Betheny Stokes Independent Civil Celebrant

24/05/2025

Signs are there even when you don’t notice them. 🤍

15/03/2025

Whenever I am missing you, I also remember how fortunate I was that you were in my life. I wouldn’t trade those moments for the world. 🤍🕊️

13/03/2025

Proud, Privileged & Professional.

About Me:
I am Betheny Stokes, and I am an established independent Funeral Celebrant.

This means I am able to officiate funerals. As a celebrant I am able to perform a funeral at the crematorium or a graveside, with religious beliefs involved as much or as little as you would like.

I work very closely with families to create and deliver a personalised ceremony. I focus on making each and every service unique and meaningful to reflect the wishes and values of the family.

Alongside this I offer memorial services, internment of ashes & even a living tribute for those who wish.

Please contact me in confidence if you have any questions.

Betheny 🤍

30/12/2024

Wishing everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year. 🎇🎊

A new year doesn’t mean we forget those gone before us, we shall keep their memories alive; by speaking their names, telling their stories and loving them.

25/12/2024

Please help make a difference! 🎄🤍

Some of you may already know me however, those who don’t I am Beth. Christmas is a time for cele… Beth Stokes needs your support for Children at Christmas

24/12/2024

Thinking of everyone this Christmas!
🎄🤍

19/12/2024

Christmas is hard for many people, but ultimately it is just another day.

We can celebrate the day, the people present and those gone before us, celebrating their life and what they meant to us as that is what they would’ve wished for.

If Christmas is hard,
If you’ve lost someone dear.
Just look in your heart,
And you’ll know they’re still here.

The star in the sky,
The light falling snow
The robin outside,
It seems like they know.

If this is a time,
When you’re struggling through.
Just do what you can,
For what matters, is you.

There’s no need to be merry,
There’s no need to bright.
Just do what you can,
It will all be alright.

A beautiful poem by Lorna Gibson

22/11/2024

Today is Funeral Celebrant Day - A day dedicated to us as celebrants, for the work we do with our families to bring together the best service for their loved ones.
I thoroughly love my job and I am honoured to support families in their time of need! 🤍

It’s HERE! The first ever Funeral Celebrant Day, acknowledging the great work of funeral celebrants across the nation. Please feel free to tag a funeral celebrant below and tell them how fabulous they are, or perhaps you could write an ode or a poem to acknowledge the fantastic work you all do.

We’ll start you off …

A Ode to the Funeral Celebrant,
by Anon in the AOIC office! (Apologies to the poet laureates among you!!)

A family calls, a celebrant hears,
A shoulder to lean on through falling tears,
A gentle unwavering guiding hand,
As a family searches through unfamiliar land.

The celebrant ponders while heading for home,
Considering feelings of those now alone,
Tired and weary they put up their feet,
Content that a busy day is complete.

A family has now laid a loved one to rest,
The celebrant knows they are truly blessed,
A piece of the jigsaw as life finds its end,
To help on the journey a loved one and friend.

10/03/2024

Mother’s Day is a hard day for many.
Many mums who have lost children, children/people who have lost mums, women who wish to be a mum, women who are grieving their babies…

Not everyone will have a “happy” day, yet we all will feel mixed emotions for today.
So I wish you all a hopeful day and do what is right for you.

Even though they aren’t with us, they are in your heart, mind & memory!

01/03/2024

How lovely would it be to share a brief clip/snippets of your life?
In this digital world there are companies who offer to create a QR Code that can be stuck on or engraved on anything from a headstone, plaque, even a memorial bench. That QR Code which takes people to a dedicated page all about that person.
Bringing the story of your loved one to life.
Now I feel this is something beautiful to share.

Please note : These images are not recommendations of a companies to use.
They are merely to show the kind of thing available.

01/03/2024

We’ve recently been away celebrating my birthday & whilst away we stood at the top of the hill watching the sunset 🌅
It really was a beautiful view.

We draw our comforts where we do.
This little one paid us a little visit outside our lodge in the morning.
The timing was impeccable.❣️

28/02/2024

Helping children to express their grief.

Creating a Memory Collage with children can help them express their grief - giving them a safe space to discuss and recall their own memories.
Children can be encouraged to add pictures or draw pictures of their loved ones who have passed away.

Ensure they have a range of items to utilise - glue, scissors, stickers, glitter, pens and pencils. Once completed encourage them to talk through their collage they have created and the memories they have of each of those photos/drawings.🤍