Eric McGirr Independent Celebrant

Eric McGirr Independent Celebrant An Independent Celebrant, working alongside families to help them plan, create, and deliver ceremonies which celebrate their loved one's life.

For me, I normally do ceremonies for those on TWO legs. Whereas my old pal from school, Jane Reilly, along with her daug...
31/03/2026

For me, I normally do ceremonies for those on TWO legs. Whereas my old pal from school, Jane Reilly, along with her daughter Rhianna, provide comfort and compassion to families of those on FOUR legs, at Eildon View Equine & Pet Crematorium.

They're so amazing at what they do, that they've been nominated as finalists in the 2026 National Pet Awards.

If you can spare a moment, give them a wee vote please πŸ™ πŸ•β€πŸ¦ΊπŸŽπŸ‡πŸ±

Voting closes tomorrow at noon. Thankyou.

"What made you become a celebrant?" Each time I get asked this, I take comfort in telling folk that by giving our mum a ...
30/03/2026

"What made you become a celebrant?"

Each time I get asked this, I take comfort in telling folk that by giving our mum a celebration of life where she chose the music, the hymns and the poems, and where our memories were shared during her eulogy, I feel that helped with our grieving process in the days, weeks and months that followed...

Therefore, in tribute to her, I decided to become a celebrant, with the aim of assisting others through a similarly difficult time, and I carry her memory with me every time I lead a ceremony for a family.

Think of her always, and today especially, on what would've been Janet's 83rd birthday. β€οΈπŸ™

Definitely worth a visit for the cake and cuppa alone... πŸ°β˜•οΈ
28/03/2026

Definitely worth a visit for the cake and cuppa alone... πŸ°β˜•οΈ

Tonight... I've lit 2 candles,  and poured 2 drams... for 2 soulmates. ❀️❀️Anne met her first love, Rod Stewart, at Rath...
26/03/2026

Tonight... I've lit 2 candles, and poured 2 drams... for 2 soulmates. ❀️❀️

Anne met her first love, Rod Stewart, at Ratho Golf Club in 1975. But even Sir Rod was no match for Brycie, with his Mk1 Ford Es**rt that he bought for Β£100.

Iain and Anne were inseparable for over 4 decades, travelling the world & raising their labradors, right up until they both passed, just 3 days apart. And today, hundreds of family, friends, and their labrador Piper came to bid them farewell.

Iain & Anne once said, "In sickness and in health, until death do us part". They lived that promise. Not just as words, but as truth in action.

True love, and devotion, 'til the very end.πŸ₯ƒπŸ₯ƒ

Maroon plumes on the horses this morning, for the final journey of a lifelong Hearts man.❀️
19/03/2026

Maroon plumes on the horses this morning, for the final journey of a lifelong Hearts man.❀️

Time to reflect... Inspired to do this role by my late mum, my first funeral service came less than 3 years ago, when my...
12/03/2026

Time to reflect...

Inspired to do this role by my late mum, my first funeral service came less than 3 years ago, when my dear friend Steph gave me the privilege of leading the funeral for her Gran, AND her Grandad, Agnes & Bobby, born weeks apart, passed weeks apart.

A double service on Day 1... what a start.

The journey since has been incredibly emotional, with every service, and every individual, unique in their own ways.

Today, after leading service number 200... I received a phone call asking if I would lead a double service for a husband and wife, who passed just 3 DAYS apart...

2 loving couples, together forever. And 1 extremely privileged, and humbled celebrant.
β€οΈπŸ™

In 2012, our mum was put in a medically induced coma, and the doctor told us he didn't expect her to make it through the...
13/02/2026

In 2012, our mum was put in a medically induced coma, and the doctor told us he didn't expect her to make it through the night. But thanks to what we believe was her spirit, her faith, and the amazing staff of the Intensive Care Unit, she did last... and 15 weeks later, she left hospital.

We thanked the ICU staff with a painting whose message was... 'There will be dark days. But in time, there can also be light'.

