Reflection Funerals

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Reflection Funerals

For truly personal farewells. Gemma Godivala - Civil Funeral Celebrant
Serving the Bucks, Beds, Herts area. One of my passions is Family History.

A funeral should be as unique as the person it is honouring and, as a civil celebrant it is my role to work with you to capture the personality of your loved one and create a bespoke service to help you say farewell to them. Taking the facts of a person’s life and from them discerning their story, their character, their essence, is something I have been doing for my ancestors for years, and I find

it fascinating. As a celebrant, the element of my job I love most is meeting with a family and hearing all about their loved one. I am in a role where I am surrounded by love, which is so inspiring. I consider my responsibility to assist and support you through the days preceding a funeral to be at least as important as the manner in which I conduct the service itself. When it comes to funerals there is virtually nothing you can’t do, nor anything you must do. Most often I find, however, that people are keen to follow quite a traditional format and I advise them on how to adapt that to something that is personal and meaningful. When families are able to write and deliver tributes it makes for a wonderfully warm and intimate service, yet I understand that sometimes the words are too hard to find (or certainly to deliver!) and so I am there to tell your loved one’s story if you desire. All elements of the service are bespoke for your loved one. I have a degree in History and a background in education but it was the work I have done in the voluntary sector over many years that drew me more to this vocation. Varied roles had already given me experience in event planning and public speaking, but most crucially in listening to people and supporting them. All these are skills which I have honed during the 100+ services I have conducted. I have trained as a Funeral Celebrant with Civil Ceremonies Ltd and gained a Level 3 Diploma.

24/07/2025

I've always said the Irish do funerals brilliantly!!😂
Super job, Foil Arms and Hog!

A Funeral for an Irish Summer We do a live show! And we're touring the world. See our list of dates and what cities here...

17/07/2025

Last month I shared that I was given the honour of addressing a Palliative Care Conference at the very excellent Michael Sobell House Harlington Hospice down in north west London. I had inherited the title Fun Funeral Facts from a Funeral Director who had had to withdraw. This is where I chose to go with it. Enjoy.

10/07/2025

When teamwork didn't quite make the car work...

When a lovely couple found themselves stranded at Chilterns Crematorium yesterday Reflection Funerals and K Y Green Funeral Directors weren't going to leave them. Gemma had the jump leads and Samantha knew what to do with them. However leads weren't the answer and so Gemma's last role of the day was as chauffeur, getting the guests to the wake before heading home.

All happening after the last service of the day, many thanks, too, to Tanya at the Crematorium for seeing us all right.

04/07/2025

I am often asked how I look after my own mental and emotional well-being, while doing the job I do. More than anything else I am sustained and nurtured by being outdoors. And so I have delighted, in recent weeks, to be hosted by two local charities who are doing wonderful work in helping people interact with nature in really wholesome and uplifting ways.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Lindengate Charity in Wendover, a conservation charity who run well-being sessions for all ages, and whose gorgeous gardens were just so beautifully tranquil.

Today I had a marvellous experience with Curly Tails, our country's only pig sanctuary. But this excellent charity, founded by the extraordinarily passionate and hardworking Jane Scott, is not just an animal charity. It is about how humans can benefit, in a completely non-exploitative way, with these wonderful creatures.

Be sure to make the most of this life you have by doing things that connect you to nature. It's a real tonic. And in a week that saw me conducting four farewells, this refreshment to the soul was very welcome.

22/06/2025

Something a bit new for Gemma yesterday. Celebrant and MC for a Renewal of Vows to celebrate a Silver Wedding Anniversary.

No, I'm not taking my business this way, I'm not becoming "Reflection Ceremonies". It was simply a favour for a dear friend, which I was delighted to perform.

Congratulations Carol and Barry, and thank you for including Richard and me in your beautiful day.

20/06/2025

What a wonderful Mental Health charity we have in our area, in Lindengate. The reputation of this beautiful garden and conservation-based endeavour precedes it and I have been wanting to visit for some time, so last night I was honoured, as guest of its vice-patron Roger Jefcoate CBE, to attend the opening of the new Community and Education Hub.

