When the death of a loved one occurs, there are often many practical tasks to navigate alongside the emotions of loss. One of these is arranging a funeral or perhaps a memorial. Most of us are fortunate enough not to have to do this very often, and, rather like buying a house, the process can feel unfamiliar.

This talk explores the funeral ceremony and the role of a celebrant in creating a meaningful and personal farewell. I’ll take you through the journey, from the initial meeting with a family to the ceremony itself, in an informative and entertaining way, sharing insights and examples along the way.

Perhaps the talk will help to ease some of the concerns you may have when faced with arranging a funeral, or give you a better understanding of the choices available. It may even prompt conversations with loved ones about the kind of farewell they would want, or give you pause for thought about what kind of send-off you might like for yourself.

Although death can be difficult to talk about, creating a personal funeral ceremony that acknowledges death and celebrates life can be a meaningful experience. It can also provide an important opportunity to reflect, remember and take a positive step forward in the grieving process.