Preparing the ceremony

After you have made contact with me directly or through your funeral director I will arrange to meet with you in your home so that I can get to know about your loved one and the life they lived. I will work closely with your funeral director following your wishes and offering guidance to ensure you have the service you want.

We will take time to talk about your loved one, who was important to them, any hobbies and interests they may have had, music they enjoyed and memories you wish to share.

We will talk about any music you might want during the ceremony, any reading or poems and explore whether anyone would like to read a tribute.

Once we have spent time talking through I will go away and draft a service based on what you have shared with me. I will either send you the draft or visit you again to make sure I have included everything that you would like.

A standard service will usually be 30 minutes long so I will check timings to make sure everything fits nicely and there is no rushed ending.

My fee will be invoiced by your funeral director and will appear as “disbursement” on the invoice. If you we work together without a funeral director I will invoice you directly. This usually happens in the case of a memorial service or celebration of life.

I can work with you to plan your own ceremony in a thoughtful and unhurried way, ensuring it reflects who you are and the life you have lived.

 I will meet with you to talk through your wishes, your life story, and the relationships and experiences that have mattered most to you, as well as any music, readings, or words you would like included. I will then carefully write the ceremony we have discussed and invite you to read through it, making any changes you wish so it truly fits your intentions.

Taking time to plan in this way can offer real peace of mind, knowing your wishes are clearly expressed and can be followed when the time comes, while also easing the emotional burden on those close to you by leaving them with clear, considered guidance shaped by your voice and values.

I am available across Hampshire & West Sussex to provide a ceremony at a crematorium or at the graveside.

I can  provide a memorial or celebration of life at a venue you choose. 

By arrangement I can cover other regions.

As an experienced psychotherapist I do provide counselling support  to help people cope with loss and grief, this is through my practice Applecross Psychotherapy