Hello, my name is Katie Ashworth of Briar Ceremonies, and I am your funeral celebrant in Newcastle upon Tyne.

I live in Newcastle with my fiancé and our two rabbits, and can often be found singing at open mics, going to gigs, playing the piano in my band, reading, or escaping into nature or a music festival in our campervan. I’m happiest when around live music - also somewhat of a nerd; I met my fiancé at a boardgaming evening! I enjoy sitting around a table with friends & letting our imagination unfold into fantastic tales.

Why ‘Briar Ceremonies’? Well, like a bramble – life is often sweet, sometimes painful, but everything that happens is part of nature. Regardless of one's personal religion, philosophy or spirituality, death is a part of living, and everyone’s life is a story that can be told in a personalised ceremony. Since life is neither boring nor simple, why should a funeral be?

Becoming a celebrant seemed a natural way to go after losing my mum to cancer in 2020. Having delivered eulogies at a number of funerals prior to this, I was already aware that funerals don’t always have to be doom and gloom. The worst has happened; your loved one has passed on, and now is the time to remember and celebrate their life, and a well-delivered ceremony can make all the difference. All I want is to help you make their send-off worthy of their unique life.

My journey with UKSOC started over lockdown after my mum’s funeral, after I was left feeling I could have delivered a better ceremony! I remembered a wonderful funeral was years before, where the celebrant was sparkling with energy and joy. I still remember what a lovely funeral it was, and regarded the celebrant highly. Being a celebrant combines my love of meeting folks & hearing their stories with make your toughest day a little bit easier.

A varied career so far, I have worked as CAD engineer to counsellor, stand-up comic to council data analyst. I love learning new skills, finding more about the world and the people in it. I am a seasoned public speaker, a confident presenter who will deliver your ceremonies with energy, compassion, dignity and enthusiasm.

Volunteering for Relate Counselling, helping clients make appointments as well as doing a Helping Skills qualification, means I have honed my listening skills and established myself as a trustworthy individual that people can feel comfortable around during vulnerable moments. Celebrancy is a lot like counselling in that we work together to gather information about a person in order to tell their story faithfully, and even discover some new things about ourselves along the way.

Your ceremony and its composition & delivery will be in safe hands. I graduated from Newcastle University 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Language and Linguistics, but I have enjoyed writing and performing my whole life. I have had selected poems published in an anthology for Hull City of Culture, as well as being a stage performer for over 11 years. I have written and performed at poetry events, done a few Edinburgh Fringe shows & MC’d a series of charity variety nights! All of this has given me the experience to write and run a ceremony smoothly and professionally.

Unlike a traditional religious event, your ceremony will be entirely original; tailored for your needs, I will help you celebrate the uniqueness of your loved one and support you to have a ceremony that you and your family will remember for years to come. I can assist you as much or little as you’d like, from song choices and readings, to poems and activities – it's your day and we’ll do it your way!

I look forward to working with you in the future – please feel free to get in touch for a chat.