Unique Stories - Funeral Celebrant and Eulogist

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Unique Stories - Funeral Celebrant and Eulogist

Welcome to Uniques Stories - Funeral Celebrant and Eulogist.

04/11/2023

Just a note on a special day for me and my family. We all have these and we all acknowledge them in different ways.

23/10/2023

Last week I was honoured and privileged to write and deliver the eulogy for a very dear friend, and in support of his partner and my closest friend. This was not easy. It demanded a whole new approach in many ways. I had way more information than is usually available to me, I had my own personal thoughts and perspectives, but all this had to be managed within the scope of a deeply personal tribute that meant something to every one who knew him. Thankfully the feed back was that is was 'perfect', 'beautiful', and 'a fine portrait of a life'. It was considered a very fitting and personal funeral by all who attended and it was supported by the unique touches provided. A collection of blank postcards from travels abroad were used as the order of service; flowers were from domestic gardens that meant a great deal to him, and wild seeds were packaged for those attending. We can make a funeral a true celebration, and something to be remembered with a smile.

14/08/2023

Today I decided what I will call my Celebrancy for weddings and vow renewals - ‘Fil Rouge’. This means ‘red thread’. It is consistent with the same stories that run through all our lives, but represents when these stories combine.

The red string of fate, also referred to as the red thread of destiny, red thread of fate, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese legend and is also used in Japanese legend. According to this myth, the gods tie an invisible red string around the ankles of men and women who are destined to be soul mates and will one day marry each other. Often, in Japanese culture, it is thought to be tied around the little finger.

The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of time, place or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of soulmates or a twin flame.

08/08/2023

I have recently been inspired to consider adding wedding celebrancy to my services. I will update this page as this develops. My aim is to focus on ‘mature’ weddings and vow renewal.

16/03/2023

2 years today since I launched Unique Stories. I have delivered over 50 funerals and been inspired and privileged by the families and people who have trusted me with such a special time. I have met such a range of circumstances and learned a great deal from each of these, while keeping it wholly unique. Thanks to everyone.

01/03/2023

I am very happy to adopt the principles of the Celebrant Charter.
This ensures the highest levels of professionalism in a very privileged and personal role.

01/03/2023

"No book is one chapter. No chapter tells the whole story. No mistake defines who we are. Keep turning the pages that need to be turned." Jay Blades
Some of you will know him from The Repair Shop, and it is fitting that the restoration of items soaked in memory is the source for this quote. It is not unlike the role that the Celebrant has. But the Celebrant has to keep turning their pages too. See my 'vlog' on my journey

20/01/2023

An absolutely beautiful day for a very rural graveside service. It was crispy cold and pretty slippy underfoot but Brian Smith Funeral Services orchestrated a lovely procession from the ruined church to the graveside. It was incredibly fitting for a man who had been born and lived around the area all his life and enjoyed the land and its offerings.

09/01/2023

If this Prince Harry episode teaches us anything it is how varying agendas and perceptions can totally alter the intention of what is said or written. As a Celebrant speaking on behalf of others within complex and sensitive situations we have to be acutely aware of this. Listening closely to families is critical.

23/12/2022

I spend a lot of time celebrating the lives of people in their 80’ and 90’s. The challenges they met, the changes they saw. So this week 29/30 years on since my mum and dad went forth, I thought it would be good to remember them.

17/12/2022

I was, as always, honoured yesterday to talk to the life story of an amazing 91 year old woman. Her life and story were bound up in social history, and the landscape that was and is Aberdeen. She chose John Anderson my Jo, a Burn’s interpretation of a traditional ballad that I did not sing but read, and there was also a part of a poem written in Yorkshire accents, so it was highly inclusive! I have to say Yorkshire accents can translate well into Aberdonian! It was a great example of illustrating a life to be celebrated. To have someone say afterward ‘it felt like she was in the room’ is certainly good to hear.

03/12/2022

Just joined a really interesting webinar hosted by Good Grief. The topic was around family dynamics at a time for bereavement and grieving and it really underlined that there is no one size fits all and feelings and experiences around death vary enormously, and the events around death may need be likewise. It is important o realise you have choice and you feel able to express this.

22/11/2022

Today I finished my course work for the University of Glasgow course on Robert Burns. It was fascinating and I feel very comfortable now in including the work of Burns in a truly meaningful way in any eulogy. Celebrancy is a fabulous route to learning.

26/09/2022

A really lovely funeral today. The family asked for ‘a splash of yellow’ to be worn and it was lovely to see the colour reflected back at me as I spoke. The widow was an entire set of encyclopaedias in herself - an amazing mind so generously shared.

22/09/2022

Dementia is not uncommon among the families a Celebrant finds themselves working with, and while other family members are potentially there to assist, it does no harm to have some understanding of how to help the person engage with you and the process and be included. As a means of achieving this I today completed the necessary activities to become a Dementia Friend.

09/09/2022

There is a family somewhere tonight, together and remembering. Titles, positions are unique, Mum, mummy, grandma, Nan, gran…. We all grieve and recall our memories. It is part of securing the story for generations to come. No matter the status we all leave an invaluable legacy.

02/09/2022

The work of Burns comes up not infrequently when discussing readings etc for eulogies and services. I always felt I wanted to know much more to ensure I was engaging with it beyond the Tartanry and tourism, so I am delighted to be embarking on a course at Glasgow University in September. As celebrants we can never learn enough.

Image - cover of ‘Burns the Radical’ by Liam McIlvanney

28/08/2022

It has been a really busy few weeks and I have noticed a trend in the services I have been honoured to deliver. Perhaps the age group, but so many Aberdeen landmarks have set the scene for these stories. Buildings and landmarks are great memorials to life and it’s stories

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Inverurie
AB513QU

Website

http://Www.uniquestories.co.uk/

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