Annabelle Holford - Celebrant

13/11/2025

It's lovely to recieve kind words, especially when a family take time to send them in the midst of mourning....

Just a short note to thank you sincerely for conducting # # # # # # funeral service last Friday. Your compassion and sensitivity were greatly appreciated at such a difficult moment for us.

20/10/2025

Time

Time cannot steal the treasures that we carry in our hearts. Nor ever dim the shining thoughts our cherished past imparts For the memories of the ones we loved still cast a gentle glow, To grace our days and light our paths, wherever we may go.

-Author Unknown

16/10/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Jean Askew, Ross Martin

16/10/2025

A review from yesterday's service... A service filled with family contributions and so much love

Thank you so much for yesterday, we were so pleased how everything went and had so many people say what a beautiful service it was.
Thank you for your own lovely words about # # # # also, you made it feel so personal.

12/10/2025

A lovely review from a recent funeral.

Hi Annabelle - just wanted to say thank you again for writing such a beautiful service for my husband's funeral yesterday- we were so happy with how it all went and many of our friends commented on how perfectly it portrayed # # # # # personality and how well it was delivered.
Best wishes-

06/10/2025

29/09/2025

Today I conducted a service for a lady who had loved kite flying, horse riding, walking on the Downs, folk dancing and flowy skirts and was pretty much a non conformist. .

You just knew she loved the wind blowing through her hair and being free.

The Eulogy reflected this and when the family gave me the biggest hugs at the end of the service I knew it was something they had approved of.

In honour of 'V' I post a photo of this Red Kite symbolising her freedom.

Photo by my friend Dan Booker

28/09/2025

AS LONG AS THERE IS LOVE, THERE WILL BE GRIEF.

The grief of time passing, of life moving on half-finished, of empty spaces that were once bursting with the laughter and energy of people we loved.

As long as there is love there will be grief because grief is love's natural continuation.

It shows up in the aisles of stores we once frequented, in the half-finished bottle of wine we pour out, in the whiff of cologne we get two years after they've been gone.

Grief is a giant neon sign, protruding through everything, pointing everywhere, broadcasting loudly, "Love was here."

In the finer print, quietly, "Love still is."

HEIDI PRIEBE

18/09/2025

Those we love remain with us
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one’s gone.
Those we love can never
be more than a thought apart,
for as long as there is memory,
they’ll live on in the heart.

Author unknown

11/09/2025

I recently conducted a service for a gentleman who loved military history and Winston Churchill. I was asked to find something suitable to read at his graveside.... This seemed very appropriate

Let us be contented with what has happened and be thankful for all that we have been spared.
Let us accept the natural order of things in which we move.
Let us reconcile ourselves to the mysterious rhythm of our destinies, such as they must be in this world of space and time.
Let us treasure our joys but not bewail our sorrows.
The glory of light cannot exist without its shadows.
Life is a whole, and good and ill must be accepted together.
The journey has been enjoyable and well worth making… once.

It has Churchill’s unmistakable voice, yet it is gentle, reflective, and perfectly suited to a graveside setting. It acknowledges both the light and shadow of life, but in a way that leaves people with gratitude and peace rather than grief alone.

11/09/2025

It’s been a busy season for me, after a quieter year last year.

It is nearly 8 years since I conducted my first funeral, and I find it moving that my feelings haven’t changed.

I still believe that every service should be as unique as the person we are honouring. I still believe that a funeral is the final gift we give to—and receive from—a loved one.

That’s why I continue to give my all, to listen carefully, and to tell each story with love and respect. In truth, I am simply the conduit through which families can express their love.