Nicky Sutton