Hayley Pickering Funeral Celebrant

22/07/2025

Connie Francis and Ozzy Osbourne in the space of a week. RIP.

A sign that as we grow older, so do they.

Two completely different talents.
Equally as amazing in their own right 🕊️💔

‘When you remember me,
it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who lam on who you are.
It means that you can summon me back to your mind.
It means that even after I die,
you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.’

Frederick Buchner

14/07/2025

A lovely little addition in remembrance of a much loved Mum who’s family wanted a little something extra special for those attending the service💙

Those we love don’t go away
They walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard but always near
Still loved, still missed and very dear.

10/07/2025

Unbelievable as always xx

04/07/2025

This lovely lady was surrounded by love at the end of her life. She was a devoted wife, mum and nan. Her life was all about her family. She cherished her holidays to Perranporth, Cornwall, surrounded by them all, happy days on the beach, sandcastles, ice cream!

I’ve never been to Cornwall, after today it’s definitely on my bucket list x

Hi Hayley
Just wanted to get in contact with you to say thank you very much for today, it went perfectly and you delivered everything in a meaningful way.
Thanks from all the C****** family

02/07/2025

02/07/2025

We’ve had some very poignant additions to my services this week.
The choice is always yours and it’s so nice to have these unique elements incorporated.

Yesterday we had it all… motorbikes, butterfly themes, horse drawn carriages and a dove release.

Ive got to know the ‘dove guy’ and I’m assured these doves are treated like royalty. I’ve seen a photo of their houses, it’s not far off Buckingham Palace status and they want for nothing. They had plenty of water offered to them on the hottest of days too.

We were melting as we gathered in the chapel and outside. It was a fulfilling day all round, certainly for me, Im the fortunate one that gets to witness these profound moments time after time x🕊️🕊️🕊️

Shout out to my colleague and exceptional conductor Lee for snapping a quick photo of me doing what I love x

28/06/2025

Yesterday I had the pleasure and privilege of leading a very special Mum, Gran and Great Gran’s final farewell. She was the matriarch of her large and loving family having lead a full and happy life.

All her life she’d been a dog lover, when her children were youngsters she bred and showed Chihuahua’s, later in life she and her late husband had their beloved German Shepherd for many years, when he passed she went back to the smaller breeds. Her lovely Westie accompanied her as her plus one to her grandson’s wedding a few years back and more recently she rescued mum and daughter Kylie and Kendall from the Dogs Trust.

This lovely pair now reside with her son and her gorgeous great daughters pictured here.

Kylie and Kendall led the hearse, accompanying their beloved owner on her final journey.

Doggies are welcome at most crematoria, infact we are delighted when they attend. Wet noses and waggy tails are a welcome presence. They soften the sadness somehow and help bring back smiles when we most need them❤️

*No puddles or parcels were left behind either!

Shout out to Paul from Noble Funeral Services for taking them off for a fidget/walkies half way through x

24/06/2025

Last year I made the monumental personal decision to home educate my youngest son. It wasn’t a choice made lightly or easy for me in general but it seemed like the only viable solution going forward.

Since then we’ve been navigating a new path, one that has to work alongside my career… trying to focus and build on existing interests.

He has an interest in history, particularly The Military and World Wars, I also share this so it’s been quite a bonding experience for us both visiting various memorials and museums.

Today we had a little ‘school trip’ visit to Brookwood Military Cemetery. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting. I’ve been to ‘the other side’ of the cemetery in a professional capacity but this completely took my breath away.

The visual reality of loss from all nations and that’s just a small percentage on British soil.

The lady that manages the American section took the time to really explain the logistics of the cemetery and it’s history. It’s beautifully kept too… just made my heart very heavy this afternoon.

We will remember them 🕊️

My boy now has the challenge of remembering it all to write up tomorrow!💙

24/06/2025

23/06/2025

Friday was all about celebrating the life of a man who left us so suddenly. There was still very much a feeling of shock amongst the congregation and shere disbelief that this day was upon us.

He was a devoted Hank Marvin fan… this passion was reflected in the music choices, however… he was also obsessed with Christmas! Every year the halls would be decked to capacity and the Christmas tunes would start playing in November!

So… on one of the hottest days in June, we listened and sang along to his all time favourite!

It’s never too early to start dreaming of a White Christmas and I’m sure wherever he is now, he’d be smiling as we boiled in the chapel, dreaming of snow!

I’ll never hear this classic again and not think of him. Rest easy, I hope heaven has a guitar collection as vast as yours and that there’s no restriction on volume up there!🕊️🎼🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Provided to YouTube by 143/Reprise White Christmas (with Shania Twain) · Michael Bublé · Shania Twain Christmas ℗ 2011 Warner Records Inc. Unknown: Al Sc...

15/06/2025

I’m obsessed with this Poem.

I’ve always appreciated Poetry, especially when the verses rhyme so cleverly.

I find new Poems frequently, often they are suggested to me my a family, sometimes I make the suggestions.

I’ve developed quite an archive and have even dabbled in writing some myself.

This one below is definitely a favourite. The way it uses the titles of so many classic songs will resonate with many and I’ll be reading it for a gentleman at his service this week….

Reflections of a Boomer💙

I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.

I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name.

I’ve gone to Kansas City, I sang in the sunshine.

I’ve been on the road again, with Georgia on my mind.

Like a rolling stone, I’ve given peace a chance.

I’ve put a camel to bed and danced the last dance.

Mr. Tambourine man played a song for me,

I’ve whispered words of wisdom, let it be.

I’ve fallen into a burning ring of fire and walked the line,

To all the girls I’ve loved before, you were always on my mind.

I’ve been everywhere, I’ve been so lonesome I could cry,

I’ve driven my Chevy to the levee when the levee was dry.

I’ve been to Itchy coo Park in a yellow submarine.

I’ve made the scene in a time machine.

I’ve done the Hokey Pokey and turned myself around.

I’ve welcomed baby back to the poor side of town.

I’ve followed the tracks of my tears down a long and winding road.

I’ve kept on searching for a heart of gold.

I’ve sought shelter from the storm, I’ve sat on the dock of the bay.

I’ve rocked around the clock, on a sunshiny day.

I’ve knocked on Heaven’s door, while blowing in the wind.

Joy to the world, those were the days my friend.

Lay lady lay, in crimson and clover.

It’s been a hard day’s night, the party’s over.

By Uncle Joe

15/06/2025

So clever xx

Say hello to Pascal, the lovable chameleon from Tangled