Richard Lockwood - Independent Funeral Celebrant

21/08/2024

Good afternoon all,
For families who wish to instruct me for a funeral service:

Please can you make sure that you ask your funeral director to make it clear that you have asked for me personally. I do my utmost to accommodate all requests, but sometimes it is not clear that you have requested me personally, and if I am busy with my other business commitments, on occasion I have to decline.

A recent family with whom I had established a great working relationship with, were truly disappointed to be told that I was not available to take the service of another family member. Had I have known the details, on that occasion, it would have been possible for me to reschedule my other commitment.

It goes without saying, if you are unsure please feel free to contact me directly to discuss my availability, and if you need assistance in appointing a decent funeral director, I work alongside some fabulous individuals whom I regard as the best in the business and would recommend in a heartbeat!

Call me on 0771 229 8779

Thanks all,

05/09/2023

Wear something red!

Over the course of our lifetime, we meet many folk whose presence and influence will leave huge footprints on our hearts and in our minds. For me, the indefatigable Betty Milich is a classic example, and someone who I will always hold in the highest regard, with much affection.

I first met Betty when a friend and I happened across the Leicester Progressive Spiritualist Church one murky November evening in 1997. Neither of us had ever ventured into a ‘spooky’ church before, and we thought it might be fun to see what went on behind the closed doors….
We positioned ourselves at the back of the congregation and sat listening to the preamble of church notices and assorted wise words synonymous with what I now know as Spiritualism.

And then this lady stood up to give her demonstration of clairvoyance. She was elegantly dressed, a lady in her mid seventies, with perfectly coiffured hair and a friendly face. She proceeded to give out several messages to those eagerly waiting, most of which were received with gasps and much gratitude, confirmation from the world of spirit, that our loved ones are always close.

And then she attempted to communicate with another lady in the congregation, who was accepting not a single word from our Betty!
As a new comer to the movement, I watched with delight as Betty proceeded to go back and forth like Billy-o to her spirit contact for more information, but still the lady profusely declined to accept the evidence.

Somewhat drained, Betty finally gave up, stamped her foot on the rostrum and bellowed at the lady that the spirit world are never wrong!

With this change in atmosphere, it was somewhat unnerving that the next ‘victim’ she chose was me!
Her opening gambit was ‘I’m getting the name of Richard, does that mean anything to you?’ My vacant expression said it all, I couldn’t place anyone called Richard and somewhat nervously I just shrugged my shoulders and shook my head. Was I about to be chastised by this formidable woman in front of all these people as well?

It was a nudge from my mate who reminded me that my own name was Richard, and I reluctantly offered the information to Betty who by now was fast approaching Rottweiler mode in frustration!
The congregation fell about laughing as I whimpered the words Richard is my name…..

What happened next was truly incredible, Betty went on to deliver a lengthy message from the world of spirit that to this day has never been surpassed in its accuracy. I was stunned and delighted in equal measure, as I guess were the rest of the congregation, not least of all as Betty’s soft tone and comforting character resumed its rightful position in front of the crowd.

It was not long before I started to attend regular services and over time, I became involved with the committee. I made many friends and was invited to sit in Betty’s development circle which ran for several years at her lovely home in Leicester.
There was always a warm welcome, and a great calming atmosphere in that house, not to mention the delightful aroma of a freshly baked cake that we devoured over a cuppa at the end of the session.

Sadly as the years passed by and Betty’s health deteriorated we lost touch, but I often find that she is in my thoughts.

She had many snippets or words of wisdom, one of my favourites being ‘if you want to win the day, wear or carry something coloured red’ – I keep a red hanky in my drawer for such occasions, and believe unconditionally that my departed loved ones are never far away – all thanks to this fine lady who said to me all those years ago – can you place a Richard – well I can now Betty, rest easy lovely lady, until we meet again.

13/07/2023

As a funeral celebrant it is always a privilege to work with bereaved families, and creating and delivering a bespoke service and tribute are just part of what is involved.

By far and away the most fulfilling part for me, is getting to meet families and to take their initial instructions.
On many occasions, loved ones have little or no idea of what to expect from my visit, and they are often quite reserved in their approach, and not always comfortable with sharing their emotions with a stranger.

Needless to say, barriers are soon broken down and over a decent cuppa a favourable plan is soon forged.

I’ve lost count of the number of truly wonderful families that I have worked with since my first service almost 20 years ago - but for a number of reasons, some meetings remain in my mind for a long time.

Today was one of those occasions.

When you work in an environment where sadness prevails, it is nobody’s fault that you can often find yourself absorbing a great deal of negativity.

The family that I worked with today, whilst grieving their loss, were filled with joy and halcyon memories of a truly wonderful husband, father and grandfather - It was a joy to spend a couple of hours hearing about all manner of shenanigans with lots of laughter and twinges of sadness.

I left feeling totally uplifted having absorbed their positivity, thank you 🙏

I work alongside some of the most amazing, compassionate and conscientious folk, funeral arrangers and funeral directors, bearers and those unseen behind the scenes, all of whom strive to deliver a faultless service on a daily basis, and I know that they all share my sentiments.

