Funerals and Memorial Services in Tyne and Wear
A Personalised and Comforting Farewell Ceremony
If you are looking for a funeral and memorials celebrant in North East England to:
listen deeply to understand the wishes of the person who died
do all possible to meet those wishes
write and deliver a ceremony that truly captures the essence of the person
I may be the right celebrant for you.
Every funeral and memorial ceremony I write is different. It must be, because every person is unique. My goal is to hold ceremony that pays tribute to the person who died and brings comfort to the living. Instead of prioritising my preferences, I focus on what is feels right for the people at the heart of the ceremony.
A civil ceremony is usually non-religious. Research in the 2024 Report, Faith in Funerals, found that more people are choosing celebrant led funerals over traditional religious services. However, many still want faith included in their celebrant led ceremony. As I am committed to honouring the person who died, I am happy for their spiritual or religious beliefs to represented in the ceremony, if that is what they wanted.
“Kate was the celebrant for the service we held to remember our mum. She was wonderful - her guidance was supportive and gentle when we needed it. She brought her experience and her ideas which we hadn’t considered, and helped us make the service exactly how we wanted it to be. ”
Frequently Asked Questions about Planning a Civil Funeral
I Don’t Want a Crematorium Funeral. Can I Choose Somewhere Else?
Absolutely, yes! I find most people don’t know this. A funeral ceremony can take place in different inside and outside spaces. A funeral can be held wherever it is safe to bring a coffin and where there is permission from the site / venue owner. I am passionate about promoting funeral choices which makes me want to shout about this (or write in bold letters).
Whether you choose a sports club, a social club, a barn, the village hall, a function room or outside space at a hotel is entirely up to you. Knowing this allows you to choose a venue with meaning. This option takes away the stress of having to rush through a cremation service. I can say from experience that having more time for the ceremony sets the tone for a more personalised experience.
Booking a venue for the ceremony may well be less expensive as you can usually hold the ceremony and wake in the same space. Please tell me when you book me if you want me to help you find a funeral venue.
The burial or cremation after the ceremony can either include all mourners or be held in private. I can guide you through the many options open to you.
I Want a Crematorium Funeral. Can I Book You as the Celebrant?
Yes, I can hold a funeral ceremony in a crematorium, which is where most civil funerals take place.
People tend to book the crematorium closest to them. However, you are free to choose a crematorium in a different local authority area. This may help if you need a larger venue, public transport links, or a longer time slot as standard. Not all crematoria offer the same length of time for a ceremony. If you are concerned that the ceremony time is too short, you also have the option of paying for a double slot.
In weeks or months following a cremation, you may want a simple ceremony to scatter or bury your loved one’s ashes in a special place. I can help with that.
Can I Book you for a Natural Burial Funeral Ceremony?
Yes, indeed. Natural burial is more environmentally friendly than conventional burial and cremation. Natural burial is not a widely known funeral option, which is unfortunate. Natural burial grounds are usually in woodland or meadow settings, beautiful places for loved ones to visit through the years.
Some natural burial grounds have facilities to hold ceremonies indoors, while others do not. It is also worth knowing that not all woodland burial sites follow natural burial practices. A charity called the Natural Death Centre has information on natural burial grounds. Please see the section of this website on social purpose .
I am very happy to provide information on North East natural burial sites, though I also encourage you contact each site directly. With natural burial it really helps to plan ahead.
Can You Help Me to Arrange my Funeral Ceremony in Advance?
Yes, I specialise in working with people to plan their own funeral ceremony. Planning your own funeral spares your loved ones the anguish of having to guess what you would have wanted. I can support you to choose the option that feels right for you and your loved ones.
I promise you we can do this in a way that does not need to be morbid. There are real life-affirming moments in this process.
I am Thinking about a Living Funeral? Can you Do This?
Yes. If you have a life limiting or terminal illness and want to see the people that are important to you while you are still alive, I can support you with a living funeral.
