Gillian Perry celebrant

04/03/2026

Leading a funeral today for a beloved dad whose three daughters have worked so hard to make sure his ceremony reflects the inspirational man he was. And he loved Wales. So I’ve made us all a little corsage to wear in his honour. Cymru am Byth B.

01/03/2026

Today is the day to celebrate Wales and everything that makes this land and its people so special. A long rich history….and the best National Anthem in the world!

01/03/2026

If you are in the Hereford area, this could be for you. It’s so important that we all take the opportunity to talk about death and to have a better understanding of what happens when we die and what the options are.

As we step into March next week, we have a Coffee & Chat afternoon in our Gaol Street Branch. Feel free to pop in, have a cuppa & a natter and maybe a slice of cake! 💞

20/02/2026

I’ve held two family meetings this week. Two very different circumstances. Two very different funerals to write. But what struck me as such an important part of being a celebrant, is being able to create a safe, unhurried and warm space for families to talk openly about their loved ones. It may be the first conversation they’ve had together since their loved one died. Or maybe the first time they’ve really felt able to express their relationship with that special person. It doesn’t really matter what they use this time for. The fact that it has been made available to them, is what is important.

20/02/2026

Beautiful. SANDS helped me through my grief, but it would have been lovely to have been able to read this book to my daughter to explain when her little brother was.

17/02/2026

This is quite lovely. Describing loss to a child, beautifully explained.

16/02/2026

During dark times, it’s difficult to believe that there will ever be light again. But we all need to remember that above the clouds, the sun is always shining. Sometimes, we just need to wait for those clouds to part and let some light through.

16/02/2026

Words cannot express how moved I was to receive such a kind gesture today. It’s such a privilege to lead a ceremony for a much loved family member. Being able to bring just a little comfort to those left behind at such a difficult time, makes me realise how important this job is, and how very grateful I am for the opportunity to be just a small part of D’s story. 🙂‍↕️ Thank you

16/02/2026

We're remembering John Curry this . John was a British figure skater who revolutionised the sport by uniting athleticism with balletic artistry. He won a gold medal in 1976, and did so as one of the very first openly gay athletes to compete at an international level. A true icon.

Tragically, John died of an AIDS-related illness at the age of 44 in 1994. You can read more about the life and legacy – as well as the humanist beliefs – of John Curry this Winter Olympics on the Humanist Heritage website (link in comments).

13/02/2026

A lovely funeral today for C who loved her dogs. All the names of her past canine companions got a mention. A roll call of comfort and companionship from across her life. I read a poem called “Everything I know about life, I learnt from my dog”. It was perfectly fitting.

10/02/2026

Here’s #5 in my weird obsession of ‘funerals in art’ series. Enjoy!