contact@lauralumsden.com

07500930034

civil celebrant

sharing memories of a unique life

Every person is different and their funeral service should be unique, reflecting them and their personal beliefs, as well as providing comfort for the people they loved. I am here to help guide you through your choices, together we will create a service that tells their unique story and reflects the person you love.

About Me

As the daughter of funeral directors, funerals have always been part of my life. It was instilled in me from a young age, what a privilege it is to be a grief companion to families; helping them to navigate some of the most challenging times in their life. And what a responsibility it is, to care for the person who has died and ensure that their life is celebrated, honoured and remembered in a way that is befitting to them.

There are no limitations around what can be included in a service. It could be a prayer or a hymn, a right of passage or ceremony in line with their spirituality or their connection to the rhythms of the earth, or maybe for them it was a piece of rock music that summed up their view of life! I am here to help guide you through your choices, together we will create a service that tells their unique story and reflects the person you love.

What I Offer

I work closely with families to create a bespoke funeral service reflecting the unique life of the person you love. I will meet you in your home or place of your choosing to share some of your memories and hear all about your loved one. During our meeting I will help you to create an order of service. Together we will find the right songs, readings, tributes and rituals that reflect the person and their life. Often, a large part of the service will be the eulogy, or 'story' of their life. I work closely with family and friends to write this, sending drafts through prior to the service; giving you peace of mind that everything you want included is said, and that the person you love is accurately represented. Sometimes family or friends will write some or all of the eulogy, and that is really special too.

The committal is the part of the service where we say goodbye. This is such an important and poignant moment. I believe that this should also reflect the beliefs of the deceased and bring comfort to those they loved. Historically, this would have been a standardised part of the ceremony, but I will work with you to find the right words or gesture to fit the person, and what they would have wanted.

In the time leading up to the service, I will stay in contact, liaising with both family and the funeral director to ensure that every detail of the day is as you want it to be. Looking back on the day, it can all feel like a blur. Following the funeral, I will send you a final version of the words spoken and the committal for you to keep.

Testimonials

        We as a family cannot thank you enough for the kindness and consideration you have shown us at such a difficult and emotionally painful time...you really made a difference... THANK YOU."

        I wanted to thank you for your care and kindness in the last couple of weeks. You helped us focus and the eulogy you delivered for mum and us was meaningful; it meant so much."

        I just wanted to say on behalf of my father and the wider family, a big thank you to you both for everything. Everyone commented on how lovely the service was, and the eulogy was beautiful. I think my mother would have been pleased. Some people thought Laura was a family friend😊 and everyone recognised my mother in the eulogy."

        You showed so much compassion and professionalism, nothing was too much trouble, so thank you so much for making this very difficult time, much more bearable. We will not forget how beautiful the service was and this helps so much."