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Love and Grief

February 14, 2022 AboveandbeyondTracey

On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate love in all of its many forms and guises. When someone we love dies, the…

Posted in: celebrant, Funeral, Grief, Love, valentine Filed under: celebrant, farewell, feelings, Funeral celebrant, grief, love, valentine, Your story

A poignant find and an untold story

May 12, 2021 AboveandbeyondTracey

Have you ever come across something – a sight, sound, smell or taste, which instantly triggered a memory? When something…

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Posted in: celebrant, Uncategorized Filed under: celebrant, memories, Poppy, Remembrance, story telling, untold story, Your story

What is a funeral celebrant?

A funeral celebrant is many things. The advisor, the storyteller, the grief companion, the facilitator, the orchestrator, the resource person, the creative writer – but never the dictator. The celebrant seeks to meet the needs of families during their time of loss. They serve by providing a funeral service that is personalised to reflect the personality and lifestyle of the deceased.

For me, your needs are my priority.

“I would rather spend one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

A true celebration of mum’s life

Hello Tracey, We have just got home and the envelope was waiting for us. I love the commemorative copy and the other small touches that all together make such a lovely keepsake! It is such a lovely, thoughtful thing to do and quite above and beyond, which is so greatly appreciated. We were all so happy with the service and had some lovely comments from those who attended complementing how beautiful and how honest the service was. It was a true celebration of mums life. I can't tell you how much it meant to me that we were lucky enough that it was you that took the service! The time and the care you dedicate to really getting to know the person who has passed and their family is wonderful and uplifting in a time of emotional turmoil. Thank you for helping us to celebrate mums life in exactly the way she wanted. Take care and thank you.

The M Family, Biggleswade

After working with you, I wouldn’t go anywhere else

Dear Tracey, I do want to thank you again for all that you did to make X's service the best it could be. I really appreciate all the time you took to get to know him through my stories and for the extra time you took to really put everything together. You did a wonderful job, and it is evident in everything you do how much you care so again, from all of us thank you. After working with you on X's service, I wouldn't go anywhere else. You are truly fabulous as what you do. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou!

The G Family, Stevenage

Just perfect in every way

It's never easy losing someone you love. Trying to find the words to express how you feel at such a sad, lonely time is difficult. Tracey thank you so much for your respectful, thoughtful, caring words you entwined for dear David's memory. The reading was just perfect in every way. My emotions were at a heightened level and I found it difficult to face reality. You were patient and kind in every way. I will always remember how proud I felt with the service. Family and friends thought everything was as David would have wished it to be. I have been left with sad but also very happy memories of the day. Thank you for being the person that you are.

Mrs S, Herts

I felt really held by you at the crematorium

Dear Tracey Thank you so much for everything you did to make XX's day so special and everything you have done for me and my girls. The cards and little gifts, the full service, thank you so much. I felt honoured to have you there! I felt really held by you at the crem and I will always remember that. Thank you so much.

Mrs J, Herts

Capturing the special moments

"Hello Tracey.. Before I turn in I wanted to say a massive thank you for today. You truly made the day a success and followed every detail which allowed me to avoid the difficult moments and cherish the moments that mattered. Everyone shared their thoughts on your service and it was a unanimous vote that you captured not XX but his entire world including his family and friends. It made my niece feel special to know her mum was mentioned on several occasions too. Best of all for me it highlighted what a wonderful relationship my parents had together. Thank you for capturing the special moments, we will hold these thoughts forever. Thank you. x"

The H Family, Cambs

An intimate and special experience

We are very grateful to you for making this experience an intimate and special one. From our first meeting, your genuine kindness and compassion was apparent. Your manner of speech is unhurried and had the effect of putting us at ease immediately. We both knew we were in capable hands. You asked us questions that helped us remember our Mum's whole life. And, in fact, those gentle questions awakened memories that have significantly helped both of us find our way through our sadness. With your guidance we were able to say good-bye to Mum with our own personal tributes. We felt as though it was a collaborative effort. You set the framework and once we'd shared our family story with you, you were able to weave it all together to deliver a truly beautiful and memorable service that honored our Mum. You are very, very good at what you do Tracey. Jennifer and I are fortunate, indeed, that you were available for us at such a difficult time.

