More to Death: The Natural Death Centre's Magazine

The latest edition of "More to Death" is available - click on the link to have a read. Thought provoking as always - the article about home funerals is especially interesting.

A Quick Update

I've written at least six draft posts this afternoon and none would represent a worthwhile investment of your time reading them. So this post is just to say that I am still here - just a little overwhelmed at the moment by some incredibly emotional ceremonies. 

Andrew Jackson is an independent funeral celebrant, available to help families in Bristol, Bath and beyond. (but not 'beyond' like Buzz Lightyear - I'm thinking Somerset, Wiltshire and Bristol!). Picture is spring time in Bath.

What is your favourite funeral poem?

I haven't posted any of my favourite funeral poems for a while...well, this one is a very popular / often used poem, that seems to be resonating with families at the moment. For many, the sense of spirit living on is incredibly comforting and reassuring.

500 Days and Counting

This post is about life, which makes a refreshing change. Now, you may need to sit down for this next bit of information - or at least prepare a sugar-heavy cup of tea for shock - but my 50th birthday is on the horizon (and for those of you who looked at the picture and thought "He's looking good for sixty", well, that's just mean...). Now, when I say 'on the horizon', its actually 500 days away (*give or take a few days - I worked it out once but life is too short to double check the figures) (which is exactly the attitude that held me back from a career as an accountant or physicist). Landmark birthdays are great for reassessing life. My feeling is that rather than wait for 50 and then make changes, I want to hit my 50th birthday fighting fit for the second half of my life...

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.

Reflecting on a Challenging Week

Sitting here, my first task is to apologise for the lack of blog postings of late. No real excuse other than last week was something of an emotional journey. For example, on Friday I helped a family say goodbye to a husband and father of two young children. He died from cancer aged just 38. It is difficult to know what to say, other than to be able to offer any kind of help and comfort in such circumstances is a huge privilege. 

A Very Personal Farewell

Today has been a very emotional day, as I helped a family say goodbye to their mum.

What made today rather unique were the lengths that the family went to, in order to honour their promise to stay with their mum on her final journey.

Rather than book a hearse, the family drove their mum to the crematorium themselves, taking a route that revisited favourite places. Once at the crematorium, in respect for how fiercely proud their mum was of her Scottish roots, the family had booked a piper to lead everyone into the ceremony space. 

The family acted as bearers, with four grown up children carrying in the coffin. Once in place, each of her four children and the eldest grandchildren went up one at a time to place a flower on the coffin. By this stage, I’m wondering whether I can hold everything together. The ceremony was simple, reflecting the spirituality and the hope of being reunited with loved ones. At the end we were piped out to the tune of 'Amazing Grace'...there is just something so incredibly moving about a lone piper leading the way.

In most cases, this would be the end of the story but the two sons stayed behind, to be with their mum as she was placed in the cremator. Sometimes the courage of the families I meet is just awesome. And as a funeral celebrant, it is a privilege to share such a personal journey.

Today I am mostly pondering the meaning of life, the universe and everything - being a celebrant does get me thinking sometimes!

What Is An Independent Funeral Celebrant?

Today many people are unaffiliated to a religion, but still have their own beliefs. More than ever, families want individual funeral ceremonies and celebration of life events that reflect their values, culture and lifestyle. 

So as an independent funeral celebrant, my role is to help bereaved families create this personal and heart-felt farewell. I'm not limited to any belief / faith system and instead work with families to create an event that reflects the beliefs of the person who has died. 

My approach is to take time to listen, be open to ideas and compose a funeral ceremony that is moving and memorable; a tribute to be cherished always. By involving family members each step of the way (and there are so many ways in which the family can reclaim ownership of the ceremony) it is possible to create a very personal  tribute.

I trained with an organisation called 'Green Fuse', who are passionate, experienced and hugely knowledgable in making any ceremony the best it can be. Click on the link to find out more about Green Fuse celebrants.

As this blog evolves, I'll be looking at some of the options and choices available to families; signposting useful resources, as well as highlighting some inspiring stories. If you have any questions about funerals in England & Wales, do please ask...

Andrew Jackson is an independent funeral celebrant, available in Bristol, Bath and throughout the South West