Kris the Celebrant

15/06/2026

Introducing Forever in Stones

A different way to remember them.

These memorial stones are created from cremated remains.

I love the tactile and portable nature of these smooth, natural and long lasting pebbles that can be held, kept close or placed somewhere meaningful.

An inventive solution for families who are struggling to agree on what to do with ashes or in situations where multiple locations are being considered.

Contact Kris the Celebrant to find out more.

13/06/2026

Not everyone's idea of a great day out, but spending yesterday at the NFE (National Funeral Expo) was a chance to properly catch up with some of the amazing friends that I made on The Celebrant training course last year.
It can be difficult talking about death and dying all the time, so to be in this environment amongst like minded people where real conversations happen and to meet other funeral industry professionals (sometimes described as the 4th emergency service) is necessary and a good reminder of why we do the work we do.
As families look for more bespoke and innovative ways to celebrate their loved ones' passing, expect more posts from me about the ways in which you can commemorate your person and how to pay tribute to their life.

08/06/2026

From September 2026 bereavement education will become a mandatory part of the National curriculum in primary and secondary schools. The aim is to equip young people with emotional vocabulary and life skills to comprehend death and grief.

Every 20 minutes in the UK, a parent dies leaving dependent children.

We learn how life begins in school, and this initiative will help educate children on how to deal with the emotions associated with death and loss, resulting in a more compassionate, kinder and aware society.

05/06/2026

This feels like a good time to explain why you might choose a Celebrant led Funeral.

A big part of being an Independent Celebrant is to provide emotional support to families who have experienced a loss.

My first appointment with a family often takes place face to face or on zoom a few days after their bereavement.

This is an opportunity for them to share their stories about their person.

We talk about their person's life in great detail, to create a tribute that reflects their unique contribution to the world, their achievements, their challenges, what were their passions, beliefs, values and wishes?
Key relationships, careers & childhood memories will all be part of this conversation.

After that first meeting I will help draft a eulogy which contains all of the information that made that person so unique, getting to the very essence of them as an indivudual.

I check details with the family for accuracy and ensure we have the right tone for the service they want to create.

I work with the Funeral Directors to organise an order of service and help the family with music and poetry choices, as well as any visual tributes, readings and personal touches they wish to include.

It is always an honour to work with families in this way, to create a meaningful and personalized send off can really help with the healing process.

If you or soneone you know has experienced a recent loss, I would love to work with you. Kris the Celebrant

01/06/2026

Having spent time in Manchester at the weekend we were lucky enough to see The Lowry Exhibition. I was struck by his painting "The Funeral Party" which depicts the man on the right of the image being treated as an outcast for wearing a red tie and boots to a funeral. Thankfully customs have changed since the 1950s and people can choose a more relaxed approach without fear of restrictions or judgement when it comes to planning a funeral.

25/05/2026

On friday I took time out to attend a Masterclass on death and dying from a human perspective.
I came away feeling highly informed and much more prepared both personally and professionally about the dying process and what it looks like in real terms.
This 7 hour training went into great detail about how the body prepares to die and the changes that occur.
I am grateful to Katie Costello - End of Life Support Services and my fellow students for their willingness to share their personal stories so openly and I came away feeling much more confident about approaching the difficult conversations that are so important when thinking about end of life choices.
Take a look at Katie's website to find out about the services she offers and how she can help you.

22/05/2026

I enjoyed the surroundings of the Roffey Park Institute today attending Katie Costello - End of Life Support Services masterclass - Dying for a cuppa. This 1 day workshop is aimed at normalising open conversations about death and dying for anyone wanting to better understand the dying process in order to support others.

18/05/2026

There are lots of creative and beautiful ways to remember your loved ones. Honeybourne Jewellery can incorporate ashes into their pieces to be worn with love, close to the heart.
All pieces are handmade to order in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
Take a look at their Remembrance jewellery range by clicking on the link above and visiting their website.

15/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B8VEUMSGv/
A humorous look at the way Direct Cremations are advertised.
There are a lot of choices when it comes to saying goodbye and direct cremations have gained a lot of traction lately.
If this is something you or a family member are considering, please do your research.
There are vast differences between organisations in terms of what they offer and how they care for your loved ones.
A good funeral directors will be able to guide you or you can talk things through with a funeral industry professional like me to understand more about how to make an informed decision based on your preferences.

08/05/2026