Independent Funeral Celebrant in West Sussex
I’m Jane Stoggles and I’m an independent funeral celebrant in West Sussex, but happy to travel to East Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.
Types of ceremonies and suitable venues
Funerals/ celebrations of life at crematoria, natural burial grounds and alternative venues.
My wish for you.
Being an independent funeral celebrant, I can help to create a very special ceremony which will reflect the wishes of the deceased, and the expectations of those attending. Just as each life is unique, so is each ceremony, and I am here to help you to express the character and achievements you wish to communicate in a clear, dignified way. The last thing we can all do for our loved ones is to offer them the send-off which they deserve and it is my privilege to be a part of this process.
What has led me here.
After a few years of office work, I went into the professional singing world, including three years in the London production of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, understudying and playing the role of Carlotta. Appearances in many other West End productions followed and I appeared in several concerts in the BBC Proms series as well as touring the UK extensively and appearing overseas. In recent years, I became the Advertising Director of OPERA magazine. Apart from music, I have a great love of stand-up comedy, reading, (especially biographies – I love knowing how people tick!) attending the theatre and cinema. Each of my previous jobs, together with over twenty years of volunteering have taught me skills which I believe have helped me to become a better support to those around me. For a while now, I have wanted to lead a more contributive way of life, whereby I wish to help people when they are at difficult times of their lives. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss the possibility of our creating a ceremony together.
Talking about death; even thinking about it, is very difficult in our culture, and it may be that you have found your way here because you are dealing with a bereavement which has taken place or because you wish to plan some elements of a ceremony to take place in the future. In either case, I hope to be able to help you. As an independent celebrant, I am able to conduct what are essentially non-religious ceremonies, whilst being able to include religious elements, if desired. The wishes of the deceased and their loved ones are what is important to mark and celebrate the life lived and so each ceremony is unique as well as being respectful and loving in its nature. The ceremonies are suitable for burials or cremations and can take place in any non-religious building or venue. Each ceremony is different and, after meeting with you, I will be able to craft a tribute to your loved one using all the elements raised by you and your family and friends. To that end, it is good to have as much input as possible from this group, to be able to celebrate and honour the life lived. Memories can be shared or discovered, which adds to the completeness of the tribute. We can meet at your home or at another venue if you prefer. You may wish to include some poetry or readings and pieces of music which have special significance and I can advise on these elements, if needed. During our conversation, I can advise on the practical aspects of the ceremony, in consultation with your funeral director and my aim is to support and guide you through the whole process.
