Jason Lightoller | Funeral Celebrant

Hello, my name is Jason Lightoller and I am your Civil Funeral Celebrant in London, Surrey and Kent.

There is something deeply unique and personal in all of us. Every life – be it long or short - has a story to tell, and it’s the way this story is told that makes a truly meaningful ceremony for the person who has passed on. A funeral marks the end of a person’s life and there is only one chance to get the ceremony right - it is an incredibly personal and intimate event. It’s paramount that you can do this in a way that feels right by honouring the life the person led.

I am professionally trained, accredited and certified by the United Kingdom Society of Celebrants (UKSOC). As well as a Funeral Celebrant I am also a Registered General Nurse and a Midwife, and I have spent more than 30 years working in various capacities in the Health Service including front line ambulance work. It is within these various roles I have been fortunate enough to embrace the reality of diversity and uniqueness that each and every one of us possesses. I was brought up in a Romani culture, therefore I can fully embrace the uniqueness that we all possess, be it in a family unit or someone who is completely autonomous.

No amount of preparation in life can protect you from the pain of bereavement. Facing grief is one of the most difficult things we can experience in our lifetime, and in my Health Service roles I have been privileged to be able to help families and friends through their darkest moments when they have lost their nearest and dearest either suddenly or after a long illness – ranging from babies that have been born asleep right through to people very senior in years.

Organising a funeral service can be one of the most daunting things we have to face. I am here.

This is where the choice of your Funeral Celebrant begins.

It is an absolute privilege to be able to help you through these difficult times to create a truly bespoke ceremony for your loved one. A funeral can be full of powerful emotions - I will support and guide you through the whole process to make sure that the ceremony is as unique as the life it is reflecting, whether you choose a traditional format or something totally different. This can be from a completely non-religious aspect or you may wish to include some elements from a particular faith, for instance prayers or religious readings.

At our initial meeting I will encourage you to share stories, anecdotes, and memories about your loved one. This will help me to understand the person's character, interests, and values. We will also talk about your wishes for the ceremony, including the tone, style and any specific elements you wish to include. I may ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of your loved one’s life, personality, and the things that made them unique. This meeting will be at a mutually convenient time – ideally face to face. Typically this will be at your home or another place of your choosing, perhaps another friend or relative’s home. You can have somebody else present should you wish.

If there is anything that will be shared in the ceremony by some of the mourners, perhaps a poem or a reading, then I would also have a discussion with them to ensure that we are certain whereabouts in the service the readings will take place so everything runs smoothly on the day.

I will use what we have discussed to craft a personalised ceremony that honours the person and reflects your wishes. There may be a follow-up if anything needs to be refined, and of course you will have my contact details should you wish to clarify anything.