Cherish Funeral Celebrant

09/06/2023

I’ve a very special funeral service today, for the farewell to a man who amassed over 32,000hrs flying time: in the RAF, in commercial aviation and as an instructor. Incredibly, he was still flying at the age of 90.
As a tribute, I’m wearing the precious gold RAF wings gifted to my mum in law from my pa in law and in turn, she gifted them to me in her will.
Per Ardua ad Astra.

06/06/2023

Thinking today of those who gave their lives in wartime.

I love this poem. When it is read well, it is magnificent, and I have the honour this week of reading it at the funeral of a gentleman who was a pilot all his life; firstly in the Royal Air Force and then as a commercial pilot. He was a flying instructor, at the Central Flying School and in retirement at flying clubs, and still working into his 80s.

‘High Flight’ – John Gillespie Magee

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air ....

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

29/05/2023

Speak their name. Tell their stories. They’re only fully gone when we no longer speak about them 💜

03/04/2023

A lovely thank you message and flowers after a funeral ceremony; the fifth time for the same family in almost 10 years 💜

31/12/2022

Wishing you a peaceful end to the year 💜

AT THE END OF THE YEAR

As this year draws to its end,
We give thanks for the gifts it brought
And how they became inlaid within
Where neither time nor tide can touch them...

Days when beloved faces shone brighter
With light from beyond themselves;
And from the granite of some secret sorrow
A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,
For all we loved and lost
And for the quiet way it brought us
Nearer to our invisible destination.

JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from the blessing, 'At the End of the Year,' from the books
Benedictus (Europe) / To Bless the Space Between Us (US)
Ordering Info: https://johnodonohue.com/store

Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill

02/11/2022

“All Souls' Day” by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

You might know his more famous painting, The Birth of Venus …

02/11/2022

It’s not often as a funeral celebrant, that we ever get to meet the person who has died.
I had the privilege of meeting Derek and his family when we were arranging his wife’s ceremony . He truly was a remarkable man, and I’m so glad I was able to be of service to his lovely family. They all did him proud yesterday .

What a lovely message to receive from them 🙏🏼

Hello Judy.

The family and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the beautiful service you arranged and led for the Celebration of our amazing Dad, Granddad and Pops life. Again like mum's Celebration of life back in 2017 you spoke like you are truly part of our family and life long friend. Attention to detail was amazing and the tributes you read and the eulogy were beyond what what we could gave wished for.
Thank you again for your Service Judy. Very much appreciated.

You were truly amazing and made the day so special for all of us ###

26/10/2022

I never take a thank you for granted, and it is so kind of families to take the time to write to me after a service. To know that a ceremony was as they wanted it to be warms my heart.

I had this lovely message today:

"Good morning Judy,
Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the wonderful service you gave us on Monday. It was perfect and went just as I wanted it to. I have had lots of people say how lovely it was and one even said “as far as send offs go it was right up there as one of the best”.
Pete would have loved the many red tributes to his beloved Liverpool, and the fire engine was a lovely surprise as it wasn’t organised until 4o’clock that morning! Afraid that tipped me over the edge!
Once again, thank you so much. You are the best in the business!
[Name] ### "

26/10/2022

Balloons are a very evocative visual symbol - but as this article says, harmful to nature. There are some useful alternatives suggested…

In recent years, memorial balloon releases have become more popular. But while releasing hundreds of balloons in a person's memory may seem like a wonderful idea, it’s not so good for the planet.

Here are some alternatives you can try instead.
➡ https://coop.uk/3SqxZQW

26/10/2022

The server on my Cherish Ceremonies account is down so I’m not receiving e-mails - I’ve put in an enquiry but in the meantime, please use my personal email (DM if you need it ). Thank you, and apologies for inconvenience)