Ross McMurdo Independent Celebrant

24/12/2025

As we approach the big day, I’d like to send my heartfelt best wishes to any families and friends of those who we have lost during 2025. Particularly those families for whom I have conducted funerals/celebrations of life for.

I know how difficult this first Christmas will be for all of you from personal experience.

Although it will be a difficult time, try to remember all of the lovely times you had with those who have left you and celebrate having had them in your life to provide you with such amazing memories.

Take care everyone and have a joyful and restful Christmas.
❤️❤️❤️

19/12/2025

09/12/2025

I lost my dear cousin Dave recently. He was a legend to me after giving me my first ever pair of football boots when I was 7 years old. They were far too big for me but as a seven year old it was like being given treasure as they had metal studs on them compared to the rubber moulded ones that junior boots had in the 1970’s!

Dave emigrated to South Africa in the early eighties and made a good life for himself and his family.

I will miss the banter we had about football, with Dave a devoted United fan and me a devoted City fan!

I last saw Dave via FaceTime at my cousin Cathie’s (Dave’s sister) wedding which I had the honour of conducting in September! I never thought then, on such a happy day that I would be writing this post!

In honour of Our Dave, I wrote the attached poem as much as a cathartic process and in honour of my lovely cousin Dave Worsley.

We will never forget you Dave.

Rest in Peace
❤️❤️❤️

07/12/2025

So we’ve just returned home from watching the fantastic production of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Hebden Bridge Little Theatre.

Wow! What a brilliant evening and what a brilliant production! We thoroughly enjoyed the performances of everyone involved, especially my friend and fellow Celebrant, Catherine Pasek!

It was lovely to meet up with Catherine afterwards too, lovely to see you Catherine. ❤️

A lovely way for me and members of my family to start the build up to Christmas, thank you to Catherine and the rest of the wonderful cast, well done guys, you were fabulous!
❤️❤️❤️

06/12/2025

Looking forward to seeing my friend and fellow Celebrant, Catherine Pasek perform in, It’s a Wonderful Life, tonight Hebden Bridge Little Theatre.

Break a leg Catherine.
❤️

20/11/2025

I’m raising a glass to the legend and fellow North Manchester man, Mani! RIP Mani, you are a true Manchester music legend who will live on in our memories & hearts forever! You will always be adored! ❤️❤️❤️

03/10/2025

Having been born and bred in North Manchester and lived there for the first 20 years of my life, I know the area well.

After yesterday’s appalling events I wanted to send my heartfelt love and sympathy to those whose lives will never be the same again and to the whole community who are hurting right now.

Such shocking events have no place in this world and can never be justified. For all of those who are suffering, remember these words about hope:

‘Hope is an invisible blanket, it will warm you at night.
Let it warm you, my friends.
Let the love, and the hope warm you.’
Donna Ashworth.
❤️❤️❤️

08/09/2025

The satisfaction I get from being a Celebrant is incredible!

However, the number of people who took the time to come and tell me how much they enjoyed Saturday’s ceremony The Whitaker - Rossendale Museum and Art Gallery for Cathie & Phil was truly gratifying and humbling and gave me a real sense of pride in what I do.

Thank you to everyone who took the time it really means a lot to me!

I’ll leave you with these words that I received from Cathie and Phil yesterday:

“We both can’t thank you enough for making our day as special as it was and all your hard work and support you gave us getting our service perfect.”

The pleasure was all mine guys!
❤️❤️❤️

08/09/2025

08/09/2025

Good afternoon all,
On Saturday 6th September I conducted a ceremony for Cathie and Phil at the beautiful The Whitaker - Rossendale Museum and Art Gallery The venue was beautifully dressed too.

It was such a lovely, chilled day and it was an honour and a privilege to be asked to be the Celebrant especially as Cathie is my cousin!

The evening reception was also fantastic with live music and a DJ playing a brilliant selection of tunes, with a Manchester Indie slant! 👍

Sending Cathie and Phil’s lots of positive vibes for the future. Thank you again giving me honour of conducting your ceremony.
❤️❤️❤️

19/08/2025

Yesterday I conducted a Celebration of Life Service for a lovely family Preston Crematorium for their beloved Dad.

David’s sons did him proud and the eulogy that they wrote was a lovely tribute to their dad. Steve did so well to deliver the eulogy and provide their dad with a fitting tribute as he made his final journey.

As I have said before, being able to support families to give their loved ones a bespoke service and a personalised service to honour the person they have lost is an absolute privilege. I take great pride in my work and l in receiving messages like the one I received from Steve, which brought a lump to my throat!

“Hi Ross, thanks again, the day went really well and you made it so much easier to deal with. Your’re good at what you do and it was an honour and privilege to have you be dad's celebrant. Thankyou for your words of support it gave me the calm and strength to see the day through.

Keep doing what you do ,it's a great thing making a very difficult time more smooth and keeping that balance just right.”

Steve, thank you so much for these kind words, I am humbled by them.
❤️