Corinne Firth-Surkitt - Funeral Celebrant

25/01/2026

Well that's him indoors sorted when the time comes , he can have something like this ! Cheers Steve Soult Limited that's one decision ticked off

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a doctor who themed coffin, there are lots of props on top and the end is inscribed to explain a time lord is regenerating inside the coffin

A final tribute that reflects who they were.

23/01/2026

This week I stood and spoke about a woman who always said- "you've got to do it properly" ...

This evening I channeled her when I set up this traitors watch party for my family , I did it properly

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, props around my house with the traitors TV programme logo on , paper with wax seal, scrolls and me in a cloak

23/01/2026

Yesterday was a Swan, today it was geese overlooking the Mersey

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a photo of a green space with benches alongside the river Merseyside seen through the side window of my car with several geese in view

23/01/2026

My first snowdrop spot of the year at Blackburn with Darwen Cemeteries & Crematorium pleasington site

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, snowdrops poking up from leaf litter at the base of trees

22/01/2026

I have been to the Burscough area many times when I go to West Lancashire Cemetery and Crematorium and to visit bereaved families in the area , but I have never stopped in the town centre itself , today I did and I met this new friend

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, 3 photos of a canal with Ducks but the main focus is a Swan

21/01/2026

2 Ceremonies today at Blackburn with Darwen Cemeteries & Crematorium pleasington site means plenty of time to watch Simon from Memorial Cleaning hard at work and learn more from him. He really does an amazing job

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, 2 photos one it of the advertising before and after pictures and the second is of Simon hard at work kneeling restoring old lead lettering that has aged badly

20/01/2026

Who left the gate open at the idiot farm 🤔....
Why did I think it was a good idea to go yomping up a muddy hillside straight from a service in my work shoes rather than take 2 little tiny minutes to change them for something more sensible 🙄, sometimes I really have to shake my head and roll my eyes at myself !
Anyway duty done, Private Ernest Jones remembered on his death anniversary, the first since he's been in our care having adopted him via Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Friends of Darwen Cemetery , I took very simple flowers today as with the wildlife I needed to make sure they didn't have plastic or ribbon that could have caused harm to an animal

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, 2 photos one is off my girly work shoes on a bed of leaves, I say girly, they class as girly by my standards, they are black work shoes with a strap , the second is of Ernest's grave and the small bouquet on it

19/01/2026

A very important message from Mind , no one picks a particular day to feel low. Just like on the sunniest of days it's OK to feel low too. We can't control our feelings but you can learn to recognise them and know when to reach out , charities like Mind are there for that

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired , a handwritten reminder that blue Monday was actually created by a holiday company to sell more holidays in January

I know… we say it every year but we just need to remind you that Blue Monday was in fact made up by a travel company to sell more holidays 🥲 Depression doesn’t care what day it is. If you’re feeling low, we’re here for you 💙

17/01/2026

A very important message and something that comes up in our training as Celebrants, changing the words around su***de can make a massive impact

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a graphic explaining that using the word commited has now been replaced because of the links to su***de previously being criminal , to commit is usually associated with criminal behaviour

Talking about su***de can be difficult.

However, learning how to talk about it in a safe and hopeful way has the power of potentially saving lives and avoiding reinforcing stigma that can prevent people from seeking the support they need.

Refrain from using the term ‘committed’. 'Commit' implies su***de is a sin or crime, reinforcing the stigma that it’s a selfish act and personal choice. Su***de has not been a crime in England since 1961.

Instead, let's use phrases such as 'died by su***de' or 'experienced suicidal thoughts'.
Let's keep talking about su***de safely and sensitively, and keep saving young lives. 💜

10/01/2026

"You need to get out more !"...
I think a lot of people probably think I need to stay in more at times.

Today we needed to go up and check on our Commonwealth War Graves Commission grave to say hi to Ernest and tidy away the Christmas wreath but then we mooched into the wooded area of the cemetery grounds maintained by Friends of Darwen Cemetery and played with sticks and found some incredible rare hair ice.
It was very cold but very beautiful and as ever we had our wooded playground pretty much to ourselves , just saw a couple of dog walkers

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a series of photos of me, my son and my husband in the frosty cemetery grounds and lots of looking for sticks

10/01/2026

A funeral, on a Saturday ? ...

Honestly folks I'm not just getting out of doing a tip run and getting the washing done at home, Saturday funerals really are a thing and I've been surprised how many people didn't know that.

They can often be more convenient if whole work places want to attend or if large numbers of family need to travel but in many cases they can also be more expensive so it is a weighing up thing and the vast majority of people will still opt for a weekday. And to show how rare it is I'm fast approaching the 350 funeral milestone and this is my first Saturday at a crematorium although I have done memorial services in more of a social setting like sports clubs or pubs.

So as ever I like to share your options with you, I think it's always worth knowing its a thing , even if it isn't eventually your thing. And now I'm going to get ready to get to work inside West Lancashire Cemetery and Crematorium with the wonderful staff

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired , todays funeral list, the details are obscured for the privacy of the family and a photo of the grounds with a bright blue sky

09/01/2026

**details obscured for privacy**

🐾🐾🐾🐾Honestly!!!! Just pulled up at Preston Crematorium, getting my papers ready , and my script has a flipping cat paw print on 🙄🙄🙄 - how ! I printed it, collected it off my printer and put it in my folder ... how !!!!

My cats are idiots .... and that's a watered down version of what I just said in my little silver car 😂😂

Humanist Ceremonies
Photo description for the visually impaired, a white sheet of paper with my hand over it to cover the details, on it is a smudgy dark cat paw print