Ross McMurdo Independent Celebrant

14/08/2026

So today I attended my third funeral of the week. But today I wasn’t the celebrant delivering the service for one of my lovely families, I was attending the funeral of a very dear friend of mine!

It was devastating to get the news that Neil had passed unexpectedly on 21st July and I will be honest, it has really impacted on my own mental well-being.

To lose someone who I respected and found to be a man of high integrity and honesty has been a huge shock to the system.

I have learned much about myself and the grieving process over the last three weeks. Today was tough and to listen to Neil’s 2 sons give such a beautiful eulogy to their dad was so moving!!! My wife and I had to share my hanky!

Being a mourner today has given me deeper insight into the feelings and emotions that those left behind go through and makes me want to be even better at giving every family that I write and conduct services for and the loved one who they have lost the perfect service and words as they embark on their next chapter.

Rest in Peace Neil.
I will forever miss you and think of you my dear friend. Gone far too soon.
😢❤️😢❤️

25/07/2026

What an enjoyable ceremony to write and conduct!

It has been an absolute honour and privilege to deliver today’s ceremony with Allicia and Dominique!

They look absolutely stunning!

I wish them all the very best in their life together with their lovely children and the gorgeous Nila-Grey, their beautiful Shar Pei dog, who attended today’s ceremony!

Thank you both for giving me the opportunity, it was a pleasure ladies! ❤️❤️❤️

25/07/2026

Big shout out to our Steel Drums genius tiday, Callum! Fantastic! 👋

25/07/2026

Our music magicians today, Adrien and Marlon. 👍👍👍

25/07/2026

We’re getting close now! Alicia and Dominique have worked so hard!
❤️

25/07/2026

11/07/2026

I’ve just had a pre-wedding ceremony meeting with the lovely Allicia and Dominique and their daughter at the venue in Didsbury, Manchester.

I am really looking forward to conducting their open-air ceremony on 25th July. They’ve got lots of exciting things planned for the day which will make for a truly memorable day! Here’s hoping that the sun continues to shine on them! 🤞🤞🤞

Thank you both for putting your faith in me to provide a personalised ceremony that you will remember forever. It is an honour and a privilege to be you chosen celebrant.
❤️❤️❤️

06/07/2026

The last few days have been examples of how our life journey can be one of extremes.

On Friday, I conducted a Celebration of Life for a much- loved gentleman from Preston on behalf of his lovely family.

Then on Saturday we attended a wedding for my wife’s cousin and his wife to be in lovely surroundings.

It was a lovely day of celebration which was conducted by a fellow celebrant (I tried not to give her marks out of 10! 🤣) Included in the ceremony was a handfasting ritual and a naming ceremony for their lovely toddler.

On reflection, the weekend really did make me think about our life journey and how we can be celebrating the joy of a couple coming together and also celebrating a new life one minute and the next saying farewell to a dearly cherished loved one.

In both cases, this is what makes my role as a celebrant so important and an absolute privilege!
❤️❤️❤️

14/05/2026

Had a very relaxed evening at Clitheroe Beer Festival opening night tonight as a sponsor of the event and a beer, Kaleidoscope IPA by Lancaster Brewery.

The festival is running from 14-17th May. It’s a great beer festival with over 70 beers and cider as well as gins on offer! Live music on Friday and Saturday too.

Sadly, I can’t attend over the weekend as I will be at Wembley cheering City on v Chelsea in the FA Cu Final on Saturday! 🤞🤞🤞