Celebrating Life
Every Life Tells a Story
A unique story filled with love, laughter, adventure, achievements, and moments that matter.
In times of loss, finding the right way to say goodbye is important. As your compassionate funeral celebrant serving Glasgow and the West of Scotland, I'm here to help you create a ceremony that truly reflects the unique life and lasting impact of your loved one - and offers comfort and closure to those who remain.
Funeral Celebrancy
A Ceremony as Unique as the Life It Celebrates
A funeral is so much more than a final farewell. It’s a profound opportunity to celebrate the richness and depth of a life well-lived.
I believe that every person deserves a send-off that truly resonates with who they were – their passions, values, achievements, and the precious tapestry of relationships that defined their journey.
My focus is on creating a ceremony that not only gently acknowledges the pain of loss but also joyfully cherishes the love and light they brought into the world.
Here’s how we can work together.
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From the very first words spoken to the final moment of farewell, every element of the ceremony will be thoughtfully and meticulously crafted to reflect the unique spirit, personality, and essence of your loved one.
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Drawing upon my deep experience in listening and storytelling, I will work closely with you to create a tribute that brings their character to life with warmth, authenticity, and genuine heartfelt care. Together, we will weave a narrative that truly honours their memory.
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As an experienced listener, I offer a calm, supportive, and understanding space where you can share your precious memories and wishes at your own pace, knowing you are held with kindness, respect, and genuine empathy.
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With decades of experience in public speaking, you can trust me to conduct the ceremony with confidence, sensitivity, and the utmost respect, ensuring a dignified and meaningful occasion.
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Whether it's cherished songs, significant readings, personal anecdotes, or the inclusion of religious elements, I will seamlessly weave these into a cohesive and comforting ceremony that feels deeply personal and truly honours your loved one.
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I will collaborate closely with you to create a ceremony that truly reflects your loved one's values and wishes, whether you envision something traditional, contemporary, eco-conscious, or uniquely personal.
Eulogy Writing
The Right Words When They Matter Most
The task of writing a eulogy, while a profound privilege, can feel particularly daunting during a time of sadness and loss. You want to get right for your loved one, capturing their unique story and the impact they had on the world. And you want to get it right for those left behind, creating a tribute that resonates with family and friends who have gathered to remember them.
Let Me Help You Tell Their Story.
As a professional funeral celebrant and eulogy writer, I'm here to support you. I will work closely with you to understand the nuances of your loved one’s life – their relationships, achievements, personality, and the anecdotes that bring their memory to life. From our conversations, I will craft a completely personalised eulogy that tells their story with compassion and care.
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We'll start with a free, no-obligation 20-minute call to discuss your needs and how I can best assist you.
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Through a fact-finding form [which you can download here] and one or more interviews, we'll explore the key aspects of your loved one's life, gathering the facts, memories, and anecdotes that paint a vivid picture.
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I will write a first draft of the eulogy, focusing on creating a heartfelt and personal tribute that truly reflects the essence of your loved one and their impact on the world.
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We'll work together through two rounds of edits to ensure the eulogy is exactly as you envision it. This process will normally take 5-7 days but can be quickened if the funeral date is close. I don’t charge extra for this.
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If you feel this would be helpful, I offer a safe space online where you can practise in front of me and I’ll provide guidance on how to deliver your eulogy with confidence and clarity.
Memorial Ceremonies
A Time to Reflect, Remember, and Celebrate
Sometimes, a traditional funeral doesn't provide enough time—or the right atmosphere—to truly reflect on the life of someone you've lost. It may also come too quickly to include everyone who should be involved.
A memorial celebration offers a unique opportunity to gather family and friends after the intensity of grief has passed. This creates space for a richer, more meaningful tribute in a setting and style that feels right. Whether you envision an intimate family gathering, a lively celebration at a meaningful location, or a ceremony filled with stories, songs, and memories, I’m here to help you create something truly special and memorable.
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Here’s a helpful guiding principle when planning a memorial ceremony: would your loved one have enjoyed it? With this in mind, the focus shifts to three key elements:
Flexibility and Creativity: Memorials are wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to incorporate heartfelt speeches, personal tributes, photo displays, video montages, cherished memorabilia, live music, and the involvement of loved ones. You’re free to include whatever feels right to honour their memory.
A Tailored Approach: Without the formal structure of a traditional funeral, a memorial offers the freedom to design every detail in a way that truly reflects the personality, values, and legacy of the person being celebrated.
A Celebration of Life: While acknowledging the loss, a memorial centres on the richness of life. It brings people together to share stories, laughter, and personal memories in a more relaxed and comforting atmosphere where grief feels a little less overwhelming.
Video Tributes
A Beautiful Way to Preserve Memories
Bring your loved one’s story to life with a video tribute, complete with narration, photographs, video clips, music, and professionally crafted content. This thoughtful keepsake is perfect for playing at a funeral, either as a complement to or in place of a spoken eulogy.
And of course it can be kept and shared forever, across every generation, as a permanent tribute to your loved one’s legacy.
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1. We’ll start with a free, no-commitment 20-minute discovery call where you can share your thoughts and we’ll explore how I can help with the video tribute.
2. We’ll then have a detailed one-to-one call over Zoom, where I’ll gather insights, anecdotes, and the story of your loved one’s life. You and other family members can build upon this as we progress.
3. I’ll ask you to gather all relevant media, like photos, video clips, recordings, scans, favourite songs, and so on.
4. I’ll create a first draft of the video for review and collaboration, together with a script for narration.
5. I’ll produce the finished video tribute within 21 days of us starting together (or sooner if urgent - let’s discuss).
Living Funerals
Saying Farewell to Loved Ones on Your Own Terms
Inviting family and friends to celebrate your life when you’re still alive might not be an easy subject to consider. However, it can give you the opportunity to reflect on how you want to be remembered.
What stories about your life mean the most to you? What music, poetry, or readings best capture your relationship with people and the world? What do you want to say to those who will be left behind—and what might they want to say to you?
Planning your own funeral can also be one of the most caring and thoughtful gestures you make for your loved ones, relieving the pressure at what will certainly be a difficult time.
There’s a good Guardian article here that might help you decide whether this is something you wish to consider. If so, I can help.
“If people are going to say nice things about me, I’d rather hear it”