I understand that a living funeral is a time sensitive and that you are likely to want the ceremony while you still feel well enough to enjoy the company of others. We can plan for your living funeral to be fully scripted or have more of an open structure. If you are not sure what you want, I will help you figure it out. By working together we will get the tone that feels right for you.
As a celebrant, my main focus is on your ceremony. I am happy to give you information on people who can support further needs, such as death planning and aspects of death care. Let’s talk.
How to Book Kate for a Funeral
If you would like me to be your funeral celebrant, the best option is to contact me directly. Or, if you prefer, you can instruct your funeral director to book me, if you have one.
It is important that you either contact me or ask your funeral director to book me, as I don’t market my services directly to funeral directors. However, you may be assured I will work with the funeral director while working directly for you.
“Kate was warm and sympathetic. She welcomed family and friends’ participation in the service, and so as well as tears, there were laughs and lovely shared memories. Can’t recommend highly enough.”
Creating a Meaningful Memorial Service with You
If a private funeral or unattended cremation has taken place, family members and friends may want to organise a memorial service or celebration of life in the days or weeks that follow.
With ample time to celebrate a person’s life and legacy, a memorial service can be a beautiful way to bring comfort to family, friends and the wider community. Every memorial service is different and there are many choices around format and structure. It would be my honour to develop memorial service ideas with you and create a meaningful celebration of life ceremony together.
A memorial service can be held anywhere that people gather - a function room at a hotel, community centre, social club or sports club. It can especially lovely to be able gather somewhere meaningful to the person being remembered. I am happy to discuss ideas with you when you book me for a ceremony. Feel free to contact me before you book a venue.
Helping You to Write a Eulogy
Have you decided to hold a funeral or memorial service without a celebrant present? Are you struggling to find the right words for your loved one’s eulogy? It can be especially difficult to organise your words when you are grieving and busy making the arrangements need. I can help.
I offer a eulogy writing service which you can make use of from anywhere in the world. During an online meeting I help you call to mind special memories with your loved one and the characteristics that make this person unique. I will then craft a heartfelt eulogy capturing the person you love and know so well.
Writing a eulogy for a loved one can be difficult, precisely because you know so much about them. I will take the essence of what you tell me about their life, achievements and personality. I will use words that are natural to you, giving you confidence when you read it aloud.
What are the Prices for Funerals and Memorial Services?
Funerals
It would be a privilege to hold space for a unique, personalised funeral ceremony for you when the time comes, or for your loved one. I will listen attentively to your wishes and provide helpful guidance about what is possible. I will plan and deliver an inclusive ceremony that reflects with the values and identity of the person who has died.
A funeral ceremony starting from £250 includes:
A planning meeting with you before the ceremony (face to face or online)
A bespoke ceremony script, including personalised readings and music
A eulogy to honour your / your loved one’s life
Communication throughout the preparation phase by telephone, email or WhatsApp
Revisions and changes whilst preparing the script
Liaison with the Funeral Director to coordinate the ceremony
Travel within thirty miles of South Shields. Additional fees are charged for longer distances, either at 45 pence per mile or the cost of public transport used.
Variations to Charges: Double time slot at crematorium: £275; Double funeral for two people: £350
If I am working with you to plan your funeral in advance, or arrange a funeral in a venue outside of a crematorium, there may need to be additional charges. Examples include repeated script revisions over time or going to visit venues on your behalf. This is something we can discuss and agree as we go. Similarly, living funerals are priced according to your specific requirements.
Other Ceremonies and Services
Memorial services are priced according to your specific requirements with a starting price of £250
Burial or scattering of ashes, if I was the funeral celebrant, starting from £50.
Burial or scattering of ashes, if I was not the funeral celebrant, starting from £250
Eulogy writing service starting from £120
Message Kate with a Funeral or Memorial Service Enquiry
Would you like to talk about any of the services I offer for funerals and memorial ceremonies? You are welcome to message me here or through social media and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
