Listening has always been at the heart of what I do
For over 25 years, my professional life has centred on understanding people. I’ve spent my career listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions and helping people uncover the stories, experiences and values that shape their lives.
Celebrancy felt like a natural extension of those skills. Today I work closely with families to create ceremonies that honour a life honestly and warmly, while offering support and guidance at what can be an emotional and often overwhelming time.
Why I became a celebrant
Over the years, I’ve attended funerals that left a lasting impression – for very different reasons.
Some felt impersonal, somehow disconnected from the person they were meant to honour. Funerals are naturally sad occasions, but I often found myself wishing for more warmth, more individuality and more recognition of the unique person being remembered.
Then I attended a ceremony for a close friend, led by a civil celebrant. It was thoughtful, personal and deeply moving. Through the memories, stories and small details that were shared, it felt as though she was there in the room with us. It captured not only what she had done in life, but who she was.
That experience stayed with me.
It showed me how powerful a truly personal ceremony can be. Not because it takes away the sadness of saying goodbye, but because it gives people the chance to remember, reflect and celebrate a life in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.
I’ve also long been drawn to the different ways cultures and traditions approach death and remembrance. Many see death not only as an ending, but as a natural part of life – a time to honour memories, celebrate connections and carry loved ones forward in our hearts.
As a celebrant, my aim is simple: to create ceremonies that feel true to the person at their heart, and to be a calm, listening presence for those who love them at one of life’s most difficult moments.
Every ceremony begins with listening
Every person is unique, and every family experiences loss differently. There is no right way to say goodbye. My role is to spend time understanding the person who has died, the people who loved them and the memories they leave behind.
Together, we’ll create a ceremony that feels personal, sincere and true to the individual being remembered – whether that includes music, readings, symbolic acts, moments of reflection or simply the stories and memories that mattered most.
My approach is calm, compassionate and collaborative. I’ll guide you gently through each stage, so that you feel supported throughout and able to create a fitting farewell.
Qualified. Experienced. Person-centred.
I am a qualified funeral celebrant, holding the NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy through Civil Ceremonies Ltd.
My training included ceremony design, bereavement awareness, communication, inclusion and professional practice – and, above all, creating personalised ceremonies that reflect the life, values and beliefs of the person at their heart.
I am a member of the Institute of Civil Funerals.
Let’s talk
If you’d like to find out whether I’m the right celebrant for you, I’d be glad to hear from you.