Celebrating Life
I'm Kyle, an independent civil funeral celebrant based in Glasgow.
For me, being a funeral celebrant is more than a profession. It's a profound honour and a deeply felt responsibility. With this responsibility comes my commitment to support you through this difficult time with compassion and care.
As a professional writer of 30+ years, I am at heart a storyteller. It’s an amazing privilege to be able to help you celebrate and share your loved one’s story, whether we’re crafting a funeral service or a memorial tribute.
Testimonials
“Thank you for your superb handling and execution of D’s funeral. You are the best, which he deserved.”
K, father of the deceased
“I can't thank you enough for today. It could not have gone any better, and everyone was commenting on how beautifully it was presented and delivered. You made a very difficult day a much better day.”
K, daughter of the deceased
“We could not be happier with everything you did. Thank you so much.”
G, son of the deceased
“Many thanks for today. Absolutely perfect. If mum was looking down on us all today, she would definitely have a smile on her face.”
K, son of the deceased
“I just wanted to thank you again for carrying out a beautiful service for mum. Never an easy job but you delivered everything in a really compassionate, lovely way. Thank you for all your support.”
J, sister of the deceased
“Everyone commented on how well you conducted the proceedings. I knew when I met you that you were a perfect fit and that he would have approved. You made a difficult day a little easier and captured the spirit of my husband.”
A, wife of the deceased
“Your eulogy is absolutely beautiful. I can’t thank you enough.”
R, grandson of the deceased
“I would really like to read the poem but good to know you have my back if I just can’t. Thanks so much for all your help and support.”
A, sister of the deceased
“Just to say thanks so much for your lovely eulogy today for our nephew. His son was overwhelmed and thankful for your presentation and professionalism. Think there were more laughs than tears. Once again, thanks so much.”
C, aunt of the deceased
“Dear Kyle, I have just read your wonderful service. I can think of no way to improve on what you have written and will hold all these thoughts to my heart for years.”
A, husband of the deceased
“This is just perfect, Kyle. You have worded this so well and the tears are tripping me with pride. You have written a fantastic eulogy and have done the family proud.”
J, daughter of the deceased
FAQs
What is a funeral celebrant?
A funeral celebrant crafts and leads personalised funeral ceremonies that celebrate the life and character of the deceased. By collaborating closely with the bereaved family, the celebrant gathers stories and details to create a meaningful tribute, or eulogy. They also shape the entire funeral ceremony, including appropriate readings, music, and other elements that reflect the individual's personality and beliefs. Celebrants work alongside funeral directors to ensure the funeral ceremony proceeds smoothly and respectfully.
What is the difference between a civil celebrant and a humanist celebrant?
They key difference is about religion. A humanist celebrant will not include any religious content in a funeral, regardless of the beliefs of the deceased or their family. A civil celebrant is not attached to any church or other belief system, and is free to include as much or as little religious content as you decide is fitting. That said, if you want a truly religious ceremony, it is generally better to work with a member of the clergy.
What does it cost to use me as your funeral celebrant?
Your funeral director will usually recommend a celebrant and put you in touch. In this situation, the celebrant’s fee is included in the overall cost of the funeral. It will be itemised as an expense, typically around £230. You can also come directly to me, where my fee for celebrancy is fixed at £300. This includes writing the eulogy.
What types of funerals do you conduct?
I offer a range of services, including:
Traditional cremations (crematorium)
Traditional burials (cemetery)
Natural woodland burials
Memorial services
Scattering of ashes ceremonies
Memorials for direct cremation
While funerals are commonly held in crematoriums or cemeteries, other venues are possible, such as natural burial grounds, community halls, private gardens, or even at sea. The choice depends on the family's wishes and the deceased's preferences.
Funerals are changing. Today, people want more personalisation, more choice over location and format, and greater freedom to say goodbye to a loved one in a way that they see fit. I am 100% behind this movement and encourage you to talk to me with any thoughts or ideas you may have about organising a funeral.
What happens when somebody dies?
The usual course of events is that you contact a funeral director and they will guide you through the process. At an early stage, the funeral director will contact a celebrant on your behalf. They will then reach out to you to arrange a meeting at a convenient time to discuss the ceremony details. You can, of course, contact a celebrant directly.
What can I expect during our meeting?
As your celebrant, my role is to write and deliver the funeral service. This includes everything that happens inside the crematorium or at the graveside.
Our discussion will centre on the deceased person's life and character, enabling me to write a fitting eulogy. Or I can support you if you choose to do this yourself. We'll also talk about your preferences for music, readings, prayers, photographs, and reflection, as well as who might have an active role in the ceremony. This collaborative process ensures the ceremony is personalised and meaningful.
Our meeting will probably last for a couple of hours. I always send some fact-finding questions in advance, which makes our time together more effective.
Following our meeting, I will draft a complete service and eulogy, and over the coming days we’ll shape a fitting funeral ceremony.
Can family and friends participate in the service?
Yes, absolutely. I encourage involvement from family and friends, whether through sharing memories, reading poems, or offering prayers. Such participation adds a personal touch to the ceremony. If someone prefers not to speak publicly, I'm happy to present their contributions on their behalf.
Can I plan my own funeral?
Yes, absolutely. Pre-planning your funeral allows you to specify your preferences, like favourite music , poetry, or other readings. You can select which photos and videos you would like to be shared, and any other meaningful elements. And you can choose to tell your own stories about your life, rather than relying on somebody else deciding what’s important.
It’s also worth considering that planning your own funeral can ease the process for loved ones left behind.
Do you have any qualifications?
Yes, I have completed the National Qualification NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy, which is the highest qualification in this field in the UK. This rigorous training ensures that I can create and deliver personalised and sensitive ceremonies in a highly professional manner.
If you have further questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.