Welcoming Your Child in a Way That Feels Right for You The arrival of a child changes everything. Whether you’re welcoming a newborn baby, an adopted child, a stepchild joining your family, or celebrating a child later in life, many parents feel a deep desire to mark the occasion with…
Category: Funeral
How to Make a Funeral Ceremony More Personal and Meaningful.
There’s a quiet truth at the heart of every farewell: no two lives are the same, so no two funerals should be either. A meaningful funeral ceremony isn’t about ticking boxes or following a script that’s been dusted off a thousand times before. It’s about telling a story. Their story.…
What Does a Funeral Celebrant Do?
When someone we love dies, the world can feel as though it tilts slightly off its axis. In those moments, clarity, compassion, and gentle guidance matter more than ever. This is where a funeral celebrant steps in, not just as an organiser of ceremonies, but as a steady hand and…
The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying: Life Lessons That Shape Meaningful Ceremonies
As an independent celebrant, I have the honour of standing with people at some of life’s most significant thresholds. Weddings, naming ceremonies, renewal of vows and celebration of life services all share one thing in common. They pause time. They invite reflection. They ask us to consider what truly matters.…
Top 10 Most Popular Wedding Songs, Top 10 Most Popular Funeral Songs & Why Music Matters in Every Ceremony
Music is the heartbeat of any ceremony. Whether it’s a wedding overflowing with joy, a funeral filled with reflection and love, or any milestone moment in between, the right song speaks directly to the soul. As an independent celebrant, Shelley Bell Celebrant knows just how transformative music can be—it grounds…
What Happens After the Funeral? A Complete Guide to the Cremation Process
When the funeral ends and family and friends say their final goodbyes, many people wonder what happens next — especially when cremation is the chosen method. Understanding the cremation process helps bring peace of mind and answers to common questions about what happens after the funeral, how a body is…
Direct Cremation – What’s All The Fuss About? The Pro’s and Con’s explained…..
What Is a Direct Cremation? A direct cremation is the most basic form of cremation. It happens without a funeral service beforehand, and without mourners present at the crematorium. The body is collected, cremated, and then the ashes are returned to the family, who can choose to commemorate their loved…
Meet my supplier Chums!!! Susie from Wivenhoe Flowers
In this Blog we welcome another of my supplier chums, Susie from Wivenhoe Flowers to answer my probing questions about who she is and what she does. I first meet Susie at a wedding fair and was struck by her beautiful floral arrangements that were all grown by her fair…
You Don’t Have to Be Buried in a Box – and Other Funeral Myths
When most people think of a funeral, they picture a casket, a cemetery, and a somber service in a crematorium chapel or church. But that’s only one version of a farewell. The truth is, funerals are as diverse as the people they honour. Whether shaped by cultural heritage, spiritual beliefs,…
Why I started my own Bereavement Group…
In this blog, I outline the reasons why I have decided to start my own bereavement friendship and support group. What’s the point? For years I have always wondered about what happens to people once I have conducted a funeral for their people. To the old folks who have…