We witnessed a good friend, and other families who were in ICU at the same time, lose their loved ones before their time. And whilst we were blessed with another decade of mum’s life, those sentiments echoed in our own grief, after she passed in 2022.

Grief can be as dark as it gets, and it never leaves you. But for those grieving, hopefully in time, you too can find light, (in your own time, at your own pace, and when it feels right for you) in the memories of your loved ones. πŸ™

Not all my posts involve drams. However...Today hit another spot, with 2 services for men who both got dealt the toughes...
05/02/2026

Not all my posts involve drams. However...

Today hit another spot, with 2 services for men who both got dealt the toughest of cards in life.

Not only was Hughie a fine man and dad to 3 good friends in Coco, Ally & Leigh, but he loved his golf, his family, and he had lunch on a patio in Spain, sitting next to Tony Christie!

'Hugh the Roof', also worked on the roofs of Islay's distilleries for a decade... hence a peaty malt has been openedπŸ₯ƒ

Rest easy Gents. πŸ™

Tonights dram(s) raised to... Matt and May.Met at Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom.Married in 1961. Moved to Craigshill, Li...
03/02/2026

Tonights dram(s) raised to... Matt and May.

Met at Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom.
Married in 1961.
Moved to Craigshill, Livingston in 1969.
Lived there until the end.

63 years married πŸ’
55 years in Pine Grove 🏠
Jived every year they were together πŸ•ΊπŸ’ƒ

Every ceremony for every family, that I'm asked to lead, is an honour. Just when I feel my heart is thick enough to distance myself from the grief that is present... along come a couple who showed us how life SHOULD be lived.

13 months ago I led the ceremony for May, and today, it was for her Matt. Even in their final days together in the home, when a singer came to entertain, Matt nudged his soulmate, and After All These Years, they got up for their final Jive together.❀️

Sleep well, Mr & Mrs Ferguson... you really got to me... 63 years!!! 😒πŸ₯ƒ

Once again, those that have gone before us are very much in our thoughts at Christmas. And for all the families who expe...
22/12/2025

Once again, those that have gone before us are very much in our thoughts at Christmas.

And for all the families who experienced loss in 2025, and who are facing their first Christmas without someone who meant everything to them... I thank you, for the humble privilege of being able to learn about their lives, and to be with you to as you said your goodbyes.

From those who lived a long and eventful life, to those who were close in age to myself, and to those who never got to see the beauty of life itself. πŸ™

Unfortunately, my liver doesn't thank you, on account of my post-ceremony tradition of raising a dram to those who have passedπŸ₯ƒ

Wishing everyone a peaceful, and a Merry Christmas, and may you cherish every moment with those closest to you, in 2026.
πŸŽ„β€οΈ

Something different...Yesterday's interment of ashes was for Dorothy Sowersby, mum to 2 of my lifelong mates, Paul and M...
07/12/2025

Something different...

Yesterday's interment of ashes was for Dorothy Sowersby, mum to 2 of my lifelong mates, Paul and Miggy.❀️

Your mum's mates are a big part of your life, (they DID create yer mates!), and sadly, their numbers grow fewer.πŸ™

Thankyou Dot, for being you, and for one of the last times I saw you recently, when you burnt yer toast!!! 🍞

Today was a tale of 2 ties! First, the red, white and blue was donned in memory of my stepsister's mum Anne, a fine wee ...
05/12/2025

Today was a tale of 2 ties!

First, the red, white and blue was donned in memory of my stepsister's mum Anne, a fine wee woman who lived a life full of fun, and who loved animals more than David Attenborough!

Then, after a colour change that Mo Johnston would be proud of, my first service at Dunfermline where the green was donned for Alex, a patriot and a Hibby, from the amazing MacDonald family.

β€οΈπŸ€πŸ’™ πŸ™ πŸ’šπŸ€πŸ’š

Address

Uddingston

Telephone

+447462082094

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Eric McGirr Independent Celebrant posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Eric McGirr Independent Celebrant:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram