Thursday 24 October 2013

Photos On The Andrew Jackson Celebrant Blog


I've been asked about the photographs used on the blog... simple answers, yes and no. 'Yes', all the images are my own. 'No', often they have absolutely nothing to do with the text. Really, its just to make the blog look a little more interesting visually. I am hoping that I'll start to have some interesting pictures to share from the different ceremonies undertaken, but obviously I'm always sensitive to the families and the occasions...watch this space...

Today I have been mostly eating a rather lovely fruit & nut flapjack. Probably full of calories but hey, we only live once. Unless your faith involves reincarnation, obviously.


Sunday 20 October 2013

The Big Bang: What To Do With Ashes.


What do you do with the ashes of a loved one after a ceremony? Writer Hunter S Thompson famously requested his ashes to be blasted skyward, carried by red, blue and silver fireworks. And I'm pretty sure that you can do the same in this country (* never worked with them but look at 'Heavens Above Fireworks'). 

Organisations such as The National Trust do try to be supportive and are willing to consider a formal request.

Thursday 17 October 2013

Funeral costs in UK: The Price Is right?


It was recently reported that the overall cost of dying is up 7.1% from 2012 prices. Although I think this is incorrect, as generally the dying bit is actually free. I think they meant that funeral costs are up 7.1%. 

The cost of a basic funeral has risen 5.3% since 2012, to £3,456. The average cost of a burial is now £3,914, which is about £1,000 more than the average cremation. Once discretionary costs are added - a headstone, flowers, choice of coffin, etc the basic cost of a funeral rises to an average of £7,662. Of course, there are regional variations: London area costs are higher whereas the least expensive place to die / arrange a funeral is Wales (average cost here is £6,096).

Sunday 13 October 2013

A "Love of Life" List


Question: What would you do if you were told you had three years to live?I read an interesting article on the BBC website today, in the News Magazine section, talking about 'bucket lists' - which are things to do before 'kicking the bucket'. 

And although I would rather label it a "Love for Life" list, I think its a brilliant idea.

Saturday 12 October 2013

Beautiful Words at Midford Natural Burial Ground


In the previous post, I mentioned a wonderful ceremony that I conducted at Midford natural burial ground, which is located just outside Bath. As a funeral celebrant, I often have conversations with people who ask about alternatives to a church yard burial. There are an increasing number of natural burial site choices; some in woodland, others will remain pasture.

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Thinking About A Revolution


A question: Would you like your funeral in a church or at a crematorium? If you have a strong faith the answer will be obvious. But the number of weekly worshippers in the UK now stands at 12% and falling. So that leaves an awful lot of people - 88% - who are maybe less sure.

If I told you that the funeral service didn't have to be in either - that it could be conducted at home in the garden, at the golf club, in a farmers field in a marquee, would that change your mind? There is no legal constraint in the UK, other than you must have the permission of the person who owns the space.