Dawn Wigglesworth - Funeral Celebrant

02/03/2026

As a Funeral Celebrant, I am all about choice - choice of music, choice of poems, choice of words and choice of who takes your service... (obviously always very pleased when I am chosen and have the honour of helping people say goodbye to their loved one ).
So I am very interested to see that water cremation is now going to be legal in Scotland. Personally, it's a choice I would seriously consider and hope that what Scotland does, England will soon follow.
Please see read the BBC link to get all the details.

As Funeral Planning Awareness Week has just ended, I hope this article will encourage people to talk about the choices for their final goodbye with their loved ... remember just like talking about s*x doesn't get you pregnant, talking about death doesn't mean you are going to die imminently!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9gkknee0zo #:~:text=Scotland%20has%20become%20the%20first,of%20burial%20or%20traditional%20cremation.

The process - called alkaline hydrolysis - will offer families a third option instead of burial or traditional cremation.

23/02/2026

So Friday 20th was 'Love Your Pet' day. I was a bit late to the party and missed it! For me, it seems a little like Valentines Day - why wait for a specific day before you tell someone (or your pet) that you love them. Life is too short to not to have a hug with a loved one every day - whether they have four legs and paws or not. Unfortunately for me, 'Love Your Pet' day was also twinged with sadness. Last Sunday, we very unexpectedly lost our cat Tiger. He was a gorgeous boy - not yet 5 years old - and he just died on our bed. No warning, no illness, nothing.
Then just a couple of days later, my MIL had to have her greyhound, Nancy, put to sleep.
Some may think that as a funeral celebrant, I may be 'used' to death...... but you never are. I think if became so immune, I would be a s**t celebrant IMHO.
But as with any loss, there comes the lovely memories of the soul that is now longer with you..... the way Tiger used to rub his head against mine, slept on my head / pillow some nights, fought with Daphne (another cat of ours), how he hated walking on wet grass and how he really had to push himself through the cat flap as (to be honest) he was a little chunky.
They all make me smile.
So if you have missed 'Love Your Pet' day or not, please give your furry friend an extra hug today from me - in memory of Tiger. Of course, I couldn't resist adding a couple of photos of the handsome chappie (and no I don't mean my husband!).

21/11/2025

It’s at 12 noon (UK) today, Many celebrants, including me are going live with — drop your questions below and I’ll answer honestly. I have put below some of the questions I often get asked as a starter.
Let’s lift the lid on funeral choices and celebrate the power of a well-made farewell.




.co.uk

Can I have hymns even if the service is not in church?
Yes of course you can! Many crematoria (like (Rushcliffe Oaks, Gedling Crematorium, Bramcote Crematorium) have the Obitus music system which has musics from all ages and genres on it - including hymns. You can chose everything from Abide With Me, Morning Has Broken to I Am Woman (that's one I'm going to have at my farewell), Twisted Firestarter, Always Look on the Bright Side and everything in between. Just chose what is right for your loved one and you. Also for hymns, Obitus music for hymns doe shave voices signing on it already so no need to worry about it being quiet... or anyone just hearing your voice or whether you will be able to sing on the day.

Can a Celebrant say the Lords Prayer - yes a celebrant can. We can say many prayers and also help chose the right readings for the service that will sum up either your feelings or bring back some lovely memories of your loved one.

Is it OK to laugh at a funeral service?
Absolutely! You laughed with your loved one so why won't you laugh when remembering them? It's not disrespectful but it should be part of your loved one's legacy to you - memories of love and laughter.

Do I have to have the celebrant the Funeral Director suggests?
No you don't. You have a choice. It may sound strange to say - but do your research. You don't have to say Yes straight away when you are sat with the FD. You can go away and either search on Google, ask family or friends or go look on websites like www.independentcelebrants.com which is run by AOIC - the leading trade association for funeral celebrants. Use this to talk to some celebrants so you can pick the one that is right for you.

Any other questions - then please ask away.

Remember just like in life, in death - you have choice.
A well-made farewell, a fantastic goodbye - whether that be in a church, a crematorium, a pub, a beach or wherever - helps the grieving process.
And grief is the price we pay for love.

Photo - copyright of Georgina Piper

18/11/2025

The mornings are dark and the evening are drawing in too. But recently my days have been made brighter by receiving some lovely cards from families that I have been privileged to conduct services for. While the cards are fantastic, the heartfelt words handwritten inside them make me immeasurably thankful and blessed that I was able to help them say the perfect goodbye to their loved one.

.co.uk

03/10/2025

I think we can say summer has finally packed her bag and gone away - especially with the first storm coming our way.
But as Autumn comes, the leaves turn some lovely shades and I was able to take this photo at Bramcote Crematorium.
It was standing room only as we said goodbye to a wonderful man who was taken unexpectedly and far too soon from his family.
He loved orange.... which I must admit is a strange choice for a man but it lifted my soul to see a sea of people wearing orange in the chapel when I started the service. Such a lovely touch in memory of this dearly loved man.
Even the leaves were orange that day......

10/09/2025

If I am at home then around 2pm is always duck feeding time! Despite us having six cats, they always come out to greet me. They must be able to see colours because as soon as I pick up the orange bucket to go fill it with seeds and bread, they start gathering! The male ducks have lost all their 'show-off' feathers so it's mainly a sea of brown ducks at this time of year. It's a lovely break from working on a script and just gives me a little time to recharge and reflect.