The V Family, California

We felt so taken care of

Hi Tracey, Just to thank you so much for everything you did to make Mum's final journey so beautiful. She would have loved everything about the service. It must take a lot to put together hours of talking, emails, updates etc to make such a seamless eulogy. We all felt so taken care of, all our memories and love beautifully expressed. By the time you had extracted all the information, you must have felt you knew Mum quite well and it came across in the service that you were more of a friend to her than a celebrant. She would have enjoyed meeting you and I'm quite sure you would both have hit it off straight away.

The H Family, E Sussex

You certainly went above and beyond

Words just seem inadequate to express our gratitude for what you did for us and our mum. You certainly went above and beyond researching our mum's past life in London during the war and supporting us to be strong so we could deliver our best for her. We can't tell you how much your sermon helped us all personally to process mum's passing away. It was so a celebration of mum's life that I for one didn't really understand until you were mum's celebrant. Thank you again, from us all.

L, C and A, WGC, Herts

The effort you put in

Hi Tracey, I just wanted to reiterate my thanks for the service you gave Dad today. I can't imagine the effort you put in to find some of the detail that you wove in to your words. It all summed up Dad very well, including our varied relationship. I don't think I spoke with one person who didn't compliment you for the way you saw Dad onto the next stage of his journey. Great job at a hard time, thanks again.

The R Family, Cambridgeshire

Have recommended you to everyone!

Dear Tracey, Would just like to thank you from A, C and myself for giving my mum the best send off. You gave us all the confidence to get up and speak on the day and I'm sure Mum was there dancing in the aisles when the last song was played. You will be in our hearts forever and have recommended you to everyone!

The S family, Welwyn Garden City, Herts

Very personal and extremely moving service

I could not recommend Tracey highly enough. She presided over a wonderful send-off for my Dad. Tracey spent a lot of time understanding the life Dad had lived in order to deliver a very personal and extremely moving service. She somehow had an ability to strike the right tone during that service and in our other interactions... sometimes sombre, sometimes humorous, but always respectful and kind. It's a tough job, and she performed it brilliantly

The H Family, Welwyn Garden City

Everything we wished for and more

Dear Tracey, James and I would like to say a huge thank you for such a beautiful tribute to our lovely Dad on Friday. The service was everything we wished for and more. You put so much care and attention to detail into giving such a lovely tribute - Dad would have been so touched and proud. We have had so much lovely feedback from everyone who attended the funeral saying how wonderful the service was and what an amazing job you did. Thank you so much.

The D family, Hitchin

Perfect and heartfelt

Thank you so much Tracey for sending the beautiful keep sake. The service was wonderful and many people said it was so personal to them and that your presentation was perfect and very heartfelt. Your care and expertise made a very sad day a little more bearable, myself and the girls cannot thank you enough.

The G Family, Cambridge

Truly wonderful ceremony

Dear Tracey A big thank you for yesterday - our father had a great send off thanks to your diligence, delivery and attention to detail. This was echoed by comments from everyone I spoke to afterwards at the wake. It was a truly wonderful ceremony and enjoyed by all - thank you for making this possible, you did a brilliant job Tracey.

The F Family, Herts

Made us proud

We really want to thank you for the wonderful service you delivered for Mum. You listened to our needs and then arranged and organised a service which made us proud. I’m sure she would have approved of her send off.

The W Family, Berkshire

Warm and receptive

Tracey was warm and receptive from the moment we first spoke on the phone. Working with her to organise my aunt's funeral I was grateful for her sensitivity, patience, and also her gentle humour. She was respectful, supportive, attentive, and worked hard to shape a service that reflected my family's wishes. In fact her commitment and diligence exceeded our expectations. Tracey produced a heartfelt and intelligent tribute filled with colour, seamlessly weaving together many voices, images, and memories. She also incorporated material she sourced independently that was reflective of my aunt's sensibility and complemented the tone of the funeral, which took place in a green burial ground.

