Lives Celebrated - Mansfield funeral and wedding celebrant Wayne Swiffin

26/03/2026

New memorial garden. What a nice thing to have done.

23/03/2026

A service over at Memoria Amber Valley Memorial Park & Crematorium this morning.

The lady was a character who made people smile, lifted them up, encouraged them.

As such, there was some humour in the service. It reflected the lady’s approach to life.

And, an amazing poem I read out had been written by the lady’s granddaughter.

20/03/2026

Interesting article.

I have often spoken with people who have been told they have to count their lives in days, weeks, or months rather than decades.

And it's fascinating to hear how people respond to the devastating news of a terminal diagnosis.

Some have a rather stoic approach, a sort of let's get on with it.

Some have a somewhat more bellicose approach, fighting as if in battle.

Others have an approach that says they will do what they want and when, whether they do small things or tick things off a bucket list, like sky diving or going to Disney.

There is no right or wrong, everyone is different.

The six times Olympic cycling champion says a "bucket list" is less important than learning to appreciate special small things "in the moment".

19/03/2026

Some nice words that a gentleman’s neice has allowed me to share as a testimonial.

The chap seems to have been a lovely person and certainly devoted to his wife.

He wasn’t into being politically correct, and he was also known as a bit of a “badass”!

So the service to celebrate his life was respectful and traditional, but certainly written with a smile.

19/03/2026

Made me smile.

Here’s one of my more reflective poems, written while waiting for a train at a provincial railway station.

15/03/2026

It’s Mother’s Day today.

Celebrate your mums today.

But I’m particularly thinking of those who have lost their mums.

It’s the honour of my life to lead funeral services for many people, including of course, much-loved mums.

So here’s a picture of me mum, Sylvia, who died a few years ago just a few weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Among many things, she had been a teacher, a borough councillor, and a classically-trained singer.

And she (and me dad) had adopted me and my younger brother when we were knee high to a grasshopper.

Sylvia was my mum.

And I’ll think of her today.

11/03/2026

A visit to Huthwaite, in Ashfield, yesterday to see a family.

I’ve led quite a few funeral services for Huthwaite people.

We used to live in Huthwaite, loved it there.

Our first house. The house we brought our two children home to after they came into this world.

There was a working men’s club across the road, shops, a petrol station, a post office, and a country park too.

This photo is taken atop nearby where Strawberry Bank which is apparently the highest point in Nottinghamshire.

(Another place, Annesley, also claims that accolade and I’m never sure which is correct).

The view from this point is far and wide. Many, many years ago it would have been countryside, then mining, the M1 motorway, shopping malls, and warehouses.

Clearly, I can’t complain about the warehouses - Mrs S and my eldest lad work in them, and my youngest did for a time.

Anyway, shortly I am away to lead a graveside service, also in Ashfield.

The shoes have been polished, there’s a brolly in the car just in case it rains, and I am just going over my notes once again.

07/03/2026

Big day for Mansfield Town Football Club who play host to Arsenal today in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

I’ll be there. The excitement is real. Can we do it? Who knows, it’s the magic of the cup…

But, I’ll also be thinking of the Stags fans whose funerals I have led over the years (and indeed this week) who would have loved to have been at this match.

06/03/2026

A lovely thing to do.

Tomorrow (7 March) one of the trees in front of our office at The Arc will be turned into a Covid Memorial tree.

Local resident Nicola has done this each year since she was able, to remember her husband and the many others who lost their lives due to Covid-19.

The tree will be covered in yellow ribbons and hearts which will remain in place for three weeks.

22/02/2026

Funeral services should, in my opinion, reflect what the deceased would have wanted and what their nearest and dearest want.

That’s why celebrants should approach each service with a blank piece of paper.

Should a service be full of humour? Yes, if that’s what’s required.

Should a service be sombre? Yes, if that’s what is required.

Let’s Settle This. Black outfits and quiet hymns…or bright colours and big stories? For some, it’s about reflection. For others, it’s about raising a glass. And sometimes, it’s both. Where do you stand? 🩵

18/02/2026

Hi all.

Looking to create a directory of businesses and people in and around the Mansfield and Ashfield area that are involved in the funeral and wedding sectors.

So, as well as funeral directors, florists, wake and wedding venues, there might be caterers, or stationery specialists, printers, or wedding dress shops.

Please share and tag businesses and people in the comments below.

Thank you.

Wayne

(A funeral and wedding celebrant).

The picture is an AI version of me as a celebrant.

16/02/2026

Such kind words following a recent service.

The service told the tale of a quiet lady who was caring and loving, and a rock for her family and friends when they needed her.

There was humour in the service (largely centered around jovial sibling rivalry), and there was also The Lord's Prayer too.

But in essence, it was written about the lady but most definitley for the people she has left behind.

She will be so missed, she will be remembered fondly and with a smile.