04/09/2025

I recently had the honour to conduct a service for a much loved husband, dad, brother, granddad, uncle and friend who was taken too suddenly and too soon. The chapel at Rushcliffe Oaks was packed which just showed how much he was loved and will be missed.
Many thanks to A M Buckingham for their care and professionalism as ever.
He was a real fun person to be around and had an eclectic taste in music. The final song really summed him up - both in style and with the lyrics (please find them and read them) - Reach for the Stars! The picture is of some roses that I picked from my garden before I raised a glass to this wonderful man. Red roses for everlasting love and yellow for happiness - from all his family and friends.

As a life-long Notts County fan, he probably would have preferred black and white roses in this picture but I haven't got those in my garden. Forgive me!

18/08/2025

So recently I've been spending time in the garden trying to get some things sorted while the weather has been so nice. This included creating 4 new raised beds so I can grow more vegetables (plus my on-going battle with nettles and brambles!). As ever my husband was on hand to construct the beds and help put them in position ..... and fill them with compost, organic matter etc. Although I did lots of the heavy lifting - honest!
I happened to say that I thought maybe we should name them given how much effort they had taken.
So guess what - he did.
There is only one famous group of four that he could chose.

So I now have raised beds named -
Howling Mad Murdock
Templeton 'Face' Peck
John 'Hannibal' Smith
and
B A Baracus

All with their own hand engraved name plates!

Those of you of a certain age will recognise this as the A-Team.

See them in situ below .... with Tiger (the cat) probably just about to use one of them as a toilet!

21/07/2025

So a few weeks ago Baguley Brothers Funeral Directors posted a couple of times showing their staff - the lovely Aimee and infinitely handsome Francis (he told me to say that!) - giving blood. They spurred me into action and I went on-line ( www.blood.co.uk )and booked an appointment to give blood. I first gave blood when I was 18 (many many years ago) and was giving regularly but then tattoos and life got in the way and I got out of the cycle. But no more! I went to my 'first' appointment, armed with my tatty blood book (see photo - that was what they used to use to record that you had given blood and when!) and gave blood in June.
Well things have changed! Such a smooth and quick process. A few more questions than you used to get asked but lots of friendly staff to help. The chairs that you sit in to give blood have improved as well... not that you are in them for long. I gave my arms worth (if you have seen Tony Hancock's famous sketch you'll get that reference) in under 6 mins! And then moved to have a sit down, a drink and a snack while I recovered (not that there is much to recover from).
That's a another thing that has improved..... lots of different crisps and biscuits to chose from ... and you could have more than one!

Booked my next appointment as soon as I got home.

And then after a few days, I got an email telling me what had happened to my blood...with a map of it's 'journey'. Never got that before! It's helped a patient in Pinderfields Hospital. Fantastic getting that update.

So my obvious simple message - give blood. Its quick. Its easy. You get free crisps/biscuits. And you could save someone's life one day.... Or you could need blood one day! One thing my job as a Funeral Celebrant has taught me its that you never know what's going to happen to you and when!
NHS Blood Donation

Thanks again Francis and Aimee at Baguley Brothers Funeral Directors

20/06/2025

I was honoured to conduct the funeral for a glorious woman who was a fantastic wife, mother, grandmother and friend. The family had chosen some wonderful music to remember her including a wonderful themed 'dog lover' tribute from Obitus. Yes it was hot, but it was cool in the service space at Rushcliffe Oaks and we were surrounded by the lovely gardens there. One of the younger members of the family were a little overcome but they were able to go to the family room with Daddy and watch the service from there so still able to say goodbye to Nana with us all.
I was overwhelmed to be presented a small portion of the funeral spray by the family as a thank you. Such a good idea - their florist made a glorious floral display for the coffin but it had little bouquets placed in it, so much of it could be given to people and not 'wasted'.
Thanks to Dominic and the team at A. W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service for their professional service - as ever.

12/06/2025

Last Friday, I attended a conference on AI and Digital Marketing. Why you may ask? Am I thinking of using AI in my business - hell no! I believe my job is to create individual ceremonies written by me not by Metal Mickey (you might need to be of a certain age to understand that reference!). But I don't know enough about AI and what exactly it is. I struggle with FaceBook most days and have never used ChatGBT etc This conference seemed a good idea - it was free and put on by the East Midlands Chamber - Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire so I knew the presenters would be good. What did I learn - it confirmed to me that AI isn't for me; showed me the very American, male, white bias that AI currently has, how powerful and quick AI I can be for lots more things than I realised and most importantly that TRUST is key in any business even if they are using AI. Thanks Paul Ince at LikeMind Media for that nugget. So trust me - I will never use AI to write a script, reply to an email or contact form from my website; If this means a slower response from me or less work for me (because I am slower than AI in writing a script) then so be it. Funerals and celebration of life services are deeply personal occasions so they deserve an equally personal service from me. Photo of the venue beginning to fill up!

27/05/2025

The weather seems to have taken a turn for the worst this week! But on Friday the sun shone at Bramcote Crematorium where I had honour to lead the service for a very much loved Dad who was a big family man (and Nottingham Forest supporter!) It was obvious from the number of people that filled the chapel just how much he was loved by all who knew him. Through her grief, his daughter beautifully read some wonderful family tributes. There was tears but also laughter when remembering a man that put on a great BBQ with a phenomenal cheese board! Again I was taken by the lovely flowers and trees that surround the chapels. In my quiet moments before the service, I strolled amongst the trees and felt the sun on my face which helped me prepare for the farewell of a great man.
As ever, Gillotts Funeral Directors were professional and caring - all the staff were wearing red ties to reflect his love of Forest.