Wendy Anderson
Funeral Celebrant & Eulogist
I am a widow, mother and grandmother, who has been fascinated by people and storytelling all my life.
I love the way words, music, and art can bring much-needed comfort in troubled times and create a permanent memory.
Having spent a lifetime listening to unique stories that make up our lives, reading fiction and biographies, films, theatre, and art, I wanted to use this love to capture the unique stories belonging to those who had left us, and for those who remain behind. Give them their place in the storytelling tradition that maintains a memory and a continued presence of all of us.
With this in mind I trained with Celebrant Training Academy Scotland to ensure and assure that my professional standards were the highest. I graduated with Distinction and am very grateful for the support and standard of training afforded me.
Unique Stories - My PromiseMeaningful
To ensure the service or eulogy provides a meaningful reflection of a life and as such provides comfort and truth.
Choices
Depending on the event there are multiple choices that can be made in terms of the type of services – cremation; burial; interment; memorial; service of remembrance.
Within each of these, you also have multiple choices in relation to what you include and the mood, style, and tone of the service. This can be influenced by the choice of multiple means of expression – music, art, poetry, readings, photographs, videos, etc. The aim is to work closely with you and other collaborators – for example Funeral Directors and Chapel Attendants, or Cemetery Officials to ensure an event that is bespoke, and sensitive to your choices.
Why a Celebrant Service?
The choice of a celebrant service is very personal and reflects a desire to ensure the service has the means to create an experience that is befitting your loved one and you. It is not founded in any particular faith and is intended to celebrate a life lived. However, it can include any music, rituals or words that come from a faith that you feel is right for you.
Creating Your Space
How I go about the creation of this unique story and combining all the features you want is - I listen. I will visit you and gain a picture of you and the life and personality of your loved one. The contributions can come from anyone you want to involve, and I will work to create the mood and style that works best for you.
Rituals
In line with your wishes, different rituals can be included or added to the service. These will be discussed with you and the location of the service and wherever possible added exactly as you would want.
- Lighting of Candle - standard in every service
- Flowers – laying on / Scattering – natural petals
- Letters – laying on
- Photos – laying on
- Angels’ Share / Toast
- Memory Box
- Other bespoke
Mementos
To help support the memory of the eulogy and the event itself, the chief mourner will receive a scroll of the printed eulogy, and the candle and taper used during the service. This can be delivered at the service or at a later date. Choices being very important at this time, and time to make decisions important.
You might also want to discuss with the Funeral Director the Order of Service as a keepsake; packets of seeds to be scattered; or a flower to be kept by those attending (these are just examples).
Commitment to Funeral Directors
My purpose is to mesh seamlessly with the services of the Funeral Director and ensure that the collaboration enriches the experience for the bereaved. This is a stage in a journey we cannot call ‘take two’ on. Everything has to be done to the highest of personal and professional standards leaving nothing to risk or regret. The deceased and bereaved deserve the utmost respect and all behaviours should have this as their guiding principle.
My approach to Celebrancy is the collation and creation of a narrative that fits within the ‘funeral space/s’. Some services will be shorter than others, but that will be because that is determined by the circumstances and wishes of the bereaved, but no service will exceed to the parameters allowed by the venue, and will show full respect for the style of the Funeral Director and the venue.
This is one of the toughest decisions you will make at a time that is incredibly hard. My role is to support that, and help you begin the grieving process.
Inclusive
I want to provide you with a narrative that recognises diversity and is accessible to all.
Thoughts
The following are a collection of commentaries I have made that I thought may be useful in informing your choices, and also in providing you with a sense of my style and my commitment to storytelling; creating a story as we go through our lives; things that can influence and add to our story; and some history behind where we find ourselves in relation to funerals and grieving.
Memorable
My aim is to leave you with something memorable and a source of comfort during this difficult time.
Kind Words
Comments on Services and Eulogies
“Thank you Wendy! Love the style of writing and how you’ve captured dad.”
“I just wanted to thank you very much for your delivery of dad’s eulogy. Everyone commented positively back at Norwood and said what a lovely service it had been. “
“That’s a lovely eulogy.” Funeral Director
“You made it really easy to talk when I didn’t know where to start and helped me when I felt really alone. The service was perfect.”
"Thank you Wendy. The service was lovely and you got Bruce to a tee".
"I just wanted to say thank you for your efforts. You captured dad well, and brought back many memories."
"The service meant everyone left with a smile on their face - just as Mum would have wanted"
"The service was perfect and we will treasure the candle and the scrolls. It's a profound time for a family and you enabled such a beautiful goodbye for my children, Kevin and myself."
"That is so lovely Wendy a beautiful description of her"
"I just wanted to thank you for today's service. I couldn't have asked for more for my mum. It was just lovely and personal. Everyone commented on how wonderful it was and especially the way you conducted it."
"We’d all like to convey our thanks for the service which was moving but not hard. It definitely was a celebration of Forbes life, limited as it was. The scrolls are a lovely touch and a remembrance of how nice a service it was."
Client feedback
Guide to Surviving Grief
“Cry whenever you need to. Scream. Shout. Lay on the floor. Sob in the shower. Be still. Run. Walk. Create. Live your truth. Share without fear. Listen. Release your pain. Breathe. Be courageous. Throw away the map. Wander. Be real. Be compassionate. Read. Seek friendship. Be vulnerable. Don't fear being broken.”
Zoe Clark-Coates
Unique
I will include content unique to the person and their lives, and in a style, mood and tone that befits them.
Contact
For an informal chat please fill in the form below. I will then get in touch with you, discuss your enquiry and we can establish if and how I can help you.