James Terry - Civil Celebrant

Name: James Terry - Civil Celebrant
Address: Crosland Hill Road, Huddersfield, HD4, GB
Telephone: +447816975466
Price range: Not Applicable
Rating: 5

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James Terry - Civil Celebrant

Celebrant based in Huddersfield, specialising in unique & heartfelt ceremonies. Member of the Association of Independent Celebrants since 2022.
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National Runner-Up in the 2024 AOIC Celebrant Awards for the category 'Outstanding Funeral Celebrant'. 🌟 I am a passionate and dedicated Independent Civil Celebrant based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire - but this need not be a restriction to where I can practice celebrancy. I work very closely with the individuals and families to create bespoke, beautiful and memorable ceremonies to be cherished

forevermore. I am a member of the Association of Independent Celebrants, a professional body who strive for excellence. Before I trained in civil celebrancy, I had an established and successful teaching career as a secondary Religious Studies teacher as I graduated with a degree in Theology & Education from BG University College in Lincoln. I taught Religious Studies and Philosophy & Ethics for many years, teaching up to A-Level and spent some time as a Head of Department in a local school in Calderdale. In more recent years I have thrived and enjoyed working as a supply teacher in and around Huddersfield, continuing to positively contribute to the growth of young people. This is something I continue to do alongside my work as a Celebrant. My teaching career has brought many honed skills and a whole host of experience to my role as a Celebrant. I am charismatic, approachable and I have you at the very heart of all I do. Some of you might recognise me from driving local bus services in and around the Huddersfield area - I also hold a full bus PSV licence. I am a dynamic character, who will help you create the ceremony of your dreams or one that is incredibly fitting for the occasion in hand. Don't hesitate to get in touch! I would love to talk to you about what you want to achieve. Your day, your way! There is no other way!

06/11/2024

To mourn a life can also be to celebrate a life. This was certainly true this morning.

93 years of life to commemorate. A life well lived indeed, with a longevity to be admired.

A Barnsley lady through and through, working for many years at Tin Oyle, a now long gone local firm.

Thank you to Dawn, our Funeral Director, Craig and all the team at Hammerton's. Beautifully conducted as always. An honour to be this lady's chosen Celebrant.

05/11/2024

As some of you will have already gathered, I was asked to guest speak on a brilliant podcast series called the 'Pit Pony Podcast', which explores the lives, ventures and successes of teachers who have left the classroom.

The 'Pit Pony' analogy is a good one, as a 'Pit Pony' knows no other life than that of the colliery and pit.

Please, if you can, take a listen. It is officially released tomorrow, but I know the links are live - so please go ahead and listen. It is available on many major platforms. I cannot quite believe I am on Spotify or Amazon Music! (some platforms may come live tomorrow).

This is the first time I have shared my story, my journey, in a truthful, honest and hopefully positive way. I hope family, friends, teachers I have taught with along the way, fellow celebrant colleagues and of course, those I have worked with as a celebrant, can all take something away with them from listening to this podcast.

Buzzsprout - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2415215/episodes/15997424-009-pit-pony-james-terry-classroom-to-civil-celebrant

Apple Podcasts -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pit-pony-podcast-life-after-teaching/id1775695096

Spotify -
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2y3QFUgLnzpDdKH86RGl06

Amazon Music -
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f83fd290-fdb1-4e7c-bb27-0eb2a60bd687/episodes/3a316e12-45cf-4e94-a752-369d1cee33c3/the-pit-pony-podcast---life-after-teaching-009---pit-pony-james-terry---classroom-to-civil-celebrant

Other streaming services are listed below - you may want to use one, please search for the 'Pit Pony Podcast'.

Thank you everyone :)

fans

04/11/2024

Start drumming up support for the first ever Funeral Celebrant Day, a new awareness day in recognition of the hard work of funeral celebrants, hosted by Coffin Club UK

The day will take place on Friday, November 22, so get promoting as soon as you can!

Find out more here: https://independentcelebrants.com/get-ready-for-awareness-day-for-funeral-celebrants

04/11/2024

This afternoon we gathered in the South Chapel for a fond farewell to a much loved lady.

Having worked with the family before, it was an honour to be asked again.

I read a beautiful tribute written by her daughter and we shared in a photo tribute set to Queen's 'These Are the Days of Our Lives'- lyrically very poignant.

Thank you to Sam and the team from TW Birks and Son for their care and compassion. Sam has also been a constant for the family.

02/11/2024

I don't wish this post to be remotely self-indulgent. But I cannot believe how quickly the year is going!

October has been an amazing month- dare I say career affirming?

⭐️runner-up 'Outstanding Funeral Celebrant' award.
⭐️AOIC conference.
⭐️being invited as a guest speaker on the powerful Pit Pony Podcast, available on major streaming platforms such as Apple and Spotify.
⭐️continuing to work with many great Funeral Directors, many of which I've worked with for around 2.5 years now.
⭐️meeting lovely families, who whilst often in a dark time of loss, allow me the honour of supporting with the service.
⭐️meeting a lovely couple who's wedding celebration I am officiating in Richmond next May.
⭐️receiving heartfelt and sincere feedback.
⭐️working alongside wonderful fellow Celebrants who are also good friends- support is important.
⭐️doing this full time- in actual real terms (and some often).

