- LOCATION
Crematorium.
- STYLE
Generally with a: Hearse, Pall Bearers, Funeral Director.
A Celebration of Life Service consists of, but not limited to:
- An initial visit to you. This first visit may last up to two or so hours. This will depend on where you are in the UK too.
- Help and guidance through the various options, aspects, and ideas of a Celebration of Life service. You talk, I listen.
- Listening to your wishes, would-likes and specifically, how you would like the service to be (Religious/non-religious/Humanist and so forth)
- Giving advice and making suggestions where needed, or asked for by you. There are LOTS of ideas and things we can do.
- I'll make calls, send e-Mails and make contact with family, friends, colleagues as appropriate for stories, anecdotes, memories, as well as to see if they wish to participate in the service. Contact is made only with your permission.
- Complete access to me via phone (land line), mobile, e-mail, text, WhatsApp.
- Creation (planning and writing) the complete Service.
- Drafting of the Eulogy.
- E-Mailing you the first draft of the Eulogy for your thoughts, additions or even corrections.
- Completing the final Eulogy manuscript.
- Creation of the complete Ceremony timings and timetable (avoiding Crematorium fines)*
- Liaising with your Funeral Director.
- Delivery of the Ceremony on the day.
- Aftercare service
Fee: £250.00
* NOT all Crematoria have the same allotted time in the chapel for Services. Timings are classed as (sorry to revert to jargon): 20+5+5, 30+5+5, 35+5+5 and even 50+5+5. Call me and I can explain. As a word of kindly advice, DO NOT agree to a particular Crematorium at the say-so of a Funeral Director - unless you chose it and had your reasons. YOU have options which most do not explain.
NOTES about a Celebration of Life Service
Although I am based in Coventry (the village of Meriden is 4 miles away from me and is the geographical centre of England), I travel to various parts of the country and conduct Services. Many Funeral Directors have heard of me and my reputation and call me specifically to conduct Services for them - mainly in the West Midlands but also in the south such as in Hampshire, as far east as Essex and in the west- Newport, Wales.
Gone are the days when Cremation Services were always extremely formal, quite dark and no humour or levity. I still conduct quite a few Military funerals (with flag Bearers, Bugler, Bagpiper, coffin draped in the Union Flag and so forth with medals and military cap). This is very formal, dignified and very impressive. And, definitely it needs split second timing. But not all Services need to be this formal or like this.
A Celebration of Life Service is just that; A Celebration of the Life of your loved one.
If he/she was a 'character', loved to laugh, had a good sense of humour, was loving, kind - let's bring that out. Let's talk about him/her, tell a joke perhaps and bring the fun side out. MOST people want to be remembered for their humour, good nature and the fun times they had with you. THIS is what I can bring-out and explore with you to give them a really good send-off - that everyone will remember and enjoy the Service.
If this was your loved one, leaving the chapel with a smile on your face - not a tear, is what we are after. The reason being, we have shown the great side, the fun side, and the laughter you shared over the years. THIS is a Celebration of Life Service how it should be (in my opinion!)