Evermore Civil Ceremonies

28/09/2025

Had the most amazing day at The Value of Death Gathering! 🌿✨
From Threshold Singing and decorating a little coffin, to learning Talking Mats, shrouding, sound baths, and grief haikus—there was so much to experience.

Caught up with friends from SICA, Pushing Up the Daisies, Soul Midwives Scotland, The D Word, and met so many new, compassionate people. Feeling inspired, energised, and part of an amazing army ready to shift how we approach death and grief.

Truly, “Let your vibe attract your tribe”—yesterday proved it! 💛

28/09/2025

At church today, my friend Ann Gillies shared this image and said, “I imagine this is what grief and loss feel like.”

It really resonated. Life goes on, but there’s a hole — a piece of you that’s missing. It may change shape over time, but it never disappears.

We all carry missing pieces, and no two holes are the same size or shape. Some are obvious, some hidden. Walking with grief can feel lonely, but you are not alone. 💔

This sculpture is by Bruno Catalano, part of his Voyageurs series, and this one stands in Venice. The sculptures are surrealist, showing human figures with large parts of their bodies missing. Each figure carries a single case, symbolising both the weight we carry and the connection between the visible and missing parts of ourselves. The empty spaces are left for the viewer to interpret — much like grief itself.

Thank you, Ann, for sharing something that speaks so clearly. In my work as a funeral celebrant and end-of-life doula, I see how important it is to give grief the space to be felt and honoured — and to remind people they don’t have to carry it alone.

If you need me to hold space with you then please do contact me.

28/09/2025

Good morning everyone ☀️
I’m looking for a wee bit of help… I need a bunch of old magazines for a project I’m starting soon. Any kind at all – all ages, interests and genders welcome!

If you’ve got some lying around, please give me a shout or drop me a DM. I’ll be collecting them over the next wee while, so even if you don’t have any just now but will in the coming weeks, I’d really appreciate if you could hold on to them for me.

I can collect, or you can pass them to me at church, work, or whenever you see me.

Thanks so much in advance ### 💕

17/09/2025

Watch this space....

Today I led a workshop on recording memories in a High School!

I was invited to talk about life story recordings and the importance of preserving and recording memories as part of The D Word at Carrongrange High School.

The D Word is a brilliant social enterprise launched by Gillian Robertson Interfaith Celebrant that aims to make talking about death a more comfortable and common subject. (If you are interested in finding out more about it or are a celebrant wanting to lead some of The D Word sessions in your region you should definitely get in touch with her).

As part of the project she took a group of pupils to meet funeral directors, see how a crematorium works and even lead their own church based funeral service. My small session as part of this project was about recording stories and memories of loved ones while they are still alive so that you have special ways to remember them & their voice once they have passed.

It was something completely different for me today and a bit out of my comfort zone but it was fun and rewarding and I hope I'll get the chance to do some more of it as The D Word progresses.

17/09/2025

Obitus (the wonderful people behind your music and photos at funerals) have carried out a survey and the results are AMAZING 😍. Here is a brief summary of what the results showed.....

💛 Celebrants Are Transforming Funerals 💛

98.5% of families personalise with music or photo/video tributes

92% rise in celebrant-led funerals in the past 6 years

68% of people prefer a “celebration of life” over a traditional funeral

Celebrants help families create services that are unique, meaningful, and true to their loved one.

Funerals are no longer one-size-fits-all. Families want farewells that truly reflect their loved one, and celebrants are at the heart of making it happen.

🎵 Music choices and 📸 photo/video tributes top the list of personal touches, with colour themes, mementos, and poetry adding even more meaning.

What matters most to families?
✅ A smooth, stress-free service
✅ Something unique and personal
✅ Guidance from professionals
✅ Authenticity that honours the person who has died

Celebrants bring creativity, empathy, and storytelling to every service—helping families celebrate life in a way that feels truly theirs.

Funerals are evolving. It’s no longer about tradition—it’s about telling each unique story.

17/09/2025

September is Su***de Prevention Month — a quiet reminder that one of the bravest things we can do is reach out.

I hold space for grief, stories and the hard conversations. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not failing — you’re human. Talk to someone who’ll listen without judgment:

• Samaritans (24/7): freephone 116 123.
• If you’re in Scotland, Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (evenings and weekends availability)

If you’re in immediate danger, please call 999.

