Independent Funeral Celebrancy

I have reached that age here attendance at funerals has become a regular event several times a year. My first funeral, however, was that of my ‘gaga’ (Welsh maternal grandfather) at the age 0f 12 years; followed less than twelve months later by that of my father. Two funerals from the same household inside a year! There seems to have been a steady flow since then.

For many years now, I have found funerals to be distressing, full of sadness, solemn and short of any real form of celebration of the deceased’s life and achievements. Moreover, they seem, invariably, to lack any active or participative involvement from the mourners attending – leaving them in a sedentary and obedient role throughout the service.

In addition, the brief and prescribed format of the customary crematorium funeral service leaves ministers and celebrants with the enormous challenge of personalising the experience and adding a meaningful flavour.

Funeral Celebrancy is a recent development for me, but one that I intend to embrace with passion, care, humility, kindness and compassionate competence. I see the purpose of this role as twofold – to help the deceased’s family and loved ones create a funeral service of love, respect, meaning, celebration, and according to the wishes of the deceased; and, then, to deliver this service in an eloquent, sincere and warm manner.

What, then, will I bring to this role, you may ask?

Well, I will be drawing from the following experiences, roles and aspects:

1 – 31 Year career as a Grief Specialist – counsellor, trainer & conference speaker

2 – writer, poet, academic and poet

3 – trainer, presenter, conference & public speaker, and podcaster

4 – owner of an appropriate large collection of texts, extracts, readings and quotes

As you start to consider the funeral arrangements for your loved one, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you feel I can be of service to you or you’d simply like to have a chat about your own  personal loss and unique situation.

You can contact me on either 07903 239 983 or email me at hello@neilhcampbell.co.uk

The initial one-hour consultation meeting is free, and I am more than happy to welcome you to my office in Gateshead, come to your residence or meet at a suitable alternative venue.