Ceremonies by Leni Robson

07/07/2025

Doesn't seem like 5 minutes since I was here last! Today's topic is...what photo do you show everyone!

Now this is a topic dear to my heart. Photos invoke so much, they are a memory, a snapshot in time of being with people. There is a reason the photographers earn the bucks at weddings, the reason visual tributes are so remembered at funerals, because those moments are important.

What do you think? I'd love to see some of your favourite pictures in the comments!

27/06/2025

In the hairdressers waiting my turn which is no problem except its when Im left wondering....would a buzz cut suit me.....

Will today be the day that I give in to curiosity....

Stay tuned.....

27/06/2025

Come Say Hello!

This Saturday 28th June, I’ll be at Trent Valley Crematorium’s Open Day from 10.30am to 2.30pm – and I’d love to see you there.

It’s a gentle, welcoming day with behind-the-scenes tours, garden walks, and the chance to chat with local funeral folk (like me!).

I’ll be there with my stand sharing all things:
-Celebrant services – ceremonies that actually sound like the person
-Coffin Club Derby – talking about death in a safe, friendly way
-Edu-Therapy™ grief work – helping people move through grief, gently and practically

Whether you're curious, grieving, planning ahead or just fancy a chat, come and find me.

Our chair Ceremonies by Leni Robson is going to be at Trent Valley Crematorium on Saturday at their Open Day. You know we love a bit of education around all things funerals and what better way than to get to look round the inner workings of a crematorium. Busting those myths about what happens when the curtains close (Oooooh 'When the curtains close - good name for a book that....) and you can come and have a chat with Leni and other funeral professionals about ceremonies, alternative funerals, traditional funerals, direct cremations, pretty much anything really!

We hope to see you there!

26/06/2025

An unexpected Your Say on and today, following a recent article in we are being asked if we are proud to be from the Midlands.....

We've got William Shakespeare, George Eliot, the Wolds, the Peaks - loads to be proud of ..

So why are we so forgotten about?

Tune in at 10.00 to hear what I think amd let me know in the comments your views and ill see if I can get you a shout out!

21/06/2025

An early 3 miles with the dog this morning before I get ready to go play with my favourite tog at the wedding of some lovely friends and then....I GET TO STAY AND PLAY AFTERWARDS! Its my first visit to the lovely and I cant wait!

Mothership is coming to Brackensit so the Prof and I can have a day out celebrating. Its been a very very busy couple of months and this last few weeks have been particularly crazy. But the end will be worth it and for now there are these moments of calm, by a lake...that I didnt get in....

Have a lovely day yall....oh...and R and T ....I'm coming to wed ya!!

20/06/2025

That Doodah Photography and me went out to play with lots of other awesome suppliers. We did a thing. Well. We did a number of things. But this is one of them.

15/06/2025

Today’s about the dads — the stepdads, grandads, father figures, and the people who’ve shown up with love, laughter, and the occasional dodgy joke.

Some of us are celebrating. Some of us are remembering. And some of us are just muddling through the complicated feelings that Father’s Day can bring. However it lands for you, be gentle with yourself.

So here’s to the dads and those who have taken the place of fathers, the ones we have, the ones we’ve lost, and the stories we carry with us.

With love,

Leni x

Picture credit the wonderful lucyclaireillustration

14/06/2025

Its Saturday, its June and its all about to go crazy!

Todays wedding is at (and I am so excited to be writing this) for a beautiful couple who have flown in from Canada. I get to work with whose card has been on my wall since we met at a wedding fair a couple of years ago, weve got a handfasting going on, and they've worked so hard to pull this together from a whole other continent! I cant wait to see it all!

So I and C get ready....I'm coming to wed ya!!!!

11/06/2025

If any of you wonder what a celebrant does with her spare time....this one directs awesome people who create awesome characters. And its very apt because amateur originates from French, where it meant "lover of art". So love is in EVERYTHING I do!

This is a very silly, wonderful play about silly men and feisty women.

Come and see us at .castle from 16th to 19th July.

Its going to be spectacular.

Search Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company on Ticketsource.

30/05/2025

Between a ceremony at lovely Markeaton with and before heading to Lichfield Crematorium with a time to stop and refuel.

I like taking the time to place one ceremony down before moving onto the next. That way I know everyone has my focus when they need it. No distraction. Only love.

Im always looking for the best yoghurt/granola/berry breakfast in Derby...any tips....this one from has definitely made the list! Any suggestions?

Oh and the song...well that's today's special choice.

19/05/2025

A lot of people say they dont know how I do all I do with the celebranting and the nhsing and the directing and the Coffin Clubbing and the Batoning (yes the last two sound like some sort of crime...)

Truth is..without this man I couldn't. He drives me places, and makes models of castles and sometimes tries to problem solve when I just want to rant, and he takes me away when I have Derbyitis and he stands by cold lakes when I need to destress.

He's rubbish at liking my social media posts and understanding when I want a kebab no is an option. He's great at seeing something in a shop and suggesting it for someone's birthday even if that's not for another 10 months but less good at remembering if we bought it and if so...where we put it. I dont know how many of our friends realise those really thoughtful presents were chosen by him.He's great at not going up the wall when I discover John Pye Auctions...

He is the perfect practical foil to my arty farty ideas and the one who ensures I'm not bankrupt, or banged up. He is always on my side and I love him. He is not perfect...but he is perfect for me.

So happy birthday Dan. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for thinking im ok too. I hope you enjoyed your surprise weekend away that you had to drive too...