Funerals and Memorial Ceremonies in North East England
Image: Good Funeral Guide on UnsplashEvery funeral and memorial ceremony I write is different because every person is unique. My goal is to hold a ceremony that pays genuine tribute to the person who has died and brings comfort to those left behind. I specialise in helping people plan for their own funerals and supporting people to arrange funerals in different community venues. I offer funeral and memorial celebrancy in Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham, and am willing to travel further when needed.
“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. ”
Reflecting Your Beliefs in Your Farewell Ceremony
A funeral led by a civil celebrant is typically non-religious. However, to honour the person who has died, I am happy to include their beliefs, whether religious or non-religious. I see my role as being to reflect what was true for them.
A major finding of the 2024 Faith in Funerals report is that many people want elements of faith, spirituality or personal beliefs woven into their civil funeral ceremony. In other words, just because fewer people choose traditional religious services than before, it doesn't always mean they think faith and beliefs have no place in the funeral ceremony.
“Kate thank you for the care, respect and love you brought to the service…. You followed her instructions so well and with so much love. Thank you for creating a space that did a wonderful woman justice”
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 and I am passionate about sharing this information. A funeral ceremony can take place in different inside and outside spaces. In fact, a funeral can be held anywhere that can safely receive the coffin, so long as there is permission from the site / venue owner. Once the ceremony has taken place, the coffin can then be taken to the site where the cremation or burial will take place.
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 ceremony at a crematorium. 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. I can guide you through the many options open to you.
Image: Good Funeral Guide on UnsplashI Want a Ceremony in a Crematorium. Can I Book You as the Celebrant?
Yes. Most civil funerals take place in crematoria and I can hold a funeral ceremony in a crematorium of your choice.
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. Not all crematoria offer the same length of time for a ceremony. If you are concerned that the ceremony time in your crematorium may be too short, you also have the option of requesting and 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.
Image: Good Funeral Guide on UnsplashCan I Book you as the Funeral Celebrant for a Natural Burial?
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 assure you we can do this in a way that does not need to be morbid. There are real life-affirming moments in this process.
Are you Interested in a Living Funeral?
A living funeral is a ceremony held during a person's lifetime, towards the end of life. The purpose of a living funeral is to enable people to celebrate their own life and say goodbye to the people that matter most to them/ This is a profound and deeply personal ceremony and I approach it with the utmost sensitivity.
If you have a life limiting or terminal illness and want to see the people most important to you while you are still alive, I can support you with a living funeral. I understand that a living funeral is time sensitive as you will want to hold the ceremony when you feel well enough to interact with others. If you are not sure what you want, I will work closely with you to explore options.
As your celebrant, my main focus is on your ceremony. However, I am very willing to provide information on where to get further support, such as for death planning and other aspects of death care.
Book Directly with Kate
Something that sets me apart from many funeral celebrants is that I promote my services directly to the public, rather than marketing to funeral directors. This matters because I believe people should have the freedom to choose their own celebrant and not all funeral directors routinely offer that choice.
This means you can contact me directly to book, without going through a funeral director. You're also welcome to ask your funeral director to book me on your behalf. I'm happy to work alongside them. Either way, I will always be working for you and your family, not for the funeral director.
“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.”
Memorial Services and Celebrations of Life
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.
Ash Scattering or Burial
You may like to consider an ash scattering or burial ceremony when the ashes of the person who died have been returned following cremation.
The ceremony involves scattering or burying your person’s ashes in a special place. Most people choose a place associated with happy memories or special event. It may be that the person who died left instructions on where their ashes were to be scattered or buried. It is comforting to think that a place they have chosen will be the last place for their remains to lay.
Holding a ceremony for the ashes my feel particularly important after an unattended cremation, often called direct cremation. This option would allow family and friends to collectively honour the life of the person who died. Indeed, it is possible to combine an ash scattering or burial with a memorial service. I can help you work out what is possible so you can decide what you want.
Eulogy Writing Service
Have you decided to hold a funeral without a celebrant, but you're struggling to find the right words? Grief and the practicalities of bereavement make writing a eulogy genuinely difficult. I offer a eulogy writing service, available to families anywhere in the world via online meeting.
We'll talk through your loved one's life, personality and the memories that matter most — and I'll shape those into a eulogy that does them justice. This service is entirely separate from my celebrancy and can be used whether or not I am conducting the ceremony.
What are the Prices for Funerals and Memorial Services?
I believe in being transparent about costs. Here is a guide to my funeral and memorial ceremony fees.
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 About Your Funeral or Memorial Enquiry
If you would like to talk about a funeral, memorial service, living funeral or eulogy, please get in touch. There is no obligation and I am happy to have an initial conversation at whatever pace feels right for you. I serve families across North East England, including Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham.
