Funeral Ceremonies & Celebrations of Life

"Laughter through tears is my favourite emotion" – Dolly Parton

Many years ago, the night before the funeral of a beloved family friend, I tearfully told my Mum I was dreading the ceremony. She squeezed my hand and said "I'm glad it will all be in Welsh, I won't understand a word, so I'll be alright."

The next morning, the service started with a Welsh hymn and reading. Then our friend's brother began his eulogy: "Although we're proud Welsh speakers, my sister couldn't abide people speaking Welsh when there was English-speaking company present. So the rest of the service will be in English."

My Mum and I clung to each other and sob-laughed. That's the feeling I want people to have at my ceremonies – like their loved one had a hand in it. Like a little wink from beyond.

Crying with laughter, laughing through tears – all emotions welcomed and honoured.

Funeral Services I Offer

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    Traditional Funeral Ceremonies

    A complete traditional ceremony, with readings, tributes, and reflections on your loved
    one's life. These can be held at a crematoria, cemeteries, chapels, churches, or gravesides. A deeply personal way to say goodbye with dignity and warmth.

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    Celebrations of Life

    More modern, uplifting ceremonies that focus on celebrating the person's life and legacy.
    Children are welcome, and again these can be held anywhere that was special to your loved one - their favourite beach, woodland, pub, or garden.

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    Memorial Services

    Ceremonies that are held some time after the death, allowing more time for planning and
    giving people the opportunity to travel from further away. Perfect for gathering everyone together from far and wide to share memories and celebrate a life well-lived.

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    Ashes Internment or Scattering

    These ceremonies mark the final resting place of your loved one's ashes, whether that's in
    a garden of remembrance, a woodland burial ground, or a special location.

Learn More

How We'll Create the Ceremony Together

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    First Contact

    We'll be introduced through a funeral director, or you can contact me directly through the Contact page. We'll have a quick chat to clarify who your loved one was and what you need, and to arrange a meeting.

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    Face-to-Face Meeting

    I'll meet with you and other close family members face-to-face, either at your home or another comfortable location. You can tell me all about your loved one who passed - who they were, what they loved, your memories together, what made them special - and we'll talk through options for the ceremony. Don't worry if there's anything we don't cover here, there'll be time later.

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    Research

    I'll gather your stories and memories. If appropriate, I may also speak with other friends or family members (only with your permission, naturally).

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    Weaving the ceremony

    Based on our conversations, I'll create a draft ceremony script that authentically reflects your loved one, their life, the things they loved, and your memories together. This typically includes eulogies (a speech given by you, a family member, or myself), poems, and songs (hymns or contemporary music). However, this is where you can be as creative as you like, to accurately represent and honour your person. This might mean karaoke, tarot readings, fancy dress, a rap battle, arts and crafts.... while there may be a time constraint at a traditional burial or cremation (check out my blog for more about this), the possibilities are endless!

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    Adding the finishing touches

    You'll have the opportunity to review the script and suggest any changes or additions to the order of service.

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    On the day

    I'll arrive early to coordinate with the funeral director and venue staff, ensure everything is ready, and deliver the ceremony you want with the warmth and dignity your loved one deserves.

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    After the ceremony

    I'll give you a call a few days after the ceremony to make sure it was everything you wanted and more. I'll also send a digital copy of the ceremony script. And if there's anything else you need, you can just get in touch.

Where Ceremonies Can Take Place

Crematoria and cemeteries, chapels and churches, woodland burial grounds, favourite beaches and parks, beloved gardens, atmospheric woodlands, even their local pub. Anywhere that feels right for saying goodbye.

I cover Bristol, South West England, and South Wales – from Arnos Vale Cemetery to Memorial Woodlands Thornbury, Brecon Beacons to the Somerset coast. And I have links in London, Cornwall, Manchester and beyond, don’t be afraid to suggest a location that’s not listed.

Discuss Your Needs

Making Ceremonies Meaningful

Your loved one was unique. Their goodbye should be too.

I believe in creating ceremonies that authentically reflect who someone was – their humour, their quirks, their passions, their impact on the people around them.

That’s done by creating a personalised ceremony that could only be for them, not with a generic script that could be about anyone.

I'll help you find the words when words feel impossible. I'll hold space for all your emotions – grief, love, anger, relief, gratitude, all of it. And I'll deliver a ceremony that honours your person with dignity and heart.

If you want Welsh language or culture included, I speak fluent Welsh (Cymraeg). If you want folkloric or spiritual elements, I'm a practicing witch who understands ritual. If you want laughter alongside tears, I believe that's one of the most beautiful ways to remember someone.

Get in Touch

What Families Say

A wonderful celebrant...Michelle really listens, she's dynamic and thoughtful, I've been at ease with her from the moment we first met.

Claudia

Funeral Ceremony FAQs

How quickly can you arrange a funeral ceremony?

I can usually work to whatever timeline you need. Funerals often happen within 1-2 weeks of the death, and I'm experienced at creating beautiful, personal ceremonies even with limited time.

What's the difference between a funeral and a celebration of life?
Can we include religious elements even though you're not religious?
What if we don't know what to say in a eulogy?

Let Me Help You Give Them The Goodbye They Deserve

I'm here to support you through this difficult time and create a ceremony that honours your loved one properly.

Contact Me