Annie,
The Celebrant
Each one of us is unique.
And I am passionate about honouring and celebrating our own uniqueness . . . within each and every ceremony.
Whether this is at a Funeral at the local crematorium or a Celebration of Life in a space that was special to your loved one . . . it will always be delivered in a personal and compassionate way.
It would be an absolute delight to support you in creating the ceremony you wish for, and you can find out more details below:
Funerals
These are usually held at the local crematorium, cemetery or natural burial site and you can book with me directly or through your chosen Funeral Director.
Wherever you choose, I can help you create a ceremony that enables your loved one’s story to be told in a compassionate and heartfilled way. This can include religious elements should you choose . . . along with music, readings, poetry and photo tributes.
Funeral Ceremonies
from £225
Celebrations of Life
These can be held at a later date and at a location that, perhaps, holds a special significance or memories.
If desired, this can include the interment or scattering of ashes.
These ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular as they give families the time and freedom to arrange a ‘get together’ that is incredibly meaningful to the memory of their loved one.
Celebration of Life Ceremonies from £225
Interment or
the Scattering of Ashes
Ashes can be interred within a cemetery or local burial ground or they can be scattered in a space (with permission if needed) that holds special significance to you or your loved one.
Again, there is always choice . . . and it might be that you’d like to bury the ashes in a special spot in your garden and plant a memorial tree. Or to have a ceremony on the beach, or . . . - there really is more choice than you might imagine!
Ashes Ceremonies
from £150
So, these are the ‘usual’ types of funeral ceremony that are offered.
But, it’s the attention to detail and the incorporation of those memorable and special touches that is such an important consideration when arranging a truly fitting farewell ceremony for your loved one.
And this is what I love to do.
As well as understanding that it’s fundamental to get ‘it’ right . . . as there are no opportunities for a ‘re run’.
If you’d like to find out more, please pop me an email on the link below
and let’s set up a time to chat.
After a funeral, the Ceremony continues . . .
Shamanic Ceremonies
In addition, I also share Shamanic Ceremonies . . . one in particular that is a beautiful way of remembering your loved one is called a Despacho and is, in fact, a prayer of gratitude.
Here, we gently blow our love, our prayers, our memories and our tears into flowers, seeds and other compostable material to create a many layered and totally unique ‘picture’ of the gratitude and love that is held for this person.
Imagine creating this together as a family.
Sharing stories of your loved one as you do so.
Laughter, tears, memories.
It really is a magical and inclusive ceremony to share (and is also a beautiful way to honour a special pet too ♡) and the Despacho can then be placed in the earth, into water or taken to a sacred fire ceremony . . . or, as in the video opposite, can be created directly on the earth.
Despacho Ceremony from £150
This was a spontaneous Despacho Ceremony for what would have been my sister’s 70th birthday.
There was a break in the weather and so I literally chose to do this on the spur of the moment . . . hence my wearing jeans and a hoodie!
Many years ago, during the learning of one of the healing modalities that I offer, we were encouraged to write our own eulogy.
And I can remember that tears rolled down my cheeks as I wrote my own story. In my own words. What had been important to me. What had led me to make decisions and what I had learned from them. What made my heart sing. And what was I truly passionate about.
As an experience, it was hugely cathartic and one that I have revisited many times.
Because, I know that when the time comes for my farewell ceremony, it will be my version that will be told. And that is hugely empowering.
And I can help you do this too. Get in touch to find out more
Eulogy Writing and Funeral Wishes £125
So if, having seen the services that I offer, you’d like to know more . . . then please do get in touch using the link below and we can arrange to chat.
Here’s the flow of how ourworking together might be
Initial Meeting : After we have made contact (either through your enquiry via my website or through us being connected by your Funeral Director) we will arrange to meet at a mutually convenient location and time.
This is where we discuss the elements that you want included in your ceremony and I listen whilst gathering the details, information and stories that will form the foundation of your loved one’s service.
For peace of mind, I’m available to chat or via email should you need leading up to the date of the ceremony.
Writing : This is my time to create a fitting ceremony including all the elements that we’ve discussed such as words from family and friends, photographic or musical tributes or any rituals that might be appropriate.
Second Meeting : This is where we get together again and it’s an opportunity to hear what I’ve created. We can make changes at this point if needed. I then will forward the plan of the service to the Funeral Directors so that they can get any Orders of Service printed.
Day of Ceremony : I will be at the venue in plenty of time to ensure that everything is in place for your service and ready to welcome you, your family and your loved one as you all arrive.
FAQ’s
-
Absolutely!
As your celebrant, I’ll support you as you choose what you would like included in the ceremony.
Ultimately, this will be about your loved one, their story, what made their heart sing and what their legacy is.
As an Independent Celebrant, I can include hymns, prayers and bible readings if you would like although I’m not able to do a blessing. -
Yes!
You can choose to have a ‘conventional’ service - which is usually a cremation or a burial within a graveyard or a natural burial site.
Alternatively, you might decide that a direct cremation (this has no service) is what you’d like with the opportunity to hold an interment of ashes and a Celebration of Life party at a later date. And you can pretty much hold these anywhere.
You always have choices - often way more than a funeral director might suggest and I am passionate in supporting you as you make your decisions. -
Yes, absolutely!
The Funeral Directors usually have a number of celebrants they use on a regular basis. But if you feel drawn to choosing someone else, then you can do this. It’s always your choice.
And it’s really simple to organise -
just ask the FD to get in touch with me and we’ll sort everything from there. -
My fees are as listed above. If we are put in contact by your Funeral Director, they may have a standard charge within their fees that they make for all celebrants. If you’re not sure, it might be worth speaking with them to clarify.
I do make an additional charge of 45 pence per mile over a 50mile radius from my base. -
If you would like to arrange a ‘no obligation’ chat please email me hello@iamanniebarber.com to arrange a suitable time.
