FUNERALS
MEMORIALS
Funerals
Since 2017, I’ve been helping families to create funeral ceremonies, collaborating with local funeral directors throughout Surrey, East Hampshire and West Sussex.
Sometimes, a traditional funeral is required, especially for those of an older generation. Although I’m a civil celebrant, I’ll be happy to include some prayers and hymns, while encouraging the main focus to be on your loved one’s life.
I have led funeral ceremonies for all ages of people. The circumstances may call for a brief and dignified ceremony that is respectful of the pain experienced by a life cut short or an unexpected death. Often, families want to fully celebrate a person’s life, however young or old. Every life is unique so every funeral ceremony must be, too. My role as a celebrant is first and foremost to be as sensitive as possible both to circumstances and to your particular needs as a family and your sense of purpose for the funeral. This is what guides me in setting the tone of a ceremony through carefully chosen introductory words and - where required - words of tribute to the person’s life. A full script of what I propose to say is sent to you at least two days before the ceremony and I will respond quickly and sensitively to any changes that you want.
Memorials and Audio-Visual Tributes
Many of the funerals I have led - particularly recently - could be described as memorials since the focus of a funeral has begun to shift away from the traditional elements of a religious ceremony towards commemorating and celebrating someone's life. The absence of the coffin in a memorial ceremony facilitates that focus. I’ll gladly be your M.C. for a memorial after the event of a funeral, or instead of an attended funeral. If you don’t want to hold an event but would like to create an audio-visual memorial, I would love to meet you and hear about your loved one’s life. I will create a narrated audio tribute, produced to professional standards in my home studio, editing this together with photos aptly placed in the narrative. This audio recording can include clips from our interview and independently recorded messages from friends and family.
Recent words of thanks
Nick’s sensitivity, compassion, and steady support have meant more to us as a family than words can fully capture. He spoke through both my parents ceremonies, just a few months apart from each other, with such warmth and understanding that it felt as though he had known our family for years. Nick’s professionalism and kindness brought us comfort when we needed it most, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.
David Borrow, Churt, Surrey
Nick is a lovely person and as a family we found him very easy to talk to about our dad when making plans for his funeral. He quickly found a sense of our dad’s personality and life achievements which he relayed perfectly on the day. Nick has a natural calmness about him that helped us to feel at ease and to put our trust in him.
Gail, Plaistow, Sussex
Nick was recommended to me by the lovely team at Heatherley Park. From our very first conversation through to the service, his calm guidance helped us build appropriate content as well as navigate the very difficult day itself. He supported family and friends in bringing the tributes together in a way that felt honest, personal and entirely true to the person we were commemorating.
Diane, Basingstoke, Hampshire
Nick’s warmth and compassion in sharing our mums life and memories was so comforting not only for us, but for many of Mum’s friends and family. We couldn’t have wished for a more fitting celebrant.
Sarah, Churt, Surrey
Nick was the celebrant at the recent celebration of our Mum's life at Heatherley Park. I can do nothing but recommend Nick. Working with him beforehand to plan the ceremony Nick was always available, compassionate, empathetic and proactive in making good suggestions to make the event the right tribute to our wonderful Mum. On the day Nick led the ceremony beautifully and was key in giving our Mum a perfect send off and celebration of her life. Thank you Nick.
Vicki, Chichester, Sussex
Nick has made what could have been a harrowing experience into a ceremony filled with dignity, serenity and decorum. He translated my feelings and recollections during our initial meeting beautifully onto the page, always striking the right note. His delivery during the service was superb which meant that my french family could understand every word. His suggestions about the order of service were invaluable, and he was always receptive to any changes that we wanted to make. At mine and my son’s most emotional ebb, Nick was a calming, guiding hand for which we will forever be grateful.
Véronique, Liphook, Hampshire
A huge thank you, Nick, for all you did and said to make our father’s funeral service such a fitting tribute. Your kindness, understanding and thoughtfulness helped make the planning process more bearable. To know we were in safe hands meant a lot on the day. So, thank you very much indeed for your invaluable contribution. I would highly recommend you to anyone who wanted someone they can trust completely to manage such an emotional family occasion.
Robin, Basildon, Berkshire
Nick was brilliant at Mum’s funeral and we can’t thank him enough. His dedication, commitment and compassion in getting it right was greatly appreciated. He worked well with our family to ensure that the process was easy and a fitting tribute. Nick also worked seamlessly with the wider funeral director services team. The tribute hit just the right note and to know that Nick was on hand on the day was so comforting. It was a privilege to work with Nick (despite the occasion) and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
Hayley, Liphook, Hampshire
A short note to thank you for all your help and support in arranging Max’s funeral last Friday. There was universal praise for the way you approached and managed the service and we’d like to add our personal gratitude for the sensitivity and attention to detail you showed, both in the preparation and on the day. It was a truly fitting tribute for a wonderful young man.
Mark, Sheffield, Yorkshire
