Paulathefuneralcelebrant

Paulathefuneralcelebrant 💜NOMINEE.in the 2025 AOIC Awards for Funeral Celebrant of the Year.
💜FINALIST in the 2025 AOIC Awards for 'Outstanding Contribution to Celebrancy’
(1)

Every day is a school day for sure and yesterday I learnt about this. Thought I would share it.Did your loved one have ...
19/11/2025

Every day is a school day for sure and yesterday I learnt about this. Thought I would share it.

Did your loved one have a favorite song? It might surprise you to know, it was to me to learn, that a small portion of someone’s ashes can be pressed into a vinyl record. The ashes are blended into the material during pressing, creating a real, playable record filled with music, voice notes, or a custom mix. It can become something more than a keepsake. In effect a personal soundtrack reflective of a life and the memories that come with it.

This isn’t a suggestion for any particular company, and it’s definitely not the most affordable option, but it’s another meaningful choice people may not be aware exists. Apparently, you can even plan ahead and record something yourself, your voice, your music, or anything you’d like to leave behind.

For anyone who loves music, this could feel especially fitting. 💜

Burials 💜Every family is different, some prefer a private burial, and others are happy for everyone to come along, but w...
18/11/2025

Burials 💜

Every family is different, some prefer a private burial, and others are happy for everyone to come along, but without any pressure.

It’s perfectly okay to choose what feels right for you. Going to the burial is welcome, but not going is never disrespectful. It isn’t the right place for everyone, and families understand that.

17/11/2025

Pulling together the service💜

Sometimes the smallest, most unexpected moments carry the greatest tenderness. Last week two little grandchildren stood ...
16/11/2025

Sometimes the smallest, most unexpected moments carry the greatest tenderness. Last week two little grandchildren stood at the chapel doors and, the moment they saw the cortege, they saluted and then giggled.

I spoke to them quietly and asked if they’d like to bow with me, and their faces lit up as they said yes, curious about what was happening and eager to play their part.

It was a spontaneous, sincere, deeply moving gesture something that meant so much to their family and will stay with me for a long time. We can find many ways to involve children in a funeral, but often it’s they who give us the script, simply by being themselves. 💜

I recently officiated at a funeral where the family had been wonderfully supported by the carers at the care home. Some ...
15/11/2025

I recently officiated at a funeral where the family had been wonderfully supported by the carers at the care home. Some of them even came to the service on their day off, which said so much about the care and affection they had shown. There were lovely stories to share, including how they used to sing Que Sera Sera to the woman who had passed during her final year.

After the service, as we stepped outside, the gentle chatter was suddenly replaced by singing. I went back into the chapel and found those same carers, completely spontaneously, standing by the woman’s coffin and singing that song to her one last time. It wasn’t scripted, just a genuine, heartfelt moment and I could see how much it meant to the family.

This week I was sent a beautiful message of thanks, but truly I was the one who felt grateful. It reminded me that carers are among our unsung heroes, people who quietly go the extra mile.

So perhaps that’s today’s message: even the smallest act of kindness can mean more than we ever realise. 💜

14/11/2025

Complications/Concerns/Conflicts 💜.

Was chatting with a friend about life. How people we’ve never met still become part of the story we live. Through the tv...
13/11/2025

Was chatting with a friend about life. How people we’ve never met still become part of the story we live. Through the tv and films we watch, sport, music etc. in effect they become woven into the background of our life’s canvas, our memories, our own journey.

We don’t think about them getting older too. The actors/presenters we grew up watching, the musicians who are part of our music collection of our youth and beyond. The icons of sport we’ve supported and admired. In reality though they all have been moving through time at the same pace alongside us. It’s only when you see a photo or an interview and it hits you how much they’ve aged. And then you realise, ironically so have we.

There are even those times we find they have passed and yet we either never heard about it or for a moment forgot.

It’s a gentle reminder that life keeps unfolding and moving for everyone, regardless of race, colour, sexuality, wealth, profession etc.

Question …. Who are the people you loved watching or listening to that surprise you now when you realise how much time has passed or that they have passed away?

For me to name but a few - Sir David Jason, Michael Douglas, Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den) best soap villain - when soaps were my thing, John Noakes - (I loved Blue Peter) Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Kenny Dalglish 💜

I find this hard to post, but it needs to be said. A family recently contacted me to say they had asked for me to lead t...
12/11/2025

I find this hard to post, but it needs to be said.

A family recently contacted me to say they had asked for me to lead their service. I remember the call clearly, the funeral home rang, but I couldn’t do the exact time they wanted that day, but could do later. In addition, I offered the day before, the day after, or even anytime the following week. There was plenty of flexibility. The arranger simply said ‘Okay I will book someone else’ and put the phone down. Really!!!

The family called to say they were disappointed they couldn’t have me, and as we spoke it became clear they knew nothing about the other alternatives I had offered. They were told I’m fully booked and very busy. In addition, the family asked about my fee for a double service. It turns out they’ve been charged so much more than I would have charged.

That family not only lost their choice of celebrant, they’ve also had to find extra money they would not have needed to in the middle of their grief. Having released the date to others they felt compelled to continue and I assured them that was understandable and that all would be ok with their other celebrant.

Now there will be those who will
see this post as me protecting my business. If you know me, which that funeral home do not, you will know my mantra, it’s about remembering who we’re here to serve: the family. That is what I am about as a Celebrant - choice and respect.

Thankfully, the funeral homes I work with do just that, they remember it’s about the family. You would not give a family a willow coffin if they wanted oak, yellow roses if they wanted pink lillies. They do all they can to secure the Celebrant requested should the family ask for a specific one by name.

This situation was a real reminder of how important it is to keep the family’s wishes at the heart of what we do. I will continue to be driven to provide family centred care and support for that is surely what the funeral industry should be about. 💜

💜Honoured today to stand with a family who asked me to join them in paying our respects to the fallen before celebrating...
11/11/2025

💜Honoured today to stand with a family who asked me to join them in paying our respects to the fallen before celebrating the life of their beloved mum. It was deeply moving that, even in their own time of grief and loss, they chose to pause and honour others who sacrificed so much. A heartfelt reminder of kindness, gratitude, and the strength that carries us through even the hardest moments and well done to North Herts Crematorium for their displays in honour of those who paid the ultimate price 💜

‘Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them...
11/11/2025

‘Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.’ 💜

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Covering Herts. Beds And Bucks
Bucks

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Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
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Sunday 11am - 4pm

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