Hi, my name is Diane and I am proud to be a member of the UK Society of Celebrants.
I trained as a Counsellor at Salford University and went on to become a volunteer at my local Victim Support; offering emotional and practical support to those bereaved by murder. I was extremely privileged to train alongside Greater Manchester Police Force’s Family Liaison Officers gaining an incredible understanding of the effects of bereavement on different people and age groups, including children.

I feel comfortable helping people in these sad and sometimes tragic circumstances and decided that this is what I should be working. After much research I enrolled on and attended the inspirational training offered at UKSoC, leaving me incredibly well equipped to begin working with families making funeral arrangements for their loved ones, including dealing with ceremonies for babies and children.

Like many of us, I have attended funerals, both religious and non-religious, where the person conducting the service didn’t really capture the essence of the person who had died, which left us feeling it was ‘just another funeral’. Becoming a celebrant means I can help families celebrate not only with love and respect but with love and laughter too, sharing cherished moments and memories.

Ceremonies can take place in a wide range of venues a woodland glade, as well as the more traditional crematorium and burial ground. Woodland burial also referred to a natural or green burial is becoming more popular within the UK. Families that choose this kind of grave for their loved one find it soothing to be somewhere natural.

Like many of us, I have attended funerals, both religious and non-religious, where the person conducting the service didn’t really capture the essence of the person who had died and left us feeling it was ‘just another funeral’. Becoming a celebrant means I can help families celebrate not only with love and respect but with laughter too, sharing cherished memories and moments.

I’ll come and meet you at your home, we'll chat about your loved one and create a personal ceremony which is as unique and individual as the person you are remembering. We’ll talk about are who’s who within your family circle, your loved one’s early life, education, employment, achievements, hobbies and habits, good & bad! I'll liaise with your Funeral Director and help you to find poetry, readings, music and other personal touches.

After our meeting I’ll create a draft of the ceremony for you to check. If anything needs changing I’ll make sure that it’s done so that you can be confident the ceremony on the day is the one you are expecting.

The death of a loved one is an emotional time and it is my privilege to help and support you ensuring you have a stress-free ceremony you will remember with love and laughter too.