Looking after families in Newcastle and North East England for twelve years
Your memories are precious.
I will help to tell your loved one’s story in a way that truly captures who they were and what they meant to you.
It has been my honour to have spoken at over 2000 funeral and memorial ceremonies over the years.
From intimate family gatherings to public memorials attended by hundreds, broadcast on the national news.
I’ve led celebrations for long, happy lives full of laughter and colourful tales- and I’ve supported families through the devastation of tragic losses too.
I’ve officiated at traditional funerals organised by local Funeral Directors- and I’ve helped families to plan and arrange their own uique memorial services, from scratch.
I’ve spoken at crematoria and graveyards, woodland burial sites, once at Saint Nicholas’ Cathedral and at a few pubs, clubs and theatres too…
I will spend as long as it takes to learn about the person you knew, really getting to understand who they were, what brought them happiness and all the qualities and quirks that made them unique and special.
There is nothing I love more than hearing people say, ‘you really captured their character- it was as if you knew them.’
It is such a rewarding feeling to address a room full of people and see their tears dry as they begin to smile or laugh, recognising the person they knew in a story shared.
To be able to do that for people at a time of sadness and loss is a privilege and I put my heart and soul into getting it just right.
From the moment of our first contact to the day of the funeral it’s my job to listen very carefully, to ensure that every detail of our ceremony is true to your loved one, so that you can leave the chapel feeling comforted, uplifted and that we have done them absolutely proud.
What People Are Saying
“You came into our lives just when we needed you and carried out an amazing and important role making the day the most wonderful celebration of my husband’s life. You told his story exactly as we wanted it.”
“Thank you for your lovely words, expressing our love for Dad. Words we will cherish forever, spoken, as all have said, in your beautiful voice.”
“It was like you had met our little boy. We knew when we met you that you would do him proud but we were blown away by the picture you painted. All of our family and friends commented on your warmth and integrity. Beautiful.”
“We did not know what celebrant meant. We do now. A special person.”
“We could not have picked a nicer person than you. The amount of people asking where we had got you from and expressing a wish to have their funeral just like ours was unreal! No one came away from the day feeling sad and that’s what we as a family wanted.”
“The feedback from today has been incredible. Everyone could relate to what you said and we were bowled over by your approach to the funeral. Friendly, respectful, knowledgeable, kind and at times light-hearted. They all felt welcomed and enjoyed the flow. Basically you nailed it Carly! As we walked out my husband said, ‘book that woman for my funeral, she’s great.’ So thank you. You couldn’t have done more. I’m so glad we got you to do it.”
“Thank you for the service you did for our little girl. You really did capture her spirit and personality and brought everyone there to tears, but also brought smiles which is exactly what we wished for. It was like you knew her with what you said and with how perfect the service was. Everyone said it was beautiful.”
“From the moment we met you we knew you were the right person for my husband’s funeral. He would have loved you!! You listened and cared and it shone through in your eulogy. Our family and friends were convinced you knew him. One said “I shut my eyes and Carly’s words brought him to life- and the bonus was she sounded like Gina McKee!” Thank you for giving him the honour and respect he deserves.”
“All who were at the funeral loved your expression of warmth, humour and joy. Mam would have been delighted. Your professional yet caring manner was exceptional.”
“‘We would like to thank you for listening and understanding and managing to pick the bones out of a big, noisy family! Your very human and down to earth approach was so appreciated by us.”
“You understood immediately what we wanted. We have been to so many funerals that left us feeling bereft and empty afterwards, not even recognising the person the priest was talking about. But I left the chapel feeling so uplifted”
“We’re really glad we got you. Your warmth was comforting to us all and the way you spoke of her without having met her was truly beautiful. I can’t imagine it would have been the same with anyone else. Don’t ever change. Your positivity, warmth and care will help anyone through the darkest of times.”
“Thank you for a ceremony you managed to make both vibrant and sensitive and which offered real comfort to us all. We are in awe of your ability to get the details just right and then articulate them with such elegance.”
“The time you spent talking with us was joyful and uplifting, at a time of great grief. At the funeral itself, even as we first walked in and saw you, your presence brought great comfort. You spoke so well and gave a brief glimpse of our Dad as we all remembered him. Just for a moment he was alive again. Thank you for celebrating his life with us and enabling us to feel his spirit with us one more time.”
“‘Awesome’ is the only word that can sum up yesterday. Thankyou for being a part of it.”
“I loved everything you said and so would my Dad have, it couldn’t have gone any better. Every single person who came back to the club for drinks commented too. Thanks a million, you’re an absolute star!”