You don’t have to carry this alone. If you’d like a compassionate ear or help finding local support, I can signpost services and listen. Please share this post — it might reach someone who needs it today. 💛

***dePreventionMonth

25/08/2025

It means so much when families ask me back to support them again. ❤️

Evermore is built on relationships, trust, word of mouth and reputation. To be welcomed back is the biggest compliment, and I’m so grateful for it.

A special thank you to a family I recently served for your trust, your beautiful flowers and your lovely card — it truly means the world. 💐✨

25/08/2025

Sometimes we all need a little helping hand so it was lovely to be assisted by my wonderful daughter Anna at one of my recent services. She was fantastic on the music and helping me transport equipment.
Even at traditional graveside services I can bring my sound system and we can enjoy your loved ones favourite songs. At this service we had 'Brown Eyed Girl' by Van Morrison, 'Loch Lomond' by Runrig and 'Flower of Scotland' by The Corries.

16/07/2025

Why I Don’t Always Wear Black to a Funeral

Black can be traditional, respectful, and appropriate—but it’s not always the right fit for the person we’re honouring. Every life is different, and so is every ceremony.

Sometimes, a family asks me to wear a pop of colour, a floral dress, or even something that reflects their loved one’s personality. I’ve worn tropical bird print, a Buckfast necklace, a bright blue dress and many colourful scarves—because that’s what felt right for them.

My role is to hold space, tell stories, and honour a unique life. That doesn’t always mean sombre colours. It means showing up with warmth, kindness, and authenticity—sometimes in black, sometimes not.

Grief is many things. So is love. And funerals should be personal, heartfelt, and beautiful in their individuality.

So if you see me in sparkly sequins, traditional tartan, rainbow bright colours or even pink polka dots—it’s still a mark of respect. Just one that’s tailored to the life we’re celebrating.

We should honour lives not just in black, but in every colour they brought to the world—because some lives are simply too colourful to be remembered in monochrome.

Laura 🌈

14/07/2025

Today, I lit a virtual candle in memory of Alexander McNab, a local teenager whose tragic loss has deeply affected our community.

Though I didn’t know Alexander or his family personally, as a fellow mum, I want to stand alongside his mum and loved ones and acknowledge their grief.

If you would like to join me in this tribute, you can do so here:
https://alexandermcnab.muchloved.com/

While it won’t bring Alexander back, it offers his family a reminder that we, as a community, care deeply and share in their sorrow.

02/07/2025

Laughter in the midst of loss 💛

I met with a family today to plan a funeral. The laughter in the house was wonderful.

One of the most beautiful parts of sitting down with families to plan a funeral is the laughter. Yes — even in grief, especially in grief — there are stories that bring a wee chuckle, memories that spark joy, and tales that end with everyone wiping tears of laughter from their eyes.

It’s in these moments we remember that a person’s life was full — of quirks, of daft carry-ons, of sayings they always used, or things they’d never let you forget. The way they danced, the way they cooked (or couldn’t cook!), the nicknames, the mischief, the unforgettable lines…

Laughter doesn’t take away the sadness. But it softens it. It reminds us of the love, the connection, the life that was lived.

So if you ever find yourself sitting with me to plan a service, please know: it’s more than okay to laugh. In fact, I welcome it.

Let’s honour their story — the whole of it.

30/06/2025

A heartbreaking article in this week’s Sunday Post highlights just how out of hand funeral costs have become. It's simply not right that grieving families should be left with such a heavy financial burden.

But there are ways to create a meaningful and beautiful farewell without breaking the bank. We need to start thinking outside the box when it comes to modern funerals.

For example, a direct cremation costs around half as much as a traditional crematorium service. You can then hold a separate memorial event in a place that feels right for you—whether that’s a garden, a community hall, your living room, or a favourite beauty spot. There’s no time pressure, no conveyor belt feeling, and the setting can be deeply personal. Most celebrants (myself included) have portable sound systems to bring music and words wherever you need them.

Most ideas can be accommodated if you have a funeral director who is willing to work with you and do things a little differently.

I also continue to offer half-price services for families experiencing financial hardship. You're not alone—and help is out there. One brilliant support is Caledonia Funeral Aid – you can find them here: https://funerals.scot/

Let’s talk more openly about funerals and give each other permission to do things differently. It’s not about spending more—it’s about making it meaningful. 💛

If you know someone who’s struggling with funeral costs—or worried about the expense of an upcoming funeral—please feel free to pass on my details. I’m always happy to offer support and guidance.

Families struggling with the cost of funerals are being turned away by funeral directors, campaigners say.