Funerals

A ceremony centred on your person

A funeral does not have to follow a standard script.

It can be gentle and traditional, informal and uplifting, reflective, spiritual, non-religious or a thoughtful mixture of different beliefs and traditions. It can include stories, poems, music, readings, quiet reflection and moments of humour.

What matters is that the ceremony feels true to the person being remembered and right for the people gathering to say farewell.

I can help you create:

• Funeral and cremation ceremonies
• Burial and graveside services
• Memorial and celebration-of-life ceremonies
• Interment ceremonies
• Scattering-of-ashes ceremonies
• Personal eulogies and tributes
• Ceremonies planned in advance
• Services incorporating religious, cultural or family traditions

I work with people of any faith, mixed faith or none.

What happens when you contact me?

1. We arrange a conversation

I will speak with the person or family arranging the funeral. This is usually a warm, unhurried conversation in which you can tell me about the person who has died and explain what you would like the ceremony to feel like.

You do not need to arrive with everything planned. It is my job to guide you through the choices.

2. I listen to their story

We will talk about the person’s life, relationships, values, achievements and personality – the important milestones as well as the small details that made them unmistakably themselves.

I can also help family members decide whether they would like to speak, contribute a memory or ask me to read their words for them.

3. I write the ceremony

I will create an original ceremony rather than insert a name into a standard template. This may include a welcome, life story, tributes, readings, music, reflection and closing words.

Where appropriate, I will liaise with the funeral director, crematorium or other professionals involved.

4. I lead the funeral

On the day, I will conduct the ceremony with warmth, dignity and calm. If emotions become overwhelming or plans change unexpectedly, you will have an experienced person there to hold the ceremony together.

Writing a eulogy or tribute

Some families know exactly what they want to say but need help shaping their memories into a coherent tribute. Others feel completely lost for words.

I can write and deliver the eulogy, help you develop a tribute in your own voice, or read words on behalf of somebody who does not feel able to speak on the day.

The aim is not to catalogue an entire life. It is to help everyone present recognise and remember the person they knew.

Why ask Julie to lead the funeral?

• Experience gained from leading more than 500 funeral ceremonies
• Every ceremony written personally rather than taken from a template
• A calm, confident and compassionate presence
• An experienced writer, speaker and former head of English
• A mentor with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy
• Author of The Little White Book of Funeral Celebrancy
• Experience incorporating faith, culture, poetry, music and personal ritual
• Dozens of five-star recommendations across Julie’s celebrancy work

The Little White Book of Funeral Celebrancy

My experience with bereaved families inspired me to write The Little White Book of Funeral Celebrancy: Crafting Words Where Grief and Grace Stand Together.

It explores how we tell someone’s story, create a genuinely personal funeral and find meaningful words at a difficult time. It is written for celebrants and funeral professionals, but also for families, tribute-givers and anyone thinking about their own eventual farewell.

Areas I cover

I am based in Devon and work throughout the county and across the South West. Depending on the circumstances, I may also be able to travel farther afield.

If the funeral is outside my usual area, please contact me. If I cannot help personally, I may be able to recommend a trusted celebrant from my professional network.

Funeral celebrant questions

How quickly will you respond?

I understand that funeral arrangements are time-sensitive. Call or text me on 07852 703585 and I will respond as soon as I reasonably can.

Can the ceremony contain religious elements?

Yes. I can create a ceremony for any faith or none, or incorporate selected prayers, hymns, readings and traditions that hold meaning for your family.

Can the funeral include humour?

If humour was part of the person’s character and feels right for the family, absolutely. A funeral can acknowledge grief while also making room for affection, laughter and the stories that bring someone vividly to mind.

What if nobody in the family feels able to speak?

There is no obligation for a relative or friend to speak. I can gather their memories, write the tribute and deliver it on their behalf.

Can you help us plan a memorial or scattering of ashes?

Yes. I create and lead memorials, celebrations of life, interments and scattering-of-ashes ceremonies as well as funerals.

How much does a funeral ceremony cost?

Funeral celebrancy services start from £250. The final fee will depend on the type of ceremony, location and any additional writing or travel required. I will explain the fee clearly before you decide to proceed.

Let us begin with a conversation

You do not need to have the words or the ceremony planned before you call.

Tell me about the person you love. I will listen, guide you through the choices and help you create a farewell that honours the life they lived.