you can check that all the details are right and everything is just as you'd want it to be. That way, there are no surprises on the day, you can be confident that it will be as you - and as they- would want.

I can help you to decide whether you want readings, music or any prayers or spiritual content. I will work with your funeral director, if you are using one, and anyone else who is involved,  to ensure the service goes smoothly. I can also recommend local venues, funeral directors, funeral service providers and florists, people I work with regularly.

Where can you hold a celebrant-led funeral or memorial services?

I am happy to conduct services for cremations, burials, memorial services and ashes ceremonies in the areas around Oxford, Northampton, Banbury, Rugby and Buckingham. There are some wonderful natural burial grounds in this area, including the beautiful surroundings of Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground , Greenhaven Woodland Burial  and Cosgrove Green Burial Meadow.  There is also the Mid-England Barrow, which is a breath-takingly beautiful place to hold a funeral, memorial or to keep your loved one's ashes safe. I regularly work at these crematoria: Aylesbury Vale Crematorium, Buckinghamshire, Banbury, Crown Hill in Milton Keynes, Rainsbrook  in Rugby,  Oxford and North Oxford, The Counties in Northampton and Oakley Wood near Leamington Spa. I also provide memorial ceremonies, scattering or interment of ashes ceremonies and a eulogy writing service. If you would like to have your loved ones ashes scattered over a special place, from the air, I can work with you and the aerial company to create an unforgettable moment.

Plan your own funeral

These days, more people are thinking about their own funeral during their lifetime. You might have certain wishes that you would like to be observed. You might want to spare your loved ones from having to make difficult choices. Or perhaps you don't have any next of kin, or anyone you would want to oversee your wishes. If so, please do get in touch as I can help you to make informed decisions about how you would like your death to be observed, whether that's sketching out the details, or writing the ceremony in full for you to approve. I'm here to help give you peace of mind that your wishes will be carried out when the time comes.

Testimonials

What some of my clients have said about me and the services I provide:

"I just wanted to thank you on behalf of dad and the rest of the family for what you did for us on Friday.
The entire event couldn’t have gone better and we genuinely appreciate the effort, respect and sensitivity
that went into everything you did. It was hugely reassuring to know that we were in safe hands.
Thanks also for the fair copy of the service, a lovely touch which I know that dad will treasure. 
You have helped us enormously to get through those difficult first few days." MF

"I would just like to say how absolutely wonderful Ruth is. From our initial meeting,
where she helped guide me through putting the funeral together, her ideas and support were hugely appreciated at such a difficult time,
especially helping me put a beautiful order of service together for my brother's Celebration of Life.
This was conducted by Ruth and was full of happy memories. We had so many comments on how lovely the whole service was.
On behalf of the family and myself, we cannot thank her enough for all she did for us." S A-B

"Just a thank you for Mum's funeral on Tuesday. Everything went better than I was expecting
and the day was as good as it could have been. Thanks for the thorough work and a great service." DB

"Thank you so much for your care and support. Everyone said afterwards
how touching and uplifting your service was." LA