Oak Celebrant Services

Oak Celebrant Services Funeral Celebrant My name is Simon Oak, and I am a funeral celebrant based on the outskirts of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. I also love to travel.

Born and bred in the city, I genuinely cannot think of an area of the country I would rather live. The city, the surrounding towns and villages, the countryside, the sporting and arts scene. I live in a great place, and the people that live here are some of the warmest, kindest, most genuine and straight talking people that I have met anywhere in the world. I have a wonderful wife, and have been b

lessed with twin daughters, both of whom I am immensely proud of. In my spare time I’m a keen runner, competing at masters level, and I love to watch football and motor racing. I regularly attend live music and comedy, and I like to walk and enjoy the nature that we are blessed with in our area. After 30 years as a manager in the construction industry, a sector I love, but found increasingly difficult to enjoy, I took the decision to retrain in celebrancy. Throughout my life I had been asked to write eulogies and read at weddings and funerals for family and friends, so it seemed like a natural path to follow. I chose UKSOC to train me, as they’re a leading light in celebrancy, and my membership offers you some unique guarantees that other organisations do not give. So what does my new role entail? We all know that we cannot live forever. Some are blessed with a long and fruitful life, whilst others are taken far too soon. Having lost my dad and my brother at an early age, I know this all too well. Regardless of when we go and how we go, I know that we all have a story to tell, and my role is to tell that story. You might like to think of me as a biographer. Losing someone is never easy, but I will work closely with you to give your loved one a unique ceremony which places them at the centre. Whatever you think is fitting, I will strive to deliver. I will play as big or as small a part on the day as you wish, but I will take charge of the preparations for the ceremony, and will see to it that the deceased receives a send of that they would love. If you know exactly what you want, I can make that a reality. If you have no idea where to start, I can guide you through the process of creating a ceremony, and suggest music, poems, readings or prayers that you may wish to include. I am happy to lead funerals from completely humanist celebrations of life through to full on Christian faith-based ceremonies. What is most important to me is that I create a unique ceremony to suit the desires of the one we are saying goodbye to and their loved ones. I will lead cremations, burials, resomations and memorial services at a location that you think suits the occasion the best. My role is to serve and support you however I can, in what can be a very distressing time. I regularly work in South Yorkshire, North East Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire, but if you want me to travel further afield, then I’m happy to discuss that as well. Feel free to contact me if my services are of interest, or if you simply have more questions that you would like to ask. There’s no charge for a chat, and it might just take a weight off your mind. Thanks for taking time to look at my page.

Despite having been a funeral celebrant for a number of years now, and with may ceremonies under my belt, there are stil...
07/05/2026

Despite having been a funeral celebrant for a number of years now, and with may ceremonies under my belt, there are still new experiences, and last week had two of them. On Monday, I led my first funeral at the beautiful Apperknowle Natural Burial Ground. It's a glorious place to lay a loved one to rest and the weather was on our side, despite the forecast. Then, on Wednesday, I led a private memorial for a lady in the home of her daughter, with a small group of family and friends in attendance. Whilst I've done memorials before, this was my first at someone's home, but it was a very special and intimate experience.

The sun was shining last Thursday for Michael fogg Family  Funeral Directors Open Morning. The event was the first throw...
30/04/2026

The sun was shining last Thursday for Michael fogg Family Funeral Directors Open Morning. The event was the first thrown by the Jepson family, since they took the business over from Michael & Cheryl. There was a good attendance from the community, who were given a back of house tour and enjoyed some lovely cakes and sausage rolls whilst sat in the newly refurbished lounge area. Star of the show was who was presented with a cheque for £1,560 towards his Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising drive. Why he's not been knighted yet is a mystery!

In my last post I mentioned that there was a new type of funeral being developed. Burial and cremation are well establis...
23/04/2026

In my last post I mentioned that there was a new type of funeral being developed. Burial and cremation are well established in the UK, and I've previously posted about resomation (water cremation), which is now legal in Britain but is still not seeing much take up. A fourth option is currently being considered by the Law Commission and their report is due to be published imminently. That option is terramation.