Thankful is an understatement.

01/11/2024

Genuinely humbled by such sincere and heartfelt feedback. I completely get why writing an email like this a week later is difficult. Whilst the service did him justice and was beautiful, it's also the toughest of days and those of us involved are inherently a reminder of the day.

From a service officiated alongside Ruthanne Lever and the team at W Lever.

01/11/2024

The 1.30pm service at Park Wood was dedicated to a man who hailed from Bury, but had lived in the Calderdale area since 1976.

A small gathering of his nearest and dearest came together to say farewell.

Guns n Roses numbers played us in and out of the chapel- fitting for a guy who loved to play the guitar.

Thank you to Steve, Claire and Kevin from Emotions for everything they have at this difficult time.

31/10/2024

This morning we gathered in the Scholemoor chapel to say goodbye to a dad, grandad and brother.

Family led the two tributes and we shared in some poignant pieces of music.

We then headed to the cemetery as the clock struck midday, where we laid him to rest next to his beloved wife, who he lost in 2017. Now together forever.

Thank you to Tom Roo and all the team from W Lever.

30/10/2024

🎶 Music was our golden thread this afternoon, woven throughout his service 🎶

A musician, song writer, record producer and music teacher.

Five pieces of music included in our double slot service. This included one he wrote himself- 'Warrior'.

Thank you to Steve and the team from Emotions Funeral Service.

28/10/2024

The reason I asked about songs/books & films in yesterday's post, was not about music to be played, but whether an extract or verse/chorus could be used as a reading.

27/10/2024

Is there a song/ book/ film that relates to your life? Or talks to you as a person? Perhaps it brings comfort/ reassurance?
I'll explain why I've asked later. Please share in the comments.

27/10/2024

It's been good to recharge with my other half, Kerry, this weekend. Having taken Friday off and heading to London on the train. Today we are heading home, collecting our daughter from her grandparents and getting ready for the week ahead.

25/10/2024

🏅National Runner-Up in the recent Association of Independent Celebrants Awards 2024"-
'Outstanding Funeral Celebrant'.

Your local Outstanding Funeral Celebrant serving West Yorkshire, Barnsley, North Sheffield and surrounding areas.

(Forgive me- it's still a novelty to write this!)

24/10/2024

A privilege to join such a talented and professional lineup.

A huge congratulations to all of our winners, runners-up and nominees. 👏🏼 A wonderful evening.

We wish everyone attending a very safe journey home. Until next time …

24/10/2024

My second service today, the 2pm at Scholemoor Crematorium was for a Bradford City fan. Hence the amazing floral football display.

We shared in a fun reading and let his love of Pink Floyd shine- with three pieces of their soundtrack used.

He leaves a sad void, departing too soon at 56.

Thank you to Ruthanne Lever and the team from W Lever for everything they have done.

24/10/2024

🏌️‍♂️ 🏌️‍♀️ Today we said goodbye to a top class golfer 🏌️‍♀️

But more importantly a brilliant dad and grandfather.

With a full chapel and overflowing into the foyer, we shared his story and heard from a valued friend about his golfing career at Crow Nest Golf Club.

Thank you to Steve -our Funeral Director, Claire, John and Kevin from Emotions.

23/10/2024

Meeting two lovely ladies to arrange their dream Celebrant led wedding celebration ceremony. 🍾 💍💍

Address

Crosland Hill Road
Huddersfield
HD4

Telephone

+447816975466

Website

http://www.jamesterrycelebrant.co.uk/

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Videos

Meeting two lovely ladies to arrange their dream Celebrant led wedding celebration ceremony. 🍾 💍💍

Seen as my last proper video was back on the 26th July, hopefully you won't mind my shot at another. Podcast will be released on Spotify, Apple and other platforms. Thank you 😊 #associationofindependentcelebrants #outstandingfuneralcelebrantfinalist2024 #LifeAfterTeaching #puttingcelebrancyinthenorthonthemap @top fans

I never do videos, but thought I'd share some reflections and insights into life as a funeral celebrant. Pre-recorded as Facebook live is most likely beyond me! Have a good weekend everyone. 🤩

Lovely day out with the family for Father's Day. Daddy and Indigo being (mild) thrill seekers! 😅

Some lovely feedback today from services this month with W Lever Ltd and Hammerton's. Always an honour.

It was my honour to lead a service for a lady who lived a remarkable 93 years. We beautifully reflected her Belfast roots through music and words of tribute. It was only last month that I officiated her husband's service. To be asked again, meant so much. For the family to lose them both so close together was on one hand heartbreaking. But on the other, it was fitting that they lived their lives so connected, that they went virtually, although not quite, side by side. They take comfort in that they are reunited once again. Thank you to Mark and the team from Lawrence Funeral Home in Halifax for their compassion and care. #dignityfuneral #lawrencefuneral

This is very true. Although sometimes the reality is hard with the constraints of life- time, money, children etc. But working in the funeral industry makes you realise how true this is. Even if you can't book that flight, or the right job isn't out there currently to apply for- do something for you, however big or small. Life is short. Live it to the full. I now completely understand bucket lists and living for today. Tomorrow isn't promised. 💕 It's your journey, your path, your story 📖✒️.