I’m Paul. Since 2005 I have been a volunteer with the Samaritans charity. People call seeking help for a variety of reasons, some of which concern the challenging and often difficult feelings they experience when faced with bereavement. 

The support offered by Samaritans is deliberately restricted to listening to our callers in a non-judgemental way: we don’t offer opinions and we don’t give advice. Often this service may be very helpful, but sometimes I have felt I would like to do more; to help in a practical way those experiencing loss.

This is why I became a Funeral Celebrant. I am motivated to support families and friends through what can be a hugely difficult and stressful time. I am moved to help create the ceremony that you would like for your loved one; a commemoration that captures their life, in a way that you want it remembered and which honours them.

As a Civil Funeral Celebrant, I have the highest possible UK qualification: a Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy (RQF), achieved by training with Civil Ceremonies who have been doing this work since 2002.

If you would like to find out more about Civil Funerals and what a Civil Funeral Celebrant does, click HERE.