Many clients start off by saying that the person who died was not religious and did not go to church, and yet many still want an element of spirituality without the restraints of a traditional religious approach. I can of course offer a funeral where by religion is not referred to at all, but on other occasions it may be appropriate to include some religious or spiritual elements such as hymns, blessings or meditations.

You may want family and close friends to participate in the service, by means of readings, poems, live music, or personal tributes. There are no set rules to this. I welcome and encourage those who wish to take part, to express their own sentiments and say goodbye in ways that have significance for themselves and all those present.

You may try and include more unusual ways of marking your loss that are meaningful to you and inclusive of everyone. This makes each ceremony different and individual. This may be by releasing white doves or balloons after the service or I have even seen a whole crematorium filled with friends and family blowing soap bubbles.

These individual life centered funeral ceremonies are for those who want something more personal and meaningful than that of a traditional service.

Far from being sombre and sad, the Ceremonies I create are positive and uplifting - because they focus on life and not on death. You will find great comfort in providing a ceremony such as the person who has died would have wanted.