Since my work is to serve the spiritual needs of all people, whatever their faith or beliefs, I am able to create a very personal service for someone who has died, and their loved ones.



The purpose of the funeral and what unites us


My aim is to create a deeply loving atmosphere where everyone feels included and held in their mourning and celebration of the one who has died.


Of course, I cannot say for sure what happens when we die, but I am certain that we are pure Spirit, and that death is the release of the physical form, simply like throwing off old clothing that we have outworn. The truth of ourselves as whole and perfect in Spirit endures.


The funeral service is about honouring and celebrating

the life of the person who has died,but also helping the mourners let go and open to receive and sense the presence of their loved one as they are now in Spirit.

 

It is also an opportunity to express gratitude for their life and forgive any mistakes that may seem to have happened.

 

"I am so grateful that you were there for us at our time of great pain and need. Although the day of the funeral was agony for us, I know now that we gave him the best memorial possible.

That brings such comfort."

 

The Process

 

As your minister for the funeral of your beloved, I will meet with you in order to offer support and hear about the one who has dies.

I will create in co-operation with you, a tailor made ceremony. My interfaith background can be very helpful, for example the person who has died may be an atheist, but the chief mourner may be a very religious person, or vice versa.

 

I am able to find a language that bridges different beliefs and give a spiritual content to the service. This can be held in a crematorium or private or ecological burial place. I am also available for follow up bereavement counselling.

 

"Thank you for leading the service today so sensitively and so smoothly."


The funeral directors:~ If you have found me through this web site, you can call me, or you can ask your funeral directors to get in touch with me. In my local area of Forest Row, the funeral directors already have my details. My fee is paid by the funeral directors, and goes from £150 to £200, including travel and other costs.


My Contact details:~ 01342 825511 or 07791 942 544

 

"I cannot begin to tell you how much you have helped me and my parents over the last difficult days. His funeral was everything we could have hoped for. You led the whole ceremony with a beautiful emotional force. I know you helped everybody there."


angles
Celtic Blessing

 

Deep peace

of the running wave to you,
Deep peace

of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace

of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace

of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace

of the Prince of Peace to you.


sunset

 

 “And if perchance you see the red of western skies,
or feel the cool, soft rain or smell the flowers I loved,
 then let your heart beat fast for me and I shall not be dead”.

 

 

garden

 

Elegy

 

So present in your absence

You will always be walking

Down the grassy path

Toward me,

Tall and smiling,

You will always be here with me

As long as I live,

A towering figure of love.


Mary Sarton, 1912 – 1995

for her father Charles Barber