Sarah Burley Celebrant

13/01/2026

Flowers at a funeral are often placed upon the coffin, but on a chilly day, these were a most spectacular arrangement, placed first in the crematorium and then taken to the reception.
Floral work by Leonoor at Rose&Mary!!

07/01/2026

It’s so important to know this, even though most of don’t experience it more than once or twice in a lifetime.
When a loved one died at home, I thought the funeral director needed to attend immediately. (My 4am call was probably not popular but they were so lovely and understanding)
Whether or not you have a loved one in hospice care, the information is an important read, simply because nobody tells us how to behave, and what we might expect, when a life is completed.

This is what it can look like after someone dies on hospice at home.
An empty bed.
A quiet room.
Lights off because nothing else needs doing yet.

Death doesn’t immediately trigger urgency the way movies suggest.
There is time.
As they teach us in death doula classes, "Put the kettle on...". There is time.

After death, hospice will confirm it, either in person or by phone, depending on your care plan and the state rules. Once death is pronounced, the body is legally allowed to remain in the home for hours. You are not required to call the funeral home right away.

Here are some things that may happen in that space between death and removal and all of them are normal:

• The body will begin to cool
• The skin may become pale or mottled
• The jaw may relax and the mouth may open slightly
• The eyes may remain partially open
• There may be small releases of air or fluid
• The room may feel very still, emotionally and physically

You can take this time if you want it.
You can sit on the bed.
You can hold their hand.
You can wash their face, brush their hair, say prayers, talk to them, or say nothing at all.
You can open a window.
You can let the room be exactly as quiet as it needs to be.

There is no rush unless you want there to be one.

When you’re ready, hospice or the funeral home will handle the next steps. Until then, this space belongs to you, not paperwork, not timelines, not logistics.

No alarms.
No countdown.
Just the pause after a life has ended and before the world starts moving again.

If you’ve never seen this part before, that’s okay.
Most people haven’t.

24/12/2025

To those who have lost a loved one, a friend, a parent, son or daughter, I hope you know that while there is an empty chair at your table, a glass unpoured, a laugh ringing only in the echoes of your memories, my thoughts are with you all.
My hope is that you can take them with you in this festive moment, celebrate for them, and perhaps remember what it is to feel joy and love.
None of us are promised tomorrow but we honour them by making our lives full, and happy, loving and caring. It does not diminish them to live well for the days still gifted to us.
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have told their stories, returned memories to the bereaved and sat with the families of those who have completed their lives.
I wish you all a peaceful and joyful Christmas.

19/12/2025

Last week I made someone cry.
Ok, so full disclosure I’m often with people who cry, because tears are part of working with the bereaved, which I do most days. But this was different. We were talking about her wedding.
And her regrets.
Not regretting the marriage, or the choice of husband, (she was very much in love!)
But she cried as she told me how she’d wished she had known that on her wedding day, she could have made different choices.
She didn’t realise in time that she could have chosen a celebrant, and not just used the registrar who she thought she was obliged to ‘go with.’
It was meant to be the perfect beginning to their lives, but it wasn’t exactly what she would have chosen if she had known that so many choices were available.
And the realisation made her cry.
My heart aches for her, because she’ll always think of her wedding as slightly less than perfect, no matter how happy the marriage.
Getting married is a legal matter but it is also the most important moment for couples, declaring their love and their vows, sharing their joy and beginning their journey together.
It’s meant to be unique and personal and unforgettably amazing …. (And yes, it also includes a legal contract between the couple.)
But it broke my heart to hear that this bride had regrets about her big day.
If you’re already planning your wedding, planning to propose (or hoping to accept a proposal) please feel free to ask me anything about ways to make the day one that won’t leave you regretting anything:
The choices you wish you had made before.
The options you haven’t considered or been told about.
A marriage is a lifetime commitment, but a wedding should be a once in a lifetime moment that leaves you both with perfect memories.
I am a celebrant, after many years of catering. There’s little I haven’t seen or learned about the perfect or imperfect wedding choices. (First choice should be the perfect life partner, of course!)
Ask me anything.
Make it the perfect day, so the tears flow with joy, not regrets!

Photo of me… 30 years of happy marriage also with a thousand things I’d also do differently now!

14/12/2025

A really lovely tradition of creating a memory table with personal touches from family members. Lots of beautiful tributes were spoken by family and friends, who also performed music to begin and end the proceedings.
Babs would have loved to be remembered this way, while living and dying with the mantra of doing good things for others, and donating her body to medical science.

11/12/2025

This week I was helping at a community Christmas event and met a wonderful lady who has kindly taken an interest in my work and we discussed ‘alternatives’ to the more commonly chosen 25 minute crematorium funerals.
Even at a party, it’s still okay to chat about life, death and funeral wishes in a positive way!
So these lovely photos are to show the beautiful Clandon Wood natural burial ground. A great option for those who want to leave a lower carbon footprint and choose a sustainable nature reserve, where family can return and watch the swallows and dragon flies on the pond, the butterflies in the meadow, and know loved ones rest peacefully in beautiful surroundings.

04/12/2025

Everyone is the central character in their own story.
I recently read an article by a fellow celebrant that (in speaking of his role leading funerals) said he was the “last person to tell their story” The article was by a truly respectful, humble and honest man, giving thanks for the privilege of our role, as celebrants and officiants.
But then I stopped and thought how differently I view my own part in a funeral service.
…Because I want to be the reason I’m NOT the last person to tell their story. I want families to feel able to continue to tell the stories and share the memories of the lives I have had the honour to speak of.
I am not the last person to speak of someone who has died. I am the one who curates their stories… true stories… to draw out the very best moments of lives that have been completed. I speak of the lives of people’s loved ones. I tell their story.
But I hope those stories are told again and again, like the well thumbed pages of a much loved book.
If you have a story that is ready to be told, please feel free to call me.

01/12/2025

What a wonderful gift brought to my door by a family member, following the funeral of their loved one. Unexpected thanks from lovely people. It means the world. ❤️

27/11/2025

Sometimes the sheer beauty of a flower can take my breath away. These roses were just exquisite. It almost broke my heart to walk away from them.
But I know many broken hearts said goodbye to their loved ones today. I had the privilege to lead two services (and contribute to a third today.)
What an incredible job I have and what an honour it is to bring the best memories back to loved ones.