The P Family, Norwich

Written and delivered so well

Just wanted to say a big thank you from all of us for your work on xx's service. It was really lovely and you wrote and delivered it all so well. We really appreciate how you went out of your way to accommodate our zoom meeting late in the evening, and all the research you did on finding out the history behind our stories of xx and about the music choices as well. We not only got to celebrate xx, but learnt more about her life and our family as well. Thank you again for all your work - you are clearly excellent at what you do!

The H Family, London

So Kind

Thank you soo much, you have been so kind to all of us and I can't thank you enough. Everyone has commented on how nice the service was and how kind you were. I can only thank you, which doesn't seem enough but without you I don't think I could have got through it all, much love and thanks X and family

The H Family, Royston

A moving service

Dear Tracey, I would like to thank you for all your support and kindness and for conducting such a moving service for xx. It was a beautiful tribute to her.

Mr R, Stevenage

An amazing job

I would just like to say thankyou again for doing such a lovely job at my dad's funeral it was so beautiful... thankyou again you did an amazing job

The O family, Biggleswade

The send off I was hoping for

I wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful service you put together for my mum and my family. Everyone has said how lovely it was, and how they were so impressed with you and how you presented it. It was very special, ... the send off I was hoping for, and the one I think my mum would have loved. You were part of that, so my family and I thank you, for your kindness, care, eye for detail, flexibility, and professionalism, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone. Thank you for helping us make this special, when we needed it most. Many thanks Tracey

Mrs H, Biggleswade

Making a sad occasion as bearable as it could be

Dear Tracey, Everyone who attended mum's funeral (including family who streamed the service in Australia) have said what a lovely service you presided over. You made a sad occasion as bearable as it could be with your professionalism and care. I really appreciate the thought and dedication you showed in making the funeral a fitting tribute to mum's life. Once again, many heartfelt thanks 🙏

Mr C, Welwyn Garden City

Most fitting tribute

Dear Tracey, I'm not sure I have the words to adequately express how grateful I am for the work you did to make xx's send off such an appropriate occasion. As sad and emotional as it was, it was the most fitting tribute to his life. I also appreciate, as do the rest of the family, how much support you've given to xx. She described you as her guardian angel. I'll never forget your efforts on our behalf.

Mrs E, E Yorks

Compassion and humour

Dear Tracey, we wanted you to know that the copy of the Eulogy is truly beautiful, the care and attention that you put into everything you do is very humbling, you talked about his life so thoroughly with compassion and humour (which he would have loved) and made the whole situation very bearable and comfortable for us all... we will never forget you and always remember your calmness, sensitivity, your thorough attention to detail, and all the many attributes that you have.

The D family, Devon

The time you gave us

We would like to thank you for the lovely send off you gave Elsie last Thursday. From when we met you and shared stories of Elsie, we appreciated the time you gave us and understanding of who she was. It was a lovely service and went very smoothly... Again thanks for all your kind help.

Mr S, Royston

A lot less stressful

Tracey, I just wanted to say thank you for the lovely write up of mums service it’s beautiful and also thank you for doing such a lovely service on the day you made the whole horrible experience a lot less stressful.

The D family, Therfield

Wonderful tribute for dad’s funeral

I would just like to say what a wonderful tribute you did for our dad’s funeral. Mum, P and me thought it was spot on and some people said to us at the wake they thought you knew our dad because of all the story and information you read about dad. Which just go to show you do your job brilliantly and put a lot of time into it. From the 1st time we met you until the end of the funeral your support and understanding was wonderful. Thanks once again.

The P Family, Royston

What an emotional roller coaster!

What an emotional roller-coaster! It took a bit of time for me to prepare myself to read it, but when I did, it had me crying and laughing and every feeling in-between. I believe that you’ve summed up dad’s life to a tee and hit the perfect tone. I’m so grateful to you. It’s a stunning piece of work and I, on behalf of the three of us, think you deserve the biggest “thank You” ever.

