Bespoke Civil Ceremonies

23/10/2021

Following a review of the guidance provided by the Funeral Celebrancy Council, a review of current regulations, taking note of the local situation and carrying out a recent risk assessment it is now the priority of Bespoke Civil Ceremonies to carry out family interviews for clients of Bespoke Civil Funeral Ceremonies via Zoom, Whatsapp, Telephone and other safe communication methods only.
Over the last 17 years we have conducted many family interviews by telephone, Skype, Zoom etc. Using this form of communication does not in any way detract from delivering the very best service for your loved one and of course you will still receive a draft email of the service from the telephone/Skype interview so you can make any changes you wish before the funeral.
Please be reassured that you and your loved ones will continue to receive the very best level of care and Service from Bespoke Civil Ceremonies. Your safety and care is our top priority.
As the COVID 19 situation is fast paced and evolving, we will update this message in accordance with any further advice from the funeral business.
(Only in very exceptional circumstances will it be permissible for me to visit you at home. If this is deemed necessary I would respectfully request that the following guidelines from The Scottish Government are followed: please make sure that windows are opened, social distancing is respected and masks are worn by all in attendance).
Many thanks to everyone for the continued support and understanding.
Neil Dorward 22nd October 2021

07/04/2021

20/02/2021

Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. –Mary Oliver, “Sometimes” * When I was a new-to-practice oncology nurse, I was a walking, talking ball of anxiety. There…

11/02/2021

We at CTA Scotland are so very proud of all of our Graduates that we thought they deserved their own special 'Celebrant Seal' as Graduates from Celebrant Training Academy Scotland ❤️
https://celebranttrainingacademyscotland.wordpress.com/...

We at CTA Scotland are so very proud of all of our Graduates that we thought they deserved their own special 'Celebrant Seal' as Graduates from Celebrant Training Academy Scotland ❤️
https://celebranttrainingacademyscotland.wordpress.com/new-our-celebrant-seal/

21/03/2020

Bespoke Civil Ceremonies COVID 19 Response
Caring for you and your loved ones

Hello everyone,

Funeral Directors across the UK are developing protection plans for the safety of families during these unprecedented and worrying times. The main desire is for funerals to be as normal as possible whilst minimising the risk of transmission.

For the protection of families at this exceptional time, as of Monday 23rd March 2020, all family interviews will now take place via telephone, Skype, Facetime or similar apps in order to keep everyone protected.

Over the last 15 years I have conducted many family interviews by telephone, Skype etc. Using this form of communication does not in any way detract from delivering the very best service for your loved one and of course you, will still receive a draft email of the service from the telephone/Skype interview so you can make any changes you wish before the funeral.

During the Funeral Service Social Distancing practices will be in place, at the recommendation of the Industry.

Please be reassured that you and your loved ones will still receive the very best level of care and Service from Bespoke Civil Ceremonies.

As the COVID 19 situation is fast paced and evolving, we will update this message in accordance with any further advice from the funeral business.

Take good care of yourselves and each other

Neil Dorward

21st March 2020

19/09/2019

Thinking Time A Long time ago Plato asked, “…why should we not calmly and patiently review our own thoughts, and thoroughly examine and see what these appearances in us really are?” But…

04/09/2019

Fancy a cuddle? Hello everyone, welcome to Parable Pods first Blog Post on the first of our featured ‘Wellness Wednesdays’.Each Wednesday we will be taking a look at a few ways to help us improve o…

02/09/2019

❤️

01/09/2019

‘All that we are is story. From the moment we are born to the time we continue on our spirit journey, we are involved in the creation of the story of our time here. It is what we arrive with. It is all we leave behind. We are not the things we accumulate. We are not the things we deem important. We are story. All of us. What comes to matter then is the creation of the best possible story we can while we’re here; you, me, us, together. When we can do that and we take the time to share those stories with each other, we get bigger inside, we see each other, we recognize our kinship – we change the world, one story at a time…’
Richard Wagamese

27/08/2019

THE ART OF DEVELOPING A BEAUTIFUL MIND

The world is not simply there. Everything and everyone we see, we view through the lenses of our thoughts. Your mind is where your thoughts arise and form. It is not simply with your eyes but with your mind that you see the world. So much depends on your mind: How you see yourself, who you think you are, how you see others, what you think the meaning of life is, how you see death, belief, God, darkness. Beauty is all determined by the style of mind you have.

Your mind is your greatest treasure. We become so taken up with the world, with having and doing more and more, we come to ignore who we are and forget what we see the world with. The most powerful way to change your life is to change your mind.

When you beautify your mind, you beautify your world. You learn to see differently. In what seemed like dead situations, secret possibilities and invitations begin to open before you. In old suffering that held you long paralyzed, you find new keys. When your mind awakens, your life comes alive and the creative adventure of your soul takes off. Passion and compassion become your new companions.

©JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from the unpublished collection of John O'Donohue. The title and description John wrote in late 2007 for a public event in 2008.

Fanore Beach, Co. Clare / Ireland - 2019
Photo: © Ann Cahill
https://johnodonohue.com/

20/08/2019

Can anyone guess who this is? ❤️
He wrote these wonderful words on his 70th Birthday.....

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today I know “THAT IS LIFE”!