Funerals & Memorials

Alison Ann
FUNERAL CELEBRANT
I can only praise her; not only for her professionalism, compassion, knowledge & kindness but for her honest, caring and thoughtful manner. She would always be on hand to offer a listening ear, not only to the family's worries or concerns, but also any that we as Funeral Directors may have had.
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Nancy Bowers - Funeral Arranger
Qualifications
(NOCN) Level 3 Diploma
in Funeral Celebrancy (RQF).
(NOCN) Level 4 Award in
Creating and Conducting
Children & Baby Funerals.
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Alison has adopted
The Celebrant Accord.
This defines the attributes & skills required of an excellent funeral celebrant and
is intended to set the standards by which all celebrants offering funeral services should be measured.
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Alison has 5star reviews on
The Celebrant Directory.

Affiliations
Alison is a full member of
The Assoc. of Independent Celebrants and a supporter of
The Good Funeral Guild and
The Natural Death Centre.
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Alison fundraises for
The Child Funeral Charity.
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She is passionate about supporting and empowering families in
making informed choices
when planning a funeral service.


Planning the Service.
Initially, I will reach out and introduce myself to you and arrange a convenient time to meet.
I will explain the process of
creating a service and give as little or as much advice as required.
I will document the life of the person who has died, write a befitting eulogy for your approval and weave your wishes and beliefs into a highly-personalised
and meaningful funeral ceremony.
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I will ensure that
family and friends who wish to contribute feel supported.
I can step in, should the need arise.
I will facilitate your choice of music
and discuss any symbolic rituals
that may enhance the service.
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A Good Funeral
The ceremonies I create are infused with love, great care and genuine emotion.
The content is completely your choice.
That's why I LOVE a Civil Ceremony.
A civil ceremony is a non- religious ceremony, but unlike a humanist ceremony, I am able to include religious content, should you wish me to.
Post Covid? I'll even lead the hymns.
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I believe in empowering my families to make unique choices for their service.
There are no 'rights or wrongs'.
Only what is right for your family.
I'm here to facilitate your needs.
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I also offer a range of
bespoke services to my families as a way of keeping costs to a minimum.
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On the Day.
Meticulous in my planning,
I work directly with you, or
alongside your funeral director,
to ensure that every last detail
of the ceremony is executed perfectly.
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I always go the extra mile to
ensure that you feel in safe hands.
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Following the service, I will create
a keepsake copy of the ceremony.
I will also email you a pdf copy to
share with family and friends.
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Being an excellent celebrant is
having the ability to actively
listen to the needs of my family and adjust the service I offer to best
facilitate their needs leading up to,
and on, the day.
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A Celebration of Life
Throughout 2020, as a result of the pandemic,
funerals have been limited to small congregations.
A memorial provides the opportunity to arrange
a more elaborate celebration of life,
perhaps when we're able to hug one another?
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When celebrating the life of a person who had a significant presence within their community, such as
a school teacher, college professor or a celebrity,
a more elaborate celebration may be appropriate,
in order to cater for a larger group of people.
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Alison can help you make all the necessary arrangements, offering as much or as little guidance as needed. She can conduct the entire service
or act more as a Master of Ceremonies being the thread that weaves the personal contributions of family and friends together.


What are my options?
"They’re more than just ashes
and they deserve a fitting destination."
The Good Funeral Guide
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When the person you've loved and lost is cremated, some miss the opportunity of having a place of significance to visit and reconnect with that person.
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There are so many choices available to you and each is a highly personal one that can be discussed with close family members.
It is common to have widely differing views on the subject.
It is possible to have ashes made into a pendant or wind chime.
Your choices are as wide & as varied as your imagination allows.
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When the time is right, I can help you create a brief ceremony to acknowledge this part of your journey. It is often a comfort to have the celebrant who conducted the funeral to be beside you at this final farewell.
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I created a brief ceremony at this beautiful location and laid the ashes into the water, where they were taken out to sea, along with the flowers that were scattered with love.
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"I cannot imagine your pain."
. . . because I am not walking in your shoes.
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What I can do is offer you my heart, my empathy
and a promise to support you through the process
of arranging a meaningful funeral ceremony for your child.
Working closely with bereaved parents is a role I am
particularly passionate about. I have achieved an additional qualification in this delicate area of celebrancy.
(NOCN) Level 4 Diploma in Baby & Children Funerals (RVQ).
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I will be present to gently guide and support
you in making choices that serve your family,
dedicated to writing and conducting a ceremony
that I hope, will provide some small comfort
and a safe place for you to acknowledge your grief.
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There are several relevant organisations
I can to recommend to families who have
suffered a bereavement of this nature.
