Funerals
Helping you honour the life of your loved one with a celebrant-led funeral across Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.
Honour your person
As a funeral celebrant, I am here to help create a personalised ceremony most befitting your loved one. My gentle and compassionate approach will allow you to feel supported during a difficult time.
You may have chosen to hold the ceremony in a crematorium as this feels the best way to honour your person. You may have opted for a cemetery or woodland burial. I regularly officiate funerals in crematoria and cemetery / woodland burial sites having created a personalised ceremony for the family I am working with. I am ready to do this for you.
You may already know what you would like to include and need someone to bring it all together. You may need an idea of where to start. This is where I come in - I can help you choose words and music which reflect the life, personality and values of your person. I can tell their story and help you say goodbye.
You have choices
I am not a religious minister or affiliated with any religion but recognise that a hymn or prayer can often bring comfort. If you would like to include something religious, this can be accommodated.
And if a crematorium funeral doesn’t feel quite right, there are alternatives. You can hold a funeral or celebration of life anywhere and I am experienced in helping families create ceremonies for an alternative setting.
Moving the ceremony to another venue sets a different tone. It can enable you to say goodbye in an even more unique and personal way. Most importantly, it can be unrushed and more personalised.
You can hold a celebration of life at a place of significance such as a community centre, village hall, country house, garden or even a pub.
I have helped families say farewell to loved ones in music venues, barns and social clubs.
Guiding you through
If you have only ever experienced traditional funerals, it can feel a bit daunting when looking at the alternatives so do get in touch for some guidance. I can talk you through some options and recommend funeral directors.
I can support family members and friends who would like to speak and we can look at other additions. Do you want to incorporate some musical performances or symbolic rituals? I can help facilitate this.
Remember your loved one how they would want to be remembered. Weave in elements that reflect their personality and their approach to life. With a celebrant-led ceremony, there are no restrictions.
You'll experience a safe place in which to grieve and your person will be at the centre of every element of the ceremony.
Price available on enquiry and will include:
- Planning meeting with the next-of-kin in person, online or over the phone.
- Ceremony script written for your approval plus revisions to ensure that it is a perfect reflection of your loved one.
- Liaison with funeral directors and venue/crematorium/burial site.
- Early arrival at the venue.
- Delivery of the ceremony.
Symbolic rituals can be added to the ceremony; there are many traditional and non-traditional rituals to choose from and we can even create a completely original ritual - something which will hold a special significance for your loved one.
Mileage is charged at 45p per mile unless the ceremony is in the centre of Bristol. There is no mileage to pay in this instance. You will receive a quote before you book.
What the next-of-kin say
Gary Baseley
February 2024
“Sam was absolutely wonderful from the initial phone call through to the funeral, her planning, research and delivery of the service was kind, thoughtful and professional. I simply cannot fault her and would highly recommend her. We were all very happy with the ceremony and couldn't have asked for better. Mum is sending copies of the script to our relatives in Australia. Thank you for everything you did to make Dad's funeral as good as it could be.”
Mike Marsh
May 2024
“Hi Sam, myself and our family would like to send our sincere thanks for your help in the preparation and delivery of the service for our father Maurice Marsh yesterday. You delivered the service and eulogy with super timing and conveyed it in a very professional and balanced emotional way - we are very thankful.”
Heather Williams
August 2024
“Sam’s delivery was perfect. Warm, calming and comforting. Her voice has a beautiful tone and her choice of words were just right. She was kind and easy to communicate with and incredibly supportive at such a difficult time. I would highly recommend her.”
Elspeth Crowley
December 2024
“It was such a blessing that we were introduced to you. You are exceptional in your intuition, clarity, open heart and mind, intelligence, culture, high standards of professionalism, integrity and compassion. The confidence, friendship, warmth, dignity and reassurance in your voice and manner held us all the way through and we will always be grateful.”
Neil Maitland
February 2025
“Just wanted to thank you again for doing such an amazing job for Dad's service today. We would have really struggled without you and it turned into the perfect send off for him! Thank you again.”
Paul and Debra Hemsley
February 2025
“We would both highly recommend Sam as a Celebrant. Her calm manner and insightful interpretation show what a great skill she has. Many of the large number of mourners expressed to us their appreciation of how well she captured the character of the young woman that they knew and loved.”
Steve Adams
August 2025
"Thanks again Sam. Your help with the service was really important to us yesterday - made us feel at easy and looked after along with Terry. Your words were spot on too and really made the event as uplifting and celebratory as it could be."
Caroline Kilby
September 2025
Thank you for being the celebrant for Pat's funeral. I was really pleased with how it went and it was a long way from how I was feeling when we spoke on the telephone that first time when I had gone to Canford Crematorium to look at the chapel. You paved the way for us to have a ceremony that reflected him and that was all we wanted. Many, many thanks.