I am an Independent Funeral Celebrant based in Sheffield. My goal is to help you plan, create and deliver a personalised service of farewell.

I am fully trained and qualified to write and create a unique and meaningful ceremonial script that both honours and celebrates a life lived. I will walk beside and support you throughout.

What is a Funeral Celebrant?

As a Funeral Celebrant I can help you accurately reflect the life, character, beliefs and values of the person who has died and listen to you and others who are arranging the ceremony.

It’s important for me that I ensure you have what feels right and what you need. I am a professional and will work confidently with all involved in the ceremony.

We should all have the opportunity to create ceremonies that are just right for us, suitable for the circumstances and that truly represent the life of our person and how we want them to be remembered.

This can be anything that you need it to be. It may involve some religious elements or none at all. It may be at a local crematorium, outdoors in woodland or in your community hall. You may wish for me to speak throughout or want to speak your own words or perhaps read someone else’s; I would support you in doing that.

As I’m an Independent Funeral Celebrant I am not connected to any particular faith. I will bring calm professionalism, I will listen, and I am someone you can trust and someone who cares.

My Approach

My belief is that a funeral service is about the person who has died but is for the benefit of those left. 

I am a people person and love all forms of communication, particularly listening. I have worked with many different communities over the years and with people in a one-to-one setting and also as part of huge groups and public events. I love that I always learn something new and sometimes surprising from all these interactions. 

As a facilitator and key worker, I have worked in a variety of roles with a multitude of different people. I've worked within the fire service as well as working directly with disengaged young people, adults and families with addiction issues. Other career roles include working with adults who are isolated be that from family or community and many volunteer groups. 

I see our individuality and I am honoured to be part of our diverse and unique society. I have been lucky enough to support individuals and groups in allotments, art groups, training, recovery, health and wellbeing sessions, antiques, skills training and project managed festivals and large scale events.

As a trained photographer, I’m always looking and seeing what is around us. I particularly enjoy photographing portraits of people involved in activities they enjoy and in places that they love. I am also a member of a local choir and relish trying out new songs, especially those from around the world. Reading is a constant and never fails to inspire me, I am moved by the beauty and power of words, any type and style of writing.

I respect and want to work with people of all races, orientations, genders, ages, sizes, identities, lifestyles, cultures, differences and disabilities (whether visible or not). I will always try my hardest to be kind, considerate and inclusive. I work with respect and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.

I believe in asking questions and exploring for opportunities, innovations and potential answers together. At what can be a frightening time, it can help to be open and honest together.

I am emotionally intelligent, I will be present for you and give you space for what you want to discuss and share. I will uphold you, showing sensitive leadership during what can be a difficult time. I have a calm and gentle temperament and I am able to reassure and empathise whilst working sensitively and with compassion.

I also want to acknowledge that sometimes there are complexities; this can be an emotionally raw and chaotic time. I will give space for thoughts, feelings and memories of that person and if it is right for you, we will acknowledge the continuing bonds.

I know how important our environment is to us and how a walk through nature, surrounded by beautiful animals can be of solace at difficult times in our lives. Therefore, I have decided to donate 5% of my fee from every funeral I conduct to The Woodland Trust.

I am fully qualified and a member of the Green Fuse Funeral Celebrants Guild and the Funeral Celebrant Accord and I carry appropriate insurance.

What to Expect

• I will make contact with you to arrange a time for us to meet. This could be in person, online via video (e.g. Zoom) or on the phone. This meeting could last up to 2 hours, more or less as required.
  

• If not all involved are able to attend this meeting, I am happy to contact them separately, if required.
  

• I will spend time with you to learn about the person who has died and to understand what is required whilst providing information and advice for the planning of the ceremony.
  

• We may discuss their personality and values, their life story including beliefs, who will be present at the ceremony and details for the service, amongst many other things.
  

• I will be able to write a unique ceremony using words and thoughts you have shared.
  

• Support in the choices around music, poetry, readings, rituals, personalising the room.
  

• Support for those wishing to speak and participate themselves.
  

• A draft copy of the ceremony will be sent to you in plenty of time so that you are able to read it through. Is the tone, feel and wording right for you? I am passionate about getting the service just right.
  

• I will communicate efficiently with the Funeral Director and venue staff (where appropriate).
  

• I will lead the funeral service and make sure all the elements, run as smoothly as is possible.
  

• I will contact you on the day prior to the service, to hear how you are that day.
  

• On the day of the service, I will always aim to be at the venue prior to your arrival to greet you and be available for any questions.

Celebrancy With Grace

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or queries you may have.

Areas covered: 
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, surrounding counties and potentially further afield, with discussion.

Rates: 
Please contact me to discuss.
I will be donating 5% of my fees each year to The Woodland Trust

Availability:
I am contactable at any time but please allow me reasonable time to respond if I am not able to answer initially. I will talk to you about suitable times to meet. My last appointment time on a weekday will be 19:00pm. I am happy to work on a weekend, as long as I am free and available.

Contact:
Tel: 0788 178 8824
grace@graceweatherburn.com

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