Funerals
Funeral Poems
Many families like to include one or two poems or readings at a funeral service or celebration of life because it helps to provide a beautiful and emotional addition to the service.
You may already know which poem you would like; perhaps the person had a favourite poet or author. But if you need a little inspiration, I have put together a selection of poems that may inspire you.
Read MoreScattering or Interment of Ashes
The great thing about the scattering of the ashes ceremony is that it is entirely up to you, a special occasion to remember the life of a loved one. The short ceremony to scatter their ashes, will be memorable, heartfelt, meaningful, and dignified. It is a most fitting and brilliant opportunity to give your loved one the final send-off they would have wished for.
Read MoreMilitary Funeral
Veterans funerals honour people who have served their country but have since left the Armed Forces. Funerals for those men and women serving in the armed forces take many forms and are a way of paying respect to those who have died in active service.
The United Kingdom doesn’t have an official burial ground for members who served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces but funeral services can be held in a place of worship or at another appropriate venue.
Read MoreHelping children deal with grief
In my previous role as a head teacher for 13 successful years at a school for children aged 11-16 with social and emotional issues I know far too well that over the last couple of years, the mental health of children has been underestimated. The Covid-19 pandemic caused the world to become even more augmented through the medium of social media & TV at a time of significant levels of social disconnection and emotional misperception.
Grief is the acute pain that accompanies loss.
Read MoreDirect Cremation
Direct cremation will provide a family with a simple, straightforward, affordable alternative to a traditional, full-service funeral.
It’s a cremation without any ceremony and is unattended without mourners.
In the future, many families choose to organise a separate celebration of life ceremony, interment or scattering of ashes memorial service, to commemorate the life of their loved ones.
Read MoreInterment of Ashes
Interment of ashes refers to the process where ashes are placed in a permanent resting place in the ground. These range from dedicated family plots and cemeteries to home gardens and woodland spaces.
Much like a celebrant led funeral or memorial service, there’s no right or wrong way. You may hold a formal service led by a celebrant with friends and family, or just a quiet small informal get-together. This service doesn’t normally take place at the same time as the funeral, and it’s sometimes appropriate to have a separate interment ceremony months or years later. It’s the family’s personal choice.
An interment of ashes ceremony is a beautiful ceremony and can provide families and friends with the opportunity to say final goodbyes and condolences to their loved ones. It’s also somewhere the family can visit
Read MoreScattering of Ashes Ceremony
The scattering of the ashes ceremony is a special occasion to commemorate the life of a loved one. The occasion is meaningful, memorable, heartfelt and dignified but the best thing about this ceremony is that that it is entirely up to you how you do it.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to give your loved one the send-off they would have wished for.
Ashes are traditionally scattered in a place of significance, interned in the ground, or taken home in an urn.
Read MoreHONOURING YOU FAMILY PET’S MEMORY
Coping with the sudden loss of a pet can be an emotionally trying time for most pet owners and can be devastating for the whole family, especially when they have been a source of unconditional friendship and love. For many of us, pets are a beloved extension of our family and we have a unique bond with them. For children, the breaking of this beautiful bond can cause high anxiety because it may be the first time that they experience the loss of a close family member or friend.
When your much-loved pet passes away unexpectedly, a part of us goes with them. We mourn their loss as that of any other cherished member of our families.
Read MoreA Parent’s Guide – Children and Bereavement
A child or young person’s anxiety levels are often extremely high before bereavement because they are scared and worried about the unknown. This could result in a child becoming withdrawn, tearful, aggressive, as well has exhibiting self-harm.
Read MoreCoping with the loss of a family pet
If you have experienced the loss of a family pet, you understand that the beautiful bond between animals and humans can be enormously strong. That’s why the grief you may experience with the loss of a family pet can be just as intense as what you feel when you lose a human member of your…
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