Hello, welcome.
I’m Laura, a funeral celebrant, specialising in bespoke, creative funerals that help honour and celebrate a life.
You may have specific ideas of what you would like or you may not know exactly how do to this… that’s okay. I’m here to help you navigate this often strange and difficult time.
I will respect and honour you and your families culture, traditions and values and we can explore together how to weave the memories, stories and relationships in order to co-create a meaningful ceremony that truly reflects your special person.
“Deep listening is the kind of listening that can help relieve the suffering of another person. You listen with only one purpose: to help him or her to empty his heart.“
– Thich Nhat Hanh
My Role
My grandmother, Sabina, was unofficially the village midwife and mortician in Elland, Halifax in the late 1800’s.
I discovered this after I had chosen to walk this path…. I walk in her footsteps and I am continually inspired by this work.
Since I was a child I have been fascinated by life’s big questions, exploring how to give meaning to the impermanence of life, how to express the love we feel and how to grieve. These are not things than can be learnt but only through experience can we come to understand them for ourselves.
Having been a storyteller for the last 20 years, in theatres, on film and within communities, I am constantly amazed by the different experiences and lives we have lived.
I am grateful to the people who have shared their personal stories with me and entrusted me to perform this role, it is a huge privilege.
Our stories are such an important part of who we are and as telling them is an ancient and universal way humans have made sense of the world.
The process:
Each ceremony is uniquely crafted. I can be involved as much or as little as you wish…
We spend time gathering and writing all the threads of your unique story and weaving it into the heart of your ceremony. I take the time to get to know you so I can create a bespoke and meaningful ceremony that allows the spirit and heart of your special person to shine.
I will write a script and send you a draft copy to edit and finalise.
Suggest resources, poems and readings and encourage you to weave your own ideas into the ceremony.
Support you to write your own words for the day. You may wish to read the eulogy yourself or have different family members and friends speak poems and readings.
Liaise with venues, suppliers and be on hand to ensure the day runs smoothly and with ease.
Incorporate symbolic rituals that reflect what this moment of your life means to you. These could include:
Tree planting ritual – As part of a memorial ceremony to honour the cycle of life or by handing out seeds to guests to plant in memory of the person. This tree can then be taken to a garden or special place to grow.
Flower rituals – Placing flowers on the coffin/offering petals to the grave/flowers can also be handed our to friends and family member to take home. Honouring the natural world and the stages of life.
Candle rituals – Candles can be used in many ways at a ceremony. They can be lit and left burning while those present depart/Extinguished in parting/Passed down to generations.
Four Directions Ritual – This is a nature based ritual embodying the divine and that we as human being a part of natural life. Calling on the four directions (East, South, West and North) and their elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth to support us at this time.
The ceremonies I offer are inclusive and for all ages, beliefs, backgrounds, sexualities and gender identities.
I love to be creative, drawing from many different sources including poetry, music, film and art.
If you already have an idea you’d like to explore or you’re not sure where to start please get in touch.
I’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for your response. ✨
CO-CREATED CEREMONIES 