Karen Puttick ~ funeral celebrant
When you start to arrange a funeral, the process can seem overwhelming. As a well trained, qualified Civil Funeral Celebrant and having created and conducted hundreds of services, I will create a funeral service which is right for you and your deceased love one, keeping the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
A funeral is not simply an opportunity to grieve, but also a time celebrate your loved one's life and say 'Goodbye' in the best way for you.
- Having no religious associations, I am able to include as much or as little spiritual or religious content as you like.
- You can select any music, readings, prayers or poetry - if you aren't sure I can help. In most cases I am able to arrange music to be played at the chapel.
- If you, your friends or family want to write your own tribute or poem, we can include that, either read by me or the author.
- When you need a little assistance preparing to read, I will support you to do that.
- If you want to place flowers on the coffin, a photo on display, candle lighting or any other ritual act that can also be included.
- An important aspect of my role is to ensure the service delivers well within the specific time constraints of individual locations.
Here's a little about how the process works.
CONTACT ~ At your initial meeting to make arrangements with your Funeral Director, you let them know that you would like me to conduct your service. You can either give them my contact details, or let me know their details and I will take it from there. I will co-ordinate with your Funeral Director throughout.
FIRST APPOINTMENT ~ I will call you to arrange for us to meet, either online or by phone (or face-to-face if that is possible.) Our meeting will be the time when you share your loved one's life story and decide on the content of the service.
ORDER OF SERVICE ~ As soon as is practical, I will create a draft Order of Service for your approval. This gives us a framework and allows me to build a ceremony which flows well.
LOVED ONE'S STORY ~ I will create within whatever format we agree, a tribute which captures your loved one's essence. You will be sent a draft to check and amend if you need to. This part of the process is important - we want it to be accurate.
CEREMONY ~ I bring the ceremony together so that it honours your loved one; checking the music, readings, and contributions from you or your family if required. I do this all based upon your input and my understanding of your preferences.
THE FUNERAL ~ I arrive 15-30 minutes before the service to ensure that everything is as it should be. Your Funeral Director guides the process and together we ensure the ceremony flows well.
testimonials
"Thank you Karen for conducting Dad's ceremony in such a loving way. Mum and I were just talking about what a good job you made of telling Dads life story. I think she wants to book you for hers."
"Thank you again for the beautiful service you provided for Mum and the commemorative copy for safe keeping. Dad found the service very comforting."
"Wow, you made a great job of pulling together the story of our Dad from the ramblings we shared!"
Other services
Memorial Ceremony
Scattering of ashes ceremony
Pre- need funeral ceremony planning