Corinne Firth-Surkitt - Funeral Celebrant

14/11/2025

It's the beginning of winter and it's only going to get worse from here especially looking at next weeks forecast in the minus figures. This morning in the battering winds and rain was the first time I've really felt cold in many months.

It's time to winter proof the car , check I'm stocked up on emergency supplies because in the funeral industry nothing stops , a way needs to be found to simply make things happen.

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a selfie of me, my skin is red and my glasses are covered in rain

11/11/2025

My cat doesn't not understand the significance of the poppy.

It's a good job it's the last day for my little poppy as my cat has just decided it needed removing from my dress.

Personally I love wearing it as such a strong emblem of remembrance and I'm always a little sad to unpin it after the 11th.

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a very blurry photo of my tabby cat pulling the poppy from Mt dress with his teeth

09/11/2025

Today I attended the remembrance service at Darwen Cemetery organised by the Friends of Darwen Cemetery , whilst these services generally have a heavily Christian content I think it is important that I put religion aside at times like this and for me to still attend what are important community events. It was lovely to see the young representatives from the beavers and upwards through the scout and guide movement, representatives from local schools and many local organisations. We nipped and made sure Ernest was looking tidy for anyone doing the war grave trail today.

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a poppy graphic, a photo of the service sheet, poppy tributes and our adopted war grave with flag flying and other nearby Graves

06/11/2025

A racing theme at Burnley Crematorium this afternoon so I nipped to the bookies this morning, my script folder is now backed in a page of the racing post and I'm wearing a betting slip that declares the man we are remembering an odds on legend and family man

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, 3 photos of betting slips and a newspaper page in various stages of readiness, the final one is a selfie of me with a betting slip pinned to my dress

06/11/2025

Can't get a picture they are too quick but I'm being really shouted at by the ring necked parakeets at Preston Crematorium today

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, an autumnal looking cemetery grounds with lots of trees , the sun is just trying to get through the clouds

03/11/2025

So I've been quiet on social media for a week because I've been away for a half term holiday to Spain , 10 days, 4 airports, over 500km of driving, seeing old friends and making new ones.

The most wonderful part of my job is that some elements are portable , whilst I can't do a ceremony remotely I can script write, I can keep in touch with families on video, telephone, email and text.

Several days I was up as the sun rose to work before everyone else was up so I could maximise family time, I made calls in the evenings and dealt with things as and when but it's more than worth it. And I must say a big shout out to all my industry colleagues who stay in touch so that I can return home to bookings. Yesterday I landed at lunch and was out in my big coat till late on visits but that's self employment and its a true privilege to have that flexibility to have family time, make memories and keep things ticking over at work.

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, posing picture of me stood next to a pretty flower, 3 of my laptop in various locations at sunrise and finally one of me in my car last night in the dark wrapped up in my big coat

22/10/2025

Friends of Serenity are such a valuable local charity in my area , they support recently bereaved parents and families. In my work I come across families receiving the most incredible care from them, so when I spotted thos week their appeal for runners to do the Blackburn 10k it felt right to put myself forward.

I will be running that day with the babies whose stories I have told in my thoughts because it is important that their names live on way after we leave their funeral behind.

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a just giving page link , the cover photo is one of me doing thunder run a few years back , I have a fox emblem on my running vest as our group were called - zero fox given as displayed on my race number

Help corinne Firth-Surkitt raise money to support Friends of Serenity

20/10/2025

Blackburn sax player anyone ?

HELP!

CALLING ALL SAXOPHONE PLAYERS!!

We are taking out a funeral that requires a saxophone player to play as the cortege pages their entrance to the crematorium grounds, and as the family walks into Chapel

The funeral is on

WEDNESDAY 29TH OCTOBER, PLEASINGTON CREMATORIUM 12:45

Please share to anyone who may be in a position to assist!

Thank you xx

20/10/2025

What stories will the people you leave behind hand over for your funeral.

I already know that no matter how old he is at the time my son is going to tell the story of when I bit his ear 😂😂😂

In my defence I was pretending and was close to him saying I'm going to eat your ears , nom nom nom and then caught his ear with my teeth. In the years since then I have done so many incredible things with him, holidays , trips, days out, started traditions at home, been there, encouraged him, supported him and loved him....

But at my funeral he will tell everyone about the time I bit him !
And do you know what , I'm OK with that because hopefully the rest of his childhood will have a positive spin.

A well planned funeral where those left behind get to have these stories told is an incredible comfort and a huge part of the grieving process

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, block capitals saying - based on a true story

19/10/2025

Once a fortnight , OK i admit it maybe sometimes once a week I'm very lazy and go and get my lunch from The Spud House which is half a mile from home so I could totally just go home and make lunch. So, this Thursday I had finished a funeral and the lazy vibes hit me so I nipped in , Ed sheerans Galway girl was playing and we were all singing along in the shop and I said , oooh I'm going to Dublin for the day tomorrow I will take a picture on Grafton Street and tag you ! So , good to my word , here I am

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, 3 photos, one is a selfie of me , one is of one of the many famous Grafton street flower stalls and then there is one of the street itself

15/10/2025

Wave of light 2025

Late posting as got caught on the phone but our houses candle has burned bright since 7pm to remember so many precious babies

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a blue candle in a jar in my window sill

14/10/2025

Not every funeral has a colour scheme but if it does I try and fit in, yesterday 2 had colour schemes, pink for a lady who loved the colour and later in the day blue and white for a Blackburn Rovers fan.

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired , 2 photos of ribbons pinned to my Humanists UK symbol broach.