Meriel Whale Celebrant Lewes

20/10/2025

Happy International Pronouns Day! My pronouns are she/her/they.

That last 'they' is to signify that there is a part of me that is gender playful - on the inside and on the outside, I don't ft into traditional gender binaries. I play with thm. I challenge them.

I respect your pronouns, whatever they are, and I respect the identity they signify. You'll be safe with me.

I’ll work closely with you to create exactly the right ceremony for you or your loved one. We’ll meet face to face or online so that I can get to know you. I’ll write and deliver a beautiful bespoke ceremony that makes you feel proud, content and satisfied. You won’t regret choosing me.

12/10/2025

09/10/2025

09/10/2025

Baby Loss Awareness Week, 9 - 15 October, is probably one of the most painful weeks of the year. Ask anyne who has lost a pregnancy or a baby how old their baby would have been and they will be able to tell you. These children are never forgotten and the loss is real and beyond imagining.

This year the theme is 'Together, we care' and I am here to say that I do care and I will care if you need a compassionate, bespoke and completely personal ceremony for your lost pregnancy or lost baby, no matter how long ago it was. There is no time limit on grief.

I am a caring celebrant and I always receive good feedback from my clients. I can also offer sensitive naming ceremonies for babies born after a loss. My email address is merielwhale@protonmail.com.

I hope you can find ways to nurture yourself this week.

This Baby Loss Awareness Week we are coming together to in support of all those whose much-loved and much-missed babies died too soon.

09/10/2025

It's the start of (Oct 9-15) and as celebrants, many of us have supported bereaved families navigating life after the very sad loss of their little ones.

To find out how you can support The Lullaby Trust, visit https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/find-support-or-discover-how-to-support-others-this-baby-loss-awareness-week/ and perhaps light a candle in remembrance of little ones who have gone to the stars. ✨

If you know someone in need of support, the trust is available by calling 0808 802 6868 or emailing: support@lullabytrust.org.uk.

07/10/2025

The first leaf has been sold on our new memorial tree, this is a new and beautiful way to remember your loved ones with the option of purchasing for five, ten, twenty years and perpetuity. For more information please contact our memorial consultant Christine, she will be happy to speak with you. 🥰

06/10/2025

What makes your days feel full enough?

25/09/2025

I'm here for all genders and all sexualities, spiritual or secular, bookish and literary, nature based or outdoor ceremonies.

I'm here if you want something different, quirky, colourful, entirely your own.

I'm here for simple, genuine and heartfelt ceremonies, where your style is celebrated, as it is.

I'm here for highly personalised and real ceremonies, where you will feel both visible and accepted as you are, true to you.

• I’m proudly queer and a trans ally
• You’ll be able to feel comfortable and safe with me
• I have a quirky and fun, while also classy, dress sense
• I am comfortable being myself and I’ll help you feel comfortable to find the right ceremony for you
• I come highly praised for my ability to write beautiful prose, find exactly the right poem or reading and deliver my ceremonies with heartfelt genuineness
• People often comment on my beautiful smile, kindness and warmth
• I will serve you well because I will be able to do a deep dive to get to know you and match the ceremony directly to your needs without preconceptions or fixed ideas. I will be able to be thoughtful as well as light-hearted and fun.

Most of all, I will be calm, focused and on your side/with you as we travel together towards your ideal day which will be memorable for all the right reasons.

You will feel seen and the whole experience will be infused with love and care and with affirmation and celebration as you are

Most of all, I'll create the right ceremony for you, not one size fits all.

I am a writer, reader, cat lover, wild swimmer, walker and I love really good shoes!

23/09/2025

To all bi people, Happy Bi Visibility Day. I pledge to affirm your bi identity in my work as a celebrant, no matter who you are marrying or committing to. Contact me at merielwhale@protonmail.com to find out more about LGBTQIA+ affirmative celebrations of love and commitment and of loss and grief.

09/09/2025

Sometimes it's good to do a reintroduction.
My name is Meriel Whale. Meriel Whale Counselling

I'm a counsellor and a celebrant.

I offer great gay weddings and civil partnerships, compassionate and personalised funerals and ceremonies of loss and grief and counselling to all, but especially those in the queer, neurodivergent and childless communities (individuals and those in relationships of all kinds).

My ceremonies can be secular, spiritual or nature based/pagan and include full handfasting ceremonies. The most important thing is that they are completely bespoke - if it isn't right for you, then it isn't right.

The same principles apply to my counselling, built on the core conditions of empathy, unconditional positive regard and realness. I'll craft it to your needs and goals, offering creative, practical, intuitive and gentle counselling. You'll feel heard and understood and be helped to move forward in whatever way feels right for you.

Email me at merielwhale@protonmail.com for a free and no obligation conversation about counselling or ceremonies. I look forward to talking to you.

10/07/2025

I love to read. This is important to me as a celebrant because being a good reader also makes me a good writer and because I can advise you on poetry, book extracts and other literary delights for your ceremony. Do get in touch if you would like to find out more: www.merielwhalecelebrant.co.uk

10/07/2025

If you'd like a service - a funeral, wedding, handfasting, grief support service or naming - with spiritual, pagan or nature based elements then please do get in touch to talk about how it could look for you. www.merielwhalecelebrant.co.uk