Bereavement affects people in many different ways. Feelings of shock and a variety of emotions come to the surface. The loss of a close loved one is one of the most difficult and stressful events we face in life and it helps to have the right person over-seeing the funeral process and the celebrations of life
A funeral celebrant is a qualified person who officiates funeral services by planning and overseeing funeral proceedings. Funeral celebrants conduct non-religious, semi-religious and spiritual funeral services.
Many celebrants aim for the funeral service to be a ‘celebration of life’ that honours the person’s memory. This approach places an emphasis on the individuality of how the person lived their life, their personality traits and the memories of mourners. For this reason, celebrants are the go-to option for people looking to create ceremonies of substance and meaning without necessarily mentioning religious beliefs or the afterlife.
Why should you choose a funeral celebrant?
At a time when emotions are heightened, and when words don’t seem enough to express the feelings inside, it can be helpful to turn to someone who can naturally empathise with you and who has a maturity of understanding.
A funeral celebrant can help portray the life and times of an individual within the context of their wishes and the wishes of the family, as well as conduct a timely event.
A celebrant is someone who can:
- Support you from the first meeting to the end of the service, ensuring that the wishes of the family are carried out
- Lead a fitting ceremony, that is time sensitive and is not rushed, at an emotional time and in unfamiliar circumstances
- Be flexible and sensitive about the form that a funeral can take
- Listen and empathise with you
- Contribute from experience to create the most suitable, dignified and respectful send off, including preparing the eulogy together with the family so it is a genuine reflection of the deceased.
- Create a suitable atmosphere at this formal occasion, to celebrate a person’s life.
Celebrations of life at Manor Hill House
At Manor Hill House you have the exclusive use of our venue for your funeral, celebration of life or wake. The house is set in the peaceful Worcestershire countryside in the heart of the West Midlands. Our professional team will be there to help you plan the memorial for your loved one from welcoming everyone arriving after the funeral to deciding on decorations, food and how to keep the children amused.
With our beautiful gardens, for those who require a few moments to sit and reflect, and our four reception rooms for those who prefer to reminisce with friends, there is something to suit all moods and ages.
We are here to help you, your family and friends to decide and organise how you celebrate the life of your loved one in a really special way.
Whatever your needs are we are here to help to arrange a very special celebration to remember your loved ones together. Please contact us to find out more.
A Personal approach to funerals from Justine Wykerd
“The current Coronavirus has had a big effect on the way that we do funerals at the moment; the number of people in attendance is limited, some crematoria have closed to the public, while Zoom /virtual services are on the uptake. Where this is the case, many families are opting for an intimate simple farewell with a more celebratory celebrations of life /memorial service at a later date when it is safe for larger gatherings. Increasingly, as a celebrant, I also find that families are steering away from the traditional and regimented confines, formal setting and strict timeframes of crematoria and they hold a funeral in a more personal setting – such as Manor Hill House where they are no restrictions. I wish more people knew about this alternative option! It is a great benefit to be able to promote a venue that is flexible and willing to offer a safe & private space to say your final goodbyes in a dignified manner and in a comforting environment.”
Justine Wykerd – Just Celebrations