I’m now sitting on my sofa, with a small glass of red, reflecting on my day at work and thinking how lucky I am to be asked, and to be trusted with these final duties.

One kindly lady asked me recently if I enjoy my job - but in truth it never feels like a job at all - I’ll leave it to you to decide what my answer was.

Much love ❤️

16/09/2022

‘It’s good to laugh’

When we are saddened by death and forced to navigate the painful stages of grief there is a power that lives deep within us that is capable of easing pain, if only for a short while.
That ‘power’ is your memory

When grief hits you, take a moment out of your day and sit in your favourite chair with a decent cuppa. Close your eyes and let your mind wonder to wherever you are inspired, recall those happy times that you spent with your loved one, the holidays, the trips out, the times that you disagreed and the times that you made up.
Use the words and sayings that your loved one used, re-tell the jokes and stories that they told, and relish in the restorative healing power that you generate.

This very morning, I have received some information to be included for a beloved mums service, a lady who has been taken from her wonderful daughters and grand children far too soon.
But this Mum would not want anyone to be sad, she was a vibrant and energetic lady who had an incredible ability to make people smile, a lot of the time unintentionally!

The details that are to be included in this service are some of the funniest that I have been privileged to be asked to read. I have laughed so much, with the type of belly laughs that leave you breathless.

That’s the power of healing, time to rest easy lovely lady, even in death you make folk smile.

19/07/2022

Good afternoon,
Just a quick note to say that owing to pre booked commitments during August I am struggling with availability to take funeral services.

Should you need my assistance, it may be wise to contact me directly on 0771 2298779 before approaching your funeral director.

I will do my best to accommodate you, but if I am not able to assist you personally, I can recommend several other celebrants who will be able to give your loved on the send off they rightfully deserve.

Thank you for your understanding.
The day on which you say your final farewell is like no other…..

with Richard Lockwood

21/06/2022

16/06/2022

Pour yourself a small libation, or make yourself a decent cuppa and join us as we celebrate Father’s Day together.

Join us on Sunday at 7pm for our special Father's Day online service. We know it's a day where we miss our dads and grandads more than ever.

Let's remember them together. Everyone is welcome: www.centralengland.coop/mydad

14/06/2022

You may wish to join me on Sunday as I present a tribute for Father’s Day. Always a privilege to work with the Co-op and their dedicated team of awesome folk.
Tune in at 7pm Sunday 19th June.

Join us on Sunday at 7pm for our special Father's Day online service. We know it's a day where we miss our dads and grandads more than ever.

Let's remember them together. Everyone is welcome: www.centralengland.coop/mydad

31/05/2022

SPECIAL OFFER (Limited time)

• Are you concerned about who would manage your affairs if you became unable to do so for yourself?
• Have you been thinking about making a lasting power of attorney, but don’t know where to start?

Look no further, I can help, and offer a free consultation in the comfort of your own home (or via virtual meeting if you prefer) without obligation.

• Prompt document production
• Fully insured

Lasting Power of Attorney – fees: creation and registration service

• Single document £295.00 (Property & Financial Affairs or Health & Welfare)
• Both documents £495.00

*Please note - the current waiting times for completion of registration is approximately 20 weeks. You may also have to pay an additional registration fee of £82 per document depending on your personal circumstances.

More information?
Give me a call 0771 229 8779
Or message me now

31/05/2022

Wearing my 'other hat'
Pop the kettle on and have read....

Elevenses time:
A lady asked me to clarify whether she could be in line to inherit from the estate of her late life-long partner and friend, and for the benefit of this article I shall call them Alma and George.
Alma explained that George had no children and had never married, although for many years it was considered that they were a couple albeit living apart.
George had recently passed away leaving a property and several thousand pounds in a bank account, she estimated the total to be around £175,000, and whilst George had often talked about putting his affairs in order, Alma was certain that George had never made a Will.
I was curious as to why Alma would think that she qualified as a beneficiary and she went on to explain that she believed that George had no known surviving family members apart from a distant cousin whom he had not spoken to since he was a young boy.
I went on to explain the law of intestacy (the process followed when a person dies without a valid Will).
If you have concerns about your own affairs take a look at the flowchart below to see what would happen if you died without a Will – Alma was very surprised indeed to find out that it was almost certain that Georges only surviving cousin would be in line to inherit the entire estate – and reading between the lines of what she actually said, George would not have been very happy either!
There is little comfort in me saying that George could have made a simple Will and chosen who he wished to inherit his estate but sadly it is a situation that I hear of all too often.
Are your affairs in order?
As a quick reminder - I offer free, no obligation consultations on making a Will, Lasting Power of Attorney and Funeral Planning in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit.
For more information or to book your appointment:
Call now on 0771 229 8779

11/05/2022

A familiar face will be presenting 😃

We'll be remembering our lovely dads on Father's Day with an online service on 19 June at 7pm.

If you'd like a precious pic of your dad to feature in a special tribute film during the service, then please share it in a PM, or send an email to pictures@centralengland.coop with your pic attached.

We'll need the photographs to be with us by 5pm on 25 May 💚