Ellie 
Direct cremations, also known as unattended funerals, have potentially changed how we moan the deaths of those we love. Taking away the option of a ceremony to celebrate a person’s life and to say goodbye in the traditional, ritualistic or customary way can affect how we grieve. Denied the opportunity to say goodbye at a …
The National Funeral Exhibition 2026 took place between 11th-13th June 2026 in Warwickshire. I went on the first day of the event with fellow funeral celebrants Nicky Sutton and Louisa Starr. Organised by the National Association of Funeral Directors, it was a three day event, attended by funeral industry professionals from across the globe. There …
Many people can be faced with the honourable task of writing a funeral for a friend. Telling stories and memories about life stages and experiences at the funeral of a friend can help those grieving. Sometimes friends ask each other to do this at each other’s funeral. Funeral celebrants also have to do this, and …
Grief is the strongest of human emotions, effecting our lives in an individual way. 2nd – 8th December is National Grief Awareness Week 2024. This is a representation of grief. Grief rips a hole in you which will eventually close, but never truly heal.Grief leaves you feeling empty and looking within as you can’t see …
St Mary’s church Whitby has an annual Christmas tree display with many decorated trees. Trees are decorated in honour of those who have died by their family members, Whitby businesses or local causes. As part of 2024’s display, there is a tree for The Whitby Celebrant and Alternative Ceremonies UK. Sticking to my brand created …
Living With Death: An Exhibition Exploring Death, Dying and Bereavement On Saturday 19th October 2024 I was involved in an event at Leeds City Museum, as part of the tri annual Leeds Festival of Gothica event. Living With Death is an informative, thought provoking and colourful exhibition, from their website: Living with Death: an exhibition …
Funerals are for everyone who wants to help their families and people celebrate their lives and say goodbye to them in a personalised way. If the person who has died led an alternative life or was part of a subculture such as Goth, they may desire a Goth funeral celebrating their lifestyle and their life. …
Many of us are familiar with the funeral image of a blazing Viking longship out at sea. Films and tv programmes about Vikings have given us this image of how Vikings held funerals. Because of this, it has become the funeral choice of many people, and when talking about funerals, someone will state they want …
An alternative to cremation and burial will be available to choose later in 2023 as Aquamation/water cremation/Resomation will be available in the UK. It has been a body disposal choice in America, Canada, and South Africa. It was the method chosen by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Known by a few names, what is it and will …
How many of us would think of planning our own funeral? Probably not many as it is morbid and not something we want to think or talk about, right? Only very old or ill people die, so why would we even think this now? Wrong, (death isn’t reserved for old and ill people). Death is …