The J Family, Cambs

Everyone is still talking about it

We all just wanted to show our appreciation and gratitude for the beautiful service you did for dad – everyone is still talking about it and how personal and lovely you made it… you are so caring and considerate that we know anyone who has you to perform any type of service for them will be as privileged as we were.

The A Family, Herts

Did baby so proud

It was the most beautiful service I could have imagined, thank you so much you done everyone and baby XX so proud. Lots of love and thank you again. All the little things made it even more personal and special and you really outdone yourself from your own heart … thank you for showing me care, thought and love.

Ms G, Cambs

Beautiful service

We would just like to thank you for the beautiful service that you put together today. You managed to encapsulate everything that Sylvia stood for and believed in, into a flowing story that was moving and understandable to all those present. We are sure Sylvia would have recognised everything that was said and be glad she will be remembered for those fine attributes. Co-op Funeral Care provided an extremely smooth background to the arrangements and without their recommendation of you, I doubt that such a moving tribute would have been possible.

Mr B, Enfield

Blown away

Tracey, I want to thank you for putting together such a wonderful Eulogy and Service. Your calm manner, support and kindness reassured me when we met that I was in good hands and there was going to be a fitting tribute for my mum. You made that process so much easier than it may have been otherwise. The lovely poems and other suggestions that I and my sister lay a rose on mum’s coffin and the tributes from the great grandchildren were all lovely and made it even more special. When I first read through your draft eulogy, I was blown away with how much work and effort you had put into it. The Service itself was such a lovely celebration of mum’s life and so uplifting. Everyone present commented on how lovely it was. The commemorative Eulogy and Service that I received afterwards is beautiful and something that I will now cherish. I can’t thank you enough for your support, guidance, kindness and hard work in achieving a respectful and good send off for mum.

Mrs K, Cambs

Superb eulogy

I sat and quietly read through your beautifully presented Service and Eulogy. I have just read it all, dewy eyed, again. Thank you so much. Sadly I missed too much of the service trying to hold back my tears and so it is much appreciated, I will treasure it. Your Eulogy was superb! The readings, blessings and prayers were all beautiful and I particularly liked the final exquisite poem added by you Tracey. You not only covered all those years of his long life but also his character influencing genealogy, the army, his athleticism, acting, marriage and children, and the final chapter, our last happy years together. It was all there!

Mrs C, Hertford

A beautiful memoire

A beautiful memoir of mother. Thank you so much for sending this. You made this whole daunting experience much more comfortable to deal with and as we continue to grieve your calm way of helping us through has helped us all enormously. Everyone was very happy that mother had a respectful service that gave a flavour of her life and strong personality. This has been a massive help to know that we did it properly and it was not false. Well done on a successful service.

Mr V, Cambridge

Patient, understanding and caring

We are most grateful that you put us in touch with Tracey, the celebrant. She was very patient, understanding and caring when she came to visit Christine and myself. She was most generous with her time and listened carefully to understand the situation and clearly put a lot of work in to produce relevant suggestions for blessings and aspects of the service. During the service her manner, presence and voice were perfect and most reassuring. I hope that other grieving families will be as lucky as we were to have her help us. I have already booked her for when my time is up!!

Mr S, Essex

A beautiful service

I would like to thank you for leading the service with such empathy and insight – no-one would guess that you had never met. Your closing words, so aptly chosen, are a fitting tribute to my husband’s memory. I thank you again for all your care in helping to make his service so deserving of the man he was. Thank you for your help and support before the day and taking such care that everything was as we had hoped… it was a beautiful service and a good few have watched the webcast, so thank you again Tracey.

Mrs C, Suffolk

Absolutely perfect

I just wanted to say, the words you put together and spoke today were absolutely perfect. I can’t thank you enough, you made the day far easier than it could have been. I’m positive if Dad was looking down on us, he would have had a huge smile on his face today.

Mr C, Essex

Phenomenal eulogy

Tracey, I just wanted to say that your eulogy was phenomenal. I feel that you have provided Sonja and her family with a door to healing which they clearly didn’t have. Well done, anyone who works with you is very lucky.

F Biggs, Gloucs