An Adventure to Begin the Next Chapter
Before starting a new career, a well-earned rest was called for, although I did plan something a bit mad - a three month solo road trip across Europe. Friends thought I was either very brave or slightly bonkers. Probably both.
I packed up my car, caught the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao, and drove 6,000 miles across Northern Spain, down through Portugal, into Southern Spain, up through the Pyrenees, across France, and back home via Brittany. Most of it alone. All of it an adventure.
I came home proud of myself, full of stories, and ready for whatever came next.
Finding My Way to Celebrancy
After sorting out some house renovations (more organizing workmen than wielding hammers myself - although I did waterproof my cellar on my own), I needed something meaningful to fill my days. Daytime television was definitely not the answer.
I started volunteering at a local primary school two afternoons a week, helping Year 5 and 6 pupils with their reading. When the children see me, I'm greeted with cries of "Fiona, can I read to you?" Though I was a bit taken aback when one asked if I was frightened when the bombs were dropping in the war!
I also became a dog sitter for three friends - a cockapoo, a labradoodle, and an adorable cairn terrier. Perfect for someone who loves dogs but still wants the freedom to travel and also explore new opportunities.
But I still had time on my hands, and that's when celebrancy sparked my interest.
Why Celebrancy Felt Right
When I mentioned the idea to friends and family, everyone said it was a perfect fit. Some couldn’t understand why I’d want to carry on working, but others said it was typical of me - “always wanting to be a giver rather than a taker".
Here's the thing: I don't see celebrancy as work. It's a privilege. Being part of people's stories - whether they're starting a new chapter or saying goodbye at the end of one - that's an honour, not a job.
I'm a bookworm who loves a good story. I kept a WhatsApp journal during my European adventure that had people saying I should be a travel writer. Story-telling comes naturally to me, whether it's to adults or children. And now I get to tell the stories that matter most - the stories of real people, real love, real lives.
What I Bring to Your Ceremony
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Deep Listening Skills
Four decades in social care taught me how to sit with families during vulnerable moments and truly hear what they're saying - and what they're not saying. I bring that same gentle presence to every conversation.
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Story-telling That Connects
I have what my mentor calls "a charming writing style and a storytelling voice." I can take the memories you share and weave them into something that brings people back into the room or celebrates what makes your relationship special.
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Values That Guide My Work
The principles that guide me through life and that I hold dear are - dignity, respect, empathy, service to others - these aren't just words to me. They're how I approach every ceremony. I'll treat you and your loved ones with the utmost respect, honouring your choices and creating something that feels authentically yours.
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Life Experience
Some people worry a mature celebrant won't "get" them, but I've found the opposite is true. Life experience brings understanding, wisdom, and the ability to connect with people from all backgrounds. Plus, anyone who drives solo across Europe isn't exactly set in their ways!
A Traditional Heart with a Modern Mind
I love honouring tradition - there's comfort in the familiar. But I also believe in bringing a modern twist that makes each ceremony feel personal and unique. You don't have to choose between meaningful tradition and personalisation. We can blend both in a way that feels right for you.
Specialisms Close to My Heart
All my ceremonies are unique as I take pride and gain satisfaction from making your day special, be it through providing words of comfort in moments of grief or by making a celebration joyful and truly memorable.
For some ceremonies though I do bring an added layer of knowledge and understanding , due to personal and professional experience.
Funeral Celebrancy - Supporting families through grief and creating tributes that truly honour their loved ones is something I find deeply meaningful.
Naming Ceremonies for Adoptive and Foster Families - Having spent many years working in adoption and fostering services, I understand the profound significance of these ceremonies. The moment when you declare, "This child is ours, and we are theirs, forever" - that's magic worth celebrating.