Touring the grounds and speaking to staff and volunteers I was so impressed and moved with what I saw and heard. I spoke with a lady who had attended regular Memory Pathway sessions with her late grandmother and was overwhelmed by the difference they had made to her later years. I spoke with a volunteer about the Wellbeing Pathway and the benefits it brings to young and old alike.

Bereavement is just one of many experiences that can lead into a chapter of challenging mental health and it is heartening to know that such support is available.

Brochure information in the comments.

18/06/2025

I was hugely honoured to speak today the palliative care conference, hosted by Harlington Hospice at Michael Sobell Hospice

And what a charming gift they gave me as a thank you. Thank you right back!

08/06/2025

I am beyond honoured to have been invited to speak at this year's palliative care conference "Bridging Troubled Waters" hosted by Harlington Hospice at the wonderful Michael Sobell House. From both personal and professional experience I have a profound appreciation of hospice care and the extraordinary staff who deliver it. I shall be in humbling company!

Hospital dramas– and how to escape!Dr Sarah Russell RN Nurse Consultant, Trust Lead Palliative and end of life care. Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

25/05/2025

I think this is good advice. Build a pot of money in a safe place, earning interest, and leave the choices up to your loved ones. Funerals are for the living.

Funeral plans.

We’re not great fans of the one person who definitely won’t be there organising an event for others to participate in…

We believe funerals are for the living.

We understand why so many people feel they should get their funeral organised and paid for, we really do.

Advertising is extremely powerful, and the subliminal pressure to do ‘the right thing’ and sort out your funeral in advance has almost become part of our accepted culture. But who does this actually benefit?

Obviously, for some people, in some circumstances, pre-arranging their own funeral, deciding in advance what will happen after they die might be the right thing to do, but mostly we think funerals would be vastly improved if they were the creations and expressions of the love and loss of the living, not a result of a choice of a carefully curated package of pre-paid plan options decided by the person in the coffin.

The wise undertaker and author agrees.

16/05/2025

Almost a year ago today I stood in Aylesbury Vale Crematorium delivering a service for a retired firefighter. This gentleman had had the luxury of enjoying retirement, and passing away peacefully with his family around him. I'm sure he never took that future for granted.

What I remember most from that service was how clear it was that our dear departed had had two families. Those joined to him by blood, and those joined by service. I can't begin to imagine what is in the hearts and minds of the colleagues of the two heroes who lost their lives in Bicester last night. Sending them and their families my heartfelt thoughts and gratitude.

28/04/2025

What a beautiful event Florence Nightingale Hospice's Forever Flowers turned out to be. 🌸 😍☀️

Beautifully crafted metal peony decorations nestled among the rose bushes whose colour is yet to light up the garden, each flower a tribute to someone who is loved and missed.

I'm so glad today's preview had the weather it deserved. The display will remain until 18 May and is well worth a visit.

Photos in the comments

23/04/2025

Another day, another Finding the Perfect Poem success story.😇

In honour of a sweet and mischievous lady who has spent all her adult life in care, and for her friends, many of whom have quite a childlike level of understanding, we wanted to keep the concepts simple and comforting. My client fell in love with this poem I offered her.

I Imagine You Dancing
by Tanya Lord

I imagine you dancing
Skipping among the clouds
Happily singing with the angels
Looking down upon the crowds.

I imagine you laughing
Your heart lovingly set free
You understand my grief
In ways I cannot see.

I imagine you greeting
The others that I love
That sadly left this earth
For a home with you above.

I imagine you watching
The many things I do
Proudly standing beside me
As I remember and honour you.

All these visions give me hope
That death is not the end
That an eternity awaits us
That together we will spend.

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For truly personal farewells

Gemma Godivala - Civil Funeral Celebrant I have a degree in History and a background in education but it is the work I have done in the voluntary sector over many years that has drawn me more to this vocation. Varied roles have given me experience in event planning and public speaking, but most crucially in listening to people and supporting them. One of my passions is Family History. Taking the facts of a person’s life and from them discerning their story, their character, their essence, is something I have been doing for my ancestors for years, and I find it fascinating.

I have trained as a Funeral Celebrant with Civil Ceremonies Ltd and gained a Level 3 Diploma.