White lilies are probably the most associated flower with funerals. Ever wondered why?

funeral flowersDavid WillisMay 18, 2021funeral celebrant, funeral service, funeral directors, funeral florist, funeral flowers, funeral chapel, funeral, sheffield funeral flowers, sheffield funeral celebrant, sheffield funeral director, sheffield, sheffield funeral, white lilies, peace, celebrant training, funeral celebrant training

Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall

Afterglow is one of the most requested funeral poems. It is written by Helen Lowrie Marshall and is optimistic and upbeat about living with loss.

funeral poemDavid WillisMay 17, 2021afterglow, funeral poem, poem, funeral celebrant, funeral service, funeral directors, funeral, funeral chapel, sheffield funeral celebrant, sheffield funeral director, sheffield funeral, sheffield

When Someone Dies Long Before Their Time

When someone dies, what feels like, long before their time, the grief stages of denial, anger & bargaining can feel particularly long & challenging. It is quite normal for people in shock & grief to frequently ask of themselves or of others: “what if...”

Bereavement, GriefDavid WillisMay 16, 2021grief, bereavement, loss, death, funeral service, funeral chapel, funeral, funeral celebrant, funeral directors, sheffield funeral, sheffield funeral director, sheffield, sheffield funeral celebrant

What are the 5 Stages of Grief?

Grief takes it own time. Whilst there is much evidence for “the 5 stages of grief” that most people feel when living with loss or bereavement, everyone is different with how & for how long they experience each stage. So what are the “5 stages of Grief?”

Grief, BereavementDavid WillisMay 15, 2021grief, bereavement, loss, death, mourning, funeral service, funeral chapel, funeral, funeral celebrant, funeral directors, sheffield funeral director, sheffield funeral, sheffield, sheffield funeral celebrant, celebrant training, funeral celebrant training

Funeral Wishes

Talking about death & dying is not a joyous topic of conversation at any time, especially after a pandemic, but research shows it brings peace of mind to everyone once the conversations have been had. My “Funeral Wishes” is FREE to download and can help.

Preparing for your death, funeral, Funeral ServiceDavid WillisMay 14, 2021funeral celebrant, funeral service, funeral, funeral directors, sheffield, sheffield funeral, sheffield funeral director, sheffield funeral celebrant, celebrant training, funeral celebrant training

What's the difference between coffin bearers and pall bearers?

When arranging a funeral, a family is often asked if they want coffin bearers or pall bearers? What are they? Do you need them? Hopefully this information may help.

What is a Eulogy?

A funeral can be whatever the next of kin or family want. Normally however, it usually involves some sort of eulogy or telling the life story of the person who has died.

Funeral ServiceDavid WillisMay 12, 2021civil celebrant, celebrant, funeral celebrant, funeral, funeral chapel, funeral directors, funeral service, sheffield funeral, sheffield, sheffield funeral celebrant, sheffield funeral director, funeral celebrant training, celebrant training

Which Crematoria is best in Sheffield?

Sheffield has three crematoria: City Road, Hutcliffe Wood and Grenoside. So which should you use? Here is some information to help you.

funeralDavid WillisMay 11, 2021civil celebrant, celebrant, funeral celebrant, funeral, funeral chapel, funeral directors, sheffield funeral, sheffield funeral celebrant, sheffield funeral director, cremation, crematorium, sheffield, celebrant training, funeral celebrant training, funeral celebrants near me, celebrant near me

Leisure by William Henry Davies

“What is Life if, full of care…” is the famous start to a poem that many people will have heard, but few can remember its name. It is a beautiful and popular choice in a funeral service.

funeral poemDavid WillisMay 10, 2021celebrant, civil celebrant, funeral celebrant, funeral poem, funeral, funeral chapel, funeral directors, funeral service, sheffield, sheffield funeral flowers, sheffield funeral, sheffield funeral celebrant, sheffield funeral director, celebrant training, funeral celebrant training

Why White Flowers at a Funeral?

Ever wondered why white flowers are such a popular, traditional and classic choice at a funeral?

There are four good reasons why.

funeral flowersDavid WillisMay 9, 2021celebrant, civil celebrant, sheffield funeral celebrant, funeral celebrant, funeral flowers, funeral, funeral chapel, funeral directors, funeral service, sheffield funeral flowers, sheffield, sheffield funeral, sheffield funeral director, celebrant training, funeral celebrant training

The Wonderful Willow or Wicker Casket

coffinDavid WillisMay 8, 2021funeral celebrant, funeral service, funeral directors, funeral chapel, funeral, sheffield funeral celebrant, sheffield funeral flowers, sheffield funeral, sheffield, sheffield funeral director, civil celebrant, celebrant, coffin, celebrant training, funeral celebrant training, funeral celebrants near me

Sunflowers of Joy - A Tribute for a Life Well Lived

Sunflowers are symbolic of pure joy. So what better way to pay tribute to someone who was joyous in life with a sunflower wreath.

Short Poem for a Dog Lover

There are many wonderful poems to honour the love of a person who has died & their beloved dog. This is just a short one.

Floral Funeral Tributes

The inventiveness & talent of Sheffield’s florists never fails to amaze me.

A Thing Of Beauty by John Keats

Online Testimonials From Families I have Helped

It is an honour to support and help families in the way that I do. I am truly humbled but also proud of the testimonials many of my families feel they want to share with others online either on Google or on The Celebrant Directory.

What Happens at the Committal in a Cremation Service?

In a cremation funeral service, the point of the committal is a time when the family have a choice of either keeping the curtains open or closed. It is purely personal preference. But how do you decide?

Making a Personal Tribute

It is wonderful when a member of the family or friend feels able to speak at a funeral. It is not easy however, even for a seasoned public speaker. As your funeral celebrant, I am always there to help.

What is a Living Tribute?

A “Living Tribute” is a funeral tribute or eulogy written whilst the person is still alive. For many people, they like to tie up lose ends. Hence, they organise funeral financial plans to pay for their funeral before they die. By co-creating your own tribute and eulogy before you die, you have control over how your life story is told. You also get to read about all the lovely tributes people say about your life and your contribution to their life and the world.

David Willis, Celebrant - Acorn 2 Oak Ceremonies

Celebrating a life Blog