Hello… if we were to sit and have a cup of tea, and you asked about my path to being a funeral celebrant and more about me, here are some of the things I might tell you….

Many years ago when we were both teenagers, my brother died; he had been unwell over many years but died suddenly and unexpectedly. The shock and subsequent adjustment means that since then, I have carried deeply, an awareness of living and dying; it was a little like the awareness rested on my shoulder and settled there as I walked my path. I trained and then worked for some years as a paediatric nurse in hospitals and in the community. I did some childhood bereavement training  and then volunteered with some children’s bereavement charities in the South West (Penhaligon’s Friends and Jeremiahs Journey) who are doing really great work with children. When my grandfather was dying, I became aware of how being consciously involved with the dying process can bring understanding and in turn healing. I know this connection between involvement and healing to be as true for our funerals and farewell rituals. Bereavement has been a big part of my life and those experiences have evolved into compassion and understanding.

I was drawn to do some celebrant training in New Zealand and love how we use ceremonies to mark key points in our lives; a way of stopping and taking a breath, looking at the view, and checking in with ourselves and those around us.  I have been creating and holding space since 2005 offering personalised ceremonies for belly blessings, baby namings and weddings (which I still offer when asked) but I feel that working with bereaved families is where my heart lies.

After many years of wanting to, circumstances came together that enabled me to develop my celebrant work and I trained in 2016 as a funeral celebrant with Green Fuse.

I deeply believe in creative freedom so that the ceremonies throughout our lives are meaningful and healing. I put no judgements on anyone’s personal belief systems, rather I hope to meet peoples wishes and needs with open-ness.

In 2017 with a friend, we started Threshold Choir of West Wales; in which, in the form of bedside singing in small groups, we offer the gift of song to people who are dying, their families and caregivers. They continue to sing when asked and regularly at Skanda Vale Hospice.

I try to practice a sense of openess, gratitude and being mindfully present; my day to day tools are writing, drawing, photography, singing  and mothering. I am lucky to be supported by some lovely friendships; the sea, the hills and the woodlands are my church.

I feel blessed to be living in West Wales with my husband, my 2 girls and assorted 2 and 4 legged creatures.

Please go to my contacts page if you would like to get in touch.

professional accountability

I trained with Green Fuse  award winning funeral directors and trainers and hold a Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy.

I adhere to the Green Fuse Code of Conduct.

I have Public Liability Insurance with Balens.

I am a member of dyingmatters an organisation raising awareness of dying, death and bereavement.

I pay a subscription to support the Natural Death Society a charity supporting  family organised and environmentally friendly funerals. They also give free, impartial advice on all aspects of dying.

I am listed with funeralcelebrants  a site that helps you find funeral celebrants around the UK.