So what is terramation? Well it's also called human composting. Terramation is a process that transforms human remains into nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition. Instead of using traditional embalming chemicals, caskets, and burial vaults, the body is placed in a specially designed vessel with a mixture of wood chips, straw, and other organic materials. Over the course of several weeks, microbes break down the organic matter, generating heat and reducing the body to a rich, fertile soil. The soil that is left is returned to the family and can then be used to grow a memorial tree or something similar, leaving a lasting memory. The process is a low-energy process that produces little to no greenhouse gases, so environmentally is makes good sense.

Is it for you? At the moment it's a decision that you don't have to make, but if terramation becomes legal in whichever country that you live in (it's already legal in some US states) then it might be the way that you choose to go.

Spring has truly sprung and the colours at Mansfield Crematorium this week were stunning. It makes going to work so much...
16/04/2026

Spring has truly sprung and the colours at Mansfield Crematorium this week were stunning. It makes going to work so much more enjoyable. As well as funerals and family meetings, I've also been reading about a new type of funeral that is trying to get approval in the UK. More on that next week.

The beautiful weather of this week was welcomed as I led the last goodbye for a retired firefighter at  Crematorium. The...
09/04/2026

The beautiful weather of this week was welcomed as I led the last goodbye for a retired firefighter at Crematorium. The flag bearers from the added a fitting touch for a man who risked his life helping to save others. It was an honour to be a part of.

As we approach the long weekend, I'd just like to wish all my followers a happy Easter. If this is an important time for...
02/04/2026

As we approach the long weekend, I'd just like to wish all my followers a happy Easter. If this is an important time for you, then I hope that it is a poignant and uplifting few days. If you just view it as a time to be enjoyed, then I hope it's fun. Don't overdo it on the eggs 🐣

🐣🐇

Earlier this month I led a funeral at a new crematorium for me, Bramcote in Nottingham. A council run facility with seat...
26/03/2026

Earlier this month I led a funeral at a new crematorium for me, Bramcote in Nottingham. A council run facility with seating for over a hundred, the mourners for this huge Nottingham Forest fan took up all of the seats, and all of the standing room, and filled the foyer as well, which thankfully has a screen and speakers, so they were still able to see the ceremony. There was also the biggest and most intricate floral display that I've seen, the crest of the city of Nottingham. It was a memorable send off, working alongside . Rest in peace Trev.

Like several crematoria and graveyards, CMG Rotherham Crematorium & Cemeteries have introduced their own natural burial ...
19/03/2026

Like several crematoria and graveyards, CMG Rotherham Crematorium & Cemeteries have introduced their own natural burial area, in a quiet spot at the far end of their land. It offers a nice alternative to the uniformity of a traditional graveyard and I look forward to seeing it mature and flourish over the coming years.

After a long, wet British winter, it's so nice to see the early signs of spring appearing around the crematoriums that I...
05/03/2026

After a long, wet British winter, it's so nice to see the early signs of spring appearing around the crematoriums that I work at. On Tuesday I was at Chesterfield and had a few moments to take a walk around the grounds before the ceremony. I appreciate that there may well be some of winter to come, but it's so nice to have the lighter mornings, longer nights, sunshine and nature's early spring colours.

A new one for me today. The first ceremony that I've led in the woodland section at Worksop's Hannah Park Cemetery. A tr...
15/01/2026

A new one for me today. The first ceremony that I've led in the woodland section at Worksop's Hannah Park Cemetery. A tree is planted at the head of each grave, and over the years it will become an extension to the adjacent woodland.

Happy new year to you all. Last year I led a ceremony for a gentleman, following which his wife sent me a lovely thank y...
08/01/2026

Happy new year to you all. Last year I led a ceremony for a gentleman, following which his wife sent me a lovely thank you and some poems that she had written. It was a complete surprise when, on Christmas Eve, another package dropped through the letter box with a poetry book featuring one of her poems, along with some other handwritten pieces. She also sent me a lovely letter updating me on how she was getting on. It's tough losing a loved one, but I'm so glad that she's still found purpose since her husband's passing. Let's hope that 2026 is a good year for her and for everyone else as well.

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West Bank Drive
Sheffield
S255

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