The first meeting (often around 2 hours, yet each family is different).

To meet with you in person (or via a web link or telephone if required) to talk about the person you are arranging the service for and how you want their ceremony to be, and for us to get to know each other a little, though this process.
This is very much about me listening to your stories and memories, spending time developing an appreciation of your loved ones character and personality, who and what was important to them, their values and beliefs, the landmark events in their life.
It’s also a time where we can begin discussing the structure, flow and content of the ceremony.

Creating a first draft of the ceremony.

Following the first meeting, I like to let our words and the stories and pictures you may have shared have time to settle into my heart and mind…often I’ll go for a walk. This helps ideas drop into place about how the narrative might come together. Sometimes I write with pen and paper, sometimes straight onto my laptop, depending where ideas come to me!
I write with the intention of creating a well-constructed, flowing and sensitive narrative about your loved one’s life and their death, all held within the distinct phases of a complete funeral ceremony. This is their story as well as a final farewell, it involves the people they loved and who loved them in return; it is unique.
I will email this draft to you, so you can read it through in your own time.
It’s important to me that you feel totally satisfied with the final script, so we can discuss and make any amendments you feel are needed, until we get it just right.
I will keep in regular contact throughout this process, usually via email and / or telephone, sometimes we may need to meet again in person; every family has different needs.

Working with your Funeral Director and other professionals.

Through close liaison with your funeral director, the venue and any other professionals involved in your loved one’s service, I will do what is in my power to ensure the day runs smoothly.

On the day of the ceremony.

On the morning of the service, or the day before if it is an early service, I will call you to touch base.
To allow time to meet with the chapel attendant or venue representative, and check all is in place, I will arrive at least half an hour before the service is due to begin.
Delivering the ceremony with heartfelt warmth and professionalism, as far as it is in my control, I will keep within our allotted time frame.
I will remain in attendance following the ceremony, and be at your service, until you have completed your acknowledgments with family and friends and leave the venue.

I have pledged to uphold the code of conduct set out in the Celebrant Accord of the Funeral Celebrancy Council.