I have been working as a professional funeral celebrant since 2019.
I was trained by Neil Dorward, a “pioneer” of the celebrant movement in Scotland. I continue to develop my skills and knowledge through relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
I am a member of the Scottish Independent Celebrant Association (SICA) and have served as a committee member and then as Chair for two years.
SICA membership includes CPD, peer support, and insurance cover (public liability and professional indemnity). It also requires me to be PVG/Disclosure Scotland checked.
I hold an MSc in End of Life Studies (with Distinction) from the University of Glasgow.
I live in Broughty Ferry and have experience working at local crematoriums and cemeteries including natural burial grounds. I have also worked in other parts of Scotland and England and conducted online memorial ceremonies during the pandemic.
I am skilled at working with families and at quickly finding out what they want in terms of style and content. I base my ceremonies fully on their wishes, albeit informed by my experience. My aim is to make the process as straightforward as possible for both the family and the funeral director.
I do not use AI or questionnaires or templates to prepare my scripts.
My own style might be described as direct and no frills. I rarely do long “sermons” unless asked. I am not religious but am open to including religious and or spiritual elements. I hold a strong belief in the power of words to channel and hold emotion and I am skilled at being a “voice for the family”.
For me, “family” includes close friends and chosen family.
I pride myself on my ability to vary the pace and pitch of my delivery and I always know the script well enough to ensure that I make eye contact throughout the ceremony. When appropriate I have excellent comic timing and I believe that most funerals will include moments of light and shade. I am good at sourcing and reciting poems and other readings but I try not to be “the performer” – funerals are not about the celebrant.
My fees are in line with typical fees for funeral celebrants in Scotland.
I do conduct other sorts of ceremony but my principal focus will always be end of life.
Finally, I see the funeral director and celebrant as part of the same professional team. I will keep you informed, respect your relationship with the family, and make sure that practical details and any special requests are communicated clearly and in good time. I always send my script to the funeral director in advance so that in the event of my being unavoidably delayed, you have all the words and running order. And I always make a cue sheet for the funeral director or crematorium staff detailing music and any special arrangements.
