Funeral Celebrant
London & Suffolk

Let me help you through life's bittersweet moments

Celebration of Life, Memorial, Thanksgiving

Hello, I'm Helen, a Funeral Celebrant working in London and Suffolk. I know planning a Celebration of Life, Memorial, Thanksgiving or traditional Funeral, is one of life's most bittersweet of moments.

You'll want to capture the best of memories and say an affectionate, respectful goodbye to the person you love ... I can help you create a funeral ceremony that meets your needs and hopefully makes you feel a little bit lighter along the way.

As an Independent Celebrant, I can work at any venue, with any Funeral Director (or none). A ceremony can be non-religious, semi-religious, or include some other spiritual ritual or reference that is meaningful to you.

Although I'm not personally tied to any belief or set way of doing things, I do believe everyone deserves a thoughtful farewell... with their life story right at the heart.

I also believe 'less is more'... so I don't rush around churning out formulaic services or trying to juggle the needs of multiple families at once.

I like to immerse myself fully in each family story, and weave the different strands together as effectively as I can. (Some lives are 'complicated' - but that's OK, I like a challenge, and luckily my 'Pre-Celebrant' life skills come in handy!)

It will be my privilege to help you create a truly reflective end-of-life service - for yourself, if planning ahead, or for a loved family member or friend. The planning process - explained below - will take time and energy, but it will be worth it.

Choosing the right person to help you is important, so some testimonials from others might bring reassurance.

About me

Types of Funeral

You may already have some idea of what type of funeral you want - or the things you definitely don't want?! You may already know an 'Independent Celebrant' - like me - can be more open-minded when it comes to planning your funeral ceremony, compared to a faith leader or 'Humanist'.

But if this is completely unknown territory to you, don't worry. I can talk you through your service options, be this a Celebration of Life, or any other end-of-life ceremony... Indoors or outdoors - or even at home, or another location of choice? Burial; Cremation - or perhaps a short unattended 'Direct Cremation', without fuss and frills?

Direct Cremation is a new trend that allows you to step away from formality, costly cars or caskets, or the feeling of being on show when you're vulnerable. The practical aspects of death (the committal of the body) happen quietly.

A separate Memorial or Thanksgiving service allows you more time to get creative or potentially involve more people. We can take out all the pompous stuff and inject some personality. We can explore ideas that really reflect the absent guest of honour.

Or perhaps you'd like a 'Living Funeral'? The 'pre-funeral' idea started in Japan in the 1990s - you get to be at the centre of your funeral in life, rather than after your death. Importantly, you get to say what you want to those you care about... and hear their words to you!

Whatever the type of funeral, we'll focus on the person we are saying goodbye to. We'll acknowledge their highs and lows; laugh, cry, reminisce, and blend in aspects of ceremony that bring comfort to those left behind. Loss is hard, but it really does help to face that fact communally.

How will I plan your funeral service?

Our first step: getting to know each other, either face-to-face or online, so we can plan a funeral service that's exactly right for you.

Typically this takes up to two hours. I'll listen for all the little details that will make people smile about the person you're saying goodbye to. We'll talk about their wishes and beliefs, and yours. If helpful, I can give ideas for readings, music, special touches of remembrance.

If you have concerns or questions I'll be there for you as much as I can.

Step two: I have told stories all my professional life. I will use this experience to write a meaningful tribute and structure the service so it flows well. However meandering and informal our chat seemed to be, I will have listened out for small details and the authentic words of family and friends. It's your farewell so it has to feel right for you and an accurate reflection of the deceased.

If that means going backwards and forwards and re-drafting, that's what I'll do.

Step three: when officiating on the day I can lead from the front, or be right behind you giving moral support as you stand to pay tribute. Whatever feels right. I'll bring calm, a smile, tissues... and if there's room for humour I'll bring that along too.

Mobile: 07976 278080

Time's are changing - there are many different ways to say goodbye ...

Email: HelenDealCelebrant@gmail.com

TESTIMONIALS

After the service, families and friends have said ...

Thanks so much for everything, you really helped us through the process. Lots of guests at the funeral commented on how perfect you were, very warm and human.

Thank you again, I thought you were brilliant and struck exactly the right note. It was just perfect.

Thank you so much for organising and leading the service with such empathy and warmth. So many have told me how lovely it was. Everything seemed to work so well and there was a spirit of joy as well as sadness. For us it was a new experience and so we especially valued your guidance. You made us feel you were involved in us as a family and that was very important...

You were an absolutely lovely celebrant. We couldn’t have been cared for and supported any better. You really listened and it was all exactly as I wanted...

Thank you very much for all your support and work on making it a beautiful service for mum, and for giving a real sense of her in your eulogy. I honestly don't know how you do it, but everyone said how good and warm you and your words were. Thank you also for phoning me on the morning of the funeral. After that, I felt able to approach the day in high adrenaline mode, keeping an eye out for everyone attending, especially my boys...

I have been to other services and come out crying because there was so much religion in there, and nothing of the man. But the balance today was beautiful. Thank you...

I really want to thank you for leading the service for my mum this morning. Although the allotted time was very short, it was lovely and you managed to say a lot about her. Everyone said that they learned something new. I thought your whole approach was compassionate, based on understanding the person and very well organised on a practical level. It must be a rather unique job, you do it very well...

You were 'the real deal'. (People have probably kidded you like this before!) It was an excellent service. Vivien would have enjoyed it if she had been there. Many people have remarked to me about it...

You were absolutely amazing, you made such a difficult day so much easier to bear. Since the service, many people have commented on how lovely the service was and how lovely you were too...

Thank you for doing Alan proud today. You were really wonderful and captured his heart and spirit perfectly. I was really impressed with how you stitched together his early life with what we knew about him in later years, and you handled this very delicately and sensitively. A heartfelt thanks from all of us...

Thank you for all you did to make my sister's service so memorable. Many people shared with me how beautiful the ceremony was and how respectful of her memory. It certainly was not an easy task or an easy day, but your empathy and respect shone through. It was recognised as the celebration we hoped for and an opportunity for individuals to share their grief and loss. You have my most sincere appreciation. You have my deepest gratitude. You have my utmost respect...

Thanks for all your hard work in collating and researching material for the service. Your kindness, patience and thoughtfulness is much appreciated. I thought the service went very well and I am very grateful for your professional and sympathetic approach. Death is an inevitable path we all travel in our lives. So thank you again for easing the way for those left behind...

Thanks very much for helping us with the funeral service for our dad. It was a great way to acknowledge & appreciate his life & all he did for us. I certainly found it very moving & cathartic. We are still adjusting, but you have helped us find some relief & comfort. It is lovely to have the hard copy & a digital copy of the service, which I shall share with some of the family...

Thank you for your sensitive and compassionate eulogy. Lots of people said that they appreciated your words and I think you helped dad have a dignified send off...

Thank you for conducting such a wonderful service. I really appreciated your openness and the way you dealt with everything efficiently and with great grace. You made things easier for me...

Please get in touch if you think I can help give a loving send-off for you or your family, or first read more about me to be sure I'm right for you. Costs and details of what's involved can be found under Services.

CONTACT ME

I work within a reasonable radius of London N8, and cover the Woodbridge area of Suffolk and beyond. Travel further afield is always possible. Please contact me direct or use the form to get in touch with more detail of your needs.