Divine Ceremony - Undertaker and Funeral Partner

17/02/2026

Reflections on shrouding

In our blog, Dee Ryding reflects on the quiet beauty of wrapping someone with care and love before their final journey. Shrouding is a gentle, intimate act — a return to the tenderness with which we arrive in the world — and for many families, a deeply comforting part of saying goodbye.

Discover why this simple ritual can mean so much. 💛

Willows Coffins Bellacouche

Link to the blog in the comments

12/02/2026

We’re often asked how we found our way into working in funerals — it’s not exactly a career the school advisor recommends.

In the past, funeral directing was often a family business, with children (mostly sons) following in their fathers’ footsteps. That’s changing. In recent years, new funeral companies, many founded by women, have been bringing a more progressive, thoughtful approach to funeral ceremonies and the rituals around saying goodbye.

Dee spoke to BBC radio Bristol this week about how she moved from working in television as a producer to first becoming a celebrant and then an undertaker. “Be the change you want to see” has been a guiding principle throughout her career. Divine Ceremony was founded from recognising a real need for personal, meaningful ceremonies that truly reflect the individuality of the person being remembered.

Take a listen to Dee at 37.30 into the show.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qtyw

08/02/2026

A Death Cafe is a welcoming and supportive space for conversations and questions about death, dying, grief and beyond. It is a global movement, with cafes all over the world, and although there are some guiding principals, each one is different and individual.
Anyone is welcome - both new comers and return visitors. The conversation is always rich and nourishing and people are often surprised at how uplifting it is. We would love you to join us.
Thursday, 12th February 6.45 - 9pm

06/02/2026

One of the greatest things about our job as funeral directors is learning about the people who we are caring for and the lives that they lived. Yesterday we conducted a ceremony for one of Bristol's true legends - May Tanner.
May was part of the Windrush generation and became the first black ward sister at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, something that her family are immensely proud of.
May lived a long life and gave so much to so many in our city.

May Tanner died in January aged 93.
Her husband of 65 years, Michael, said: "I love her, forever and ever" ❤️
She gave decades of service to the NHS ➡️bbc.in/4qZ6cbM

24/01/2026

Time for a spring clean today as we wait for the carpet cleaners / it’s strange to see the Sanctuary look so bare and empty !

20/01/2026

Language is constantly evolving, yet when it comes to death, dying, and funerals, the words we use can seem archaic.

In this video, Dee reflects on the language she chooses to describe her work, and why partnership matters more than hierarchy. It’s about moving away from the idea of a “funeral director” and toward walking alongside families, together.

Even when there’s a real appetite for change in the way families plan and arrange funerals, the familiar language can be hard to let go. This conversation invites us to question why.

Music credit and thanks to Ted Waters Music

06/01/2026

The North Bristol Death Cafe resumes for the new year this Thursday, 8th January.

🕰Doors will open at 6.45 and cake and drinks will be available 🍰

☕ What is a death cafe?
Death Cafes are a global movement offering space and time for conversations about death, dying, grief, and inevitably also life and living. In a society that often uses euphemisms and shies away from talking about death, a death cafe offers people the opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, listen to others and say what we may not feel comfortable saying elsewhere. There is no agenda and there are no set topics, conversation flows and themes are developed from what people bring to the discussion.

🔎 What isn't it?
A death cafe isn’t a grief support group. Many of us live with loss and we all will experience grief and loss in our lives. People are of course welcome to share their experiences if they would like. Those hosting the death cafe will be happy to signpost grief support resources that are available.

🫂 Do I have to have experienced the death of someone close to me to attend?
No. Death and grief is a universal experience that affects us all. Death Cafes are open to anyone to attend and all are welcome.

⏱ Do I have to be a certain age to attend?
Due to the topics that may arise, a death cafe is suitable for those over 18.

🌎 Can I attend death cafes in different locations?
Yes of course. Death Cafe tourism is a thing! There are lots of cafes all over the country (and the world) and it’s nice to try out different ones as each has its own vibe and set up.

🍰 Do I have to pay?
A Death Cafe is free to attend. Drinks and delicious cake are available.

📆 Do I have to book in advance?
No. You can just turn up, there is no need to book or register in advance.

04/01/2026

We are back to normal !! Hooray ! 🥳 Thanks to lovely husband and the people of Street Scene 🙏 thanks for your support and the many offers of help ! Xx

02/01/2026

UPDATE: With the help of StreetScene and my lovely husband Lol - all is returned to normal. We are beyond happy with the result !!! Thanks for all your supportive comments xx

Imagine our shock to arrive on our first day back to this horror show scrawled on either side of our front door. The whole team is beyond livid that someone would do this to this lovely building, and sadly, despite scrubbing for hours today, it has not come off.

Rest assured we are working hard to remove the paint, but granite is a porous stone and it is very hard to remove - we will continue our efforts over the coming days. This awful exterior damage does not in any way change the heart and soul within the building, and we will continue to support our communities as best we can.

30/12/2025

The new year invites reflection, connection, and an opportunity for new conversations. A Death Café offers a welcoming space to share feelings, fears, and experiences, or simply to listen. There’s no agenda and no set topic, just time and space for open exploration.

Our first one of the year will be next Thursday, 8th January from 6.45pm at The Sanctuary. All are welcome.

29/12/2025

Thinking about your own funeral can be very daunting, which is why many of us delay it. But writing down a few wishes and talking them through with those close to you can bring reassurance for everyone involved.

At this time of year, when many of us are reflecting and looking forward, our blog looks at how to begin and what to think about when planning ahead.

Please find the link in the comments.

26/12/2025

Care and connection are so important - in life and in death. That care and attention and connection to the process of grief can be lost when it happens by others at a distance.
Music and video credit and thanks to Ted Waters Music