A little bit about what I do and why I do it...
Hello! I’m Emma, an Art-Deco loving, Yorkshire Tea drinking, Agatha Christie and Star Wars superfan.
...I am also an Award winning Independant Celebrant, honouring all faiths and beliefs. I was 16 years old when I realised I wanted to become a Celebrant, having attended the very impersonal funeral service of a vibrant, young man whose life was taken far too soon, shaping how I felt about loss for YEARS - until I attended my lovely Nanny Joan’s funeral, many years later. It was a heartwarming celebration for the life of such an irreplaceable amazing beloved lady, a day filled with smiles and laughter admist the sadness. Her life was remembered for how she lived it, not the cruelness of her death. Everyone who loves my Nanny, will always be so grateful for that.
Our greatest life events - whether they are happy or sad - are our 'rites of passage' onto a new journey, a new chapter of our book of life, or the closing of that story, We are all stories, and we all deserve so much more than a half-hearted, lack-lustre welcome, joining or farewell. Every story deserves to be celebrated and remembered, because the only things that matter in life, are the memories we make with our family and friends, the memories we create for the loved ones we leave behind, and how we ourselves are remembered. It is my greatest privilege to be able to bring meaning into those moments and memories.
..When you are entrusting someone to officiate, write or tell the story of your most important life events, it's good to get to know a little bit about that person behind their vocation, so here's a little bit about me, and my life 'B.C.' (Behind Celebrancy)
My family...
I am blessed to be married to 'the lovely Jay'. Our lovely daughter, our rescue dog, and Jay's cherished beaten up VW Campervan, complete our family unit.
What soothes my soul and lifts my spirits...
My go-to mood boosters are Agatha Christie's stories, crime novels, history, decluttering, Yorkshire Tea and John Barry's music 'The Old Woman' from my favourite film 'Somewhere in Time'. I am fascinated by Hummingbirds, considered to be spiritual messengers, representing the colour, fleetingness and enjoyment of life. Their tiny wings move in a figure eight pattern (the ancient symbol of continuity)
The thing that brings me the most solace, is listening to Jay singing around our home when he is warming up his voice or learning new songs; if you are looking for a singer to provide 'chilled out' live acoustic music at an event do consider him - he's AMAZING - www.playjay.co.uk
Most embarressing and humbling moment...
...There have been many, but one of the most mortifying moments was when I was shopping for groceries, wondering why people were staring at me, realising (when I got home) that I still had the blue plastic shoe covers on, that I had been wearing while I was watching my daughter at her swimming lesson. I was SO embarrassed! My most humbling moment was the first funeral service I was invited to officiate - to be entrusted with the memory of someone else's loved one is the most humbling honour
My biggest regret...
...Wasting SO much time pouring my energy into things that took me away from the people and things that matter. My vocation is a constant reminder that life is fragile and our time is precious!
Nicest and most random things anyone has ever said about me, and my favourite quote...
"She's all 'hearts and flowers', "She talks a million miles per hour but gives love and support the same way" and "You've got a nicely shaped head! My favourite quote is "Nothing changes if nothing changes!"
