Lives Celebrated - Mansfield funeral and wedding celebrant Wayne Swiffin

04/09/2026

After leading a couple of services in Mansfield earlier today, went over to the new Roseland Park & Crematorium at Shirebrook which had its official opening today.

And I got a picture of Shirebrook and Bolsover MP Natalie Fleet MP with Andrew Smith, the manager of the new site.

03/09/2026

In my latest initiative to support local businesses and people, meet Steve.

You could say, he has flare.

Steve runs Flare Print Studio, which is located in West Gate, Mansfield, a stone’s throw from my house.

(It would have to be a bloody good throw but you get the idea).

Anyway, Steve is a good egg.

I popped into Flare yesterday to collect my new business cards and flyers.

I had designed them (cos I can), and Steve printed them (cos he can - he can design too by the way).

Steve has also previously printed me some Orders of Service for funerals, some certificates for a wedding, and he has printed business cards for Bereavement Cafe Mansfield.

Always printed on time, and at a good price too.

If you need printed stuff, I can recommend him.

Steve isn’t one for photos but I used my charm and got him to pose for a photo.

02/09/2026

Piper for funerals (and other events)

I went to a book launch the other day that was organised by my friend Elizabeth McLafferty, a lady who will be known to many locally as she is a super photographer at Elizabeth Orridge Photography.

Anyway, after talking about her book (which is to raise funds for her Little Dream Bug project) she said that if I ever needed a person to play the bagpipes at a funeral service, then her dad is just the chap.

Her dad is Pipe Major Bob Orridge of the Seaforth Highlanders Notts.

Mansfield born and bred, Bob is a former police officer, having served across Nottinghamshire in his 30 years with the force.

He told me that he got into playing the bagpipes at the age of 11 because a friend of his dad's was in a band that was looking to recruit new members.

He has since entered competitions and played all over the world, including in places such as New York, France, and Germany.

But he says he gets the most pleasure from teaching others how to play the bagpipes.

And, he is now in charge of the band he started with, and it still rehearses at the Verney in Pleasley (where the little Bob first picked up the instrument all those years ago).

People who would like to talk to Bob about using his services at funerals, weddings, and other ceremonial events, should call him on 07989 761170.

The picture is of Bob in his full regalia at an event at Edinburgh Castle.

26/08/2026

It’s a very touching moment when a family rings you a few days after a service to thank you for your help and guidance, and for leading a service that truly reflected who their loved one was.

To take a few moments out of their day, at a time when they are grieving, is exceptionally thoughtful.

21/08/2026

I had this through the letterbox yesterday, from Brighter Mansfield, which is based at the Ladybrook Community Centre in Mansfield.

It’s a Grief and Loss Group and it meets at the centre on the second Monday of the month between 1pm and 3pm.

There is a cost to this meeting, and it’s £4 (which includes unlimited drinks).

It might be useful for you, or someone you know.

18/08/2026

When I am not being a celebrant, or wearing my PR and marketing hat, I am rather partial to learning about local history.

To me, it is fascinating. It may be history, but history shapes who we are and shapes our environment.

And so as I was walking into town earleir today, along a road I have walked down many times, I noticed for the first time a particular ghost sign.

A ghost sign is an old advertising sign that has been left in situ even though it may no longer have a great deal of relevance.

Today's sign was on the top floor of premises that abut the maket place and show that the premises acted as an agent for Peterson's Patent and Special Pipes.

A Google search tells me that Peterson's are still going.

Both my grandads, now long gone but fondly remembered, smoked pipes, and I can still in some way recall the waft of St Bruno as they lit up.

You don't see many people smoking pipes these days - that said, when I went to watch some bowling the other day, a chap there had a rather fine pipe and was indeed smoking.

The sign in the photo may not be relevant to many people, but it does offer a snapshot into the past.

06/08/2026

Choices.

I led a service the other day for a family who couldn't let a loved one depart on her final journey without some sort of goodbye.

A direct cremation fulfilled the lady's wishes, but the family chose to hold a very, very short service the day before.

It was the shortest service I have led.

Information was limited, life details scant.

There weren't the more usual elements of a full funeral service.

But every word (including a very sweary word used as a term of endearment) meant something.

The humour, and timing of it, was personal.

The small touches from the funeral directors made it special.

Just because the service wasn't traditional didn't make it any less meangingful.

Just because the service was in the chapel of the funeral directors didn't make it any less important.

As I always say, services are about the person who has passed away, but are for those left left behind, particularly those who feel they must say their goodbyes.

When it comes to funeral services, you have choices.

If a loved one of yours has passed away, speak to the funeral directors and arrangers, as most will want the funeral to be as personal as possible.

They will listen to your requests. They will ensure that meaningful goodbyes happen.

When it come to funeral services, you have choices.

I am more than happy to help advise anybody, so feel free to drop me a message on Facebook or ping me a message on WhatsApp - 07854 689914.

Wayne Swiffin

Funeral Celebrant
Email: [email protected]

28/07/2026

This is horrendous reading.

What those families must be going through is unthinkable.

The former funeral director previously admitted 67 offences, including 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial.

24/07/2026

It’s Friday and Cooper the office dog is on the office chair.

I say office dog - it’s rare that he comes in, especially if Mrs S is home. I am the spare human.

Anyway, Little Hippocrates and Zeus the Big Head (wearing the same bow tie I wore when I got married in 1997) are looking out of the window.

Mansfield is certainly a far cry from their Ancient Greek roots.

21/07/2026

As I prepare to lead a funeral service later today, I’m thinking about my own mum who died back in July 2011.

Me mum would have been 84 today.

She should still have been pottering about in the garden, going out into Manchester of an evening, or seeing friends with me dad.

But, fate has a way of intervening.

So, live your life. You never bloody know what’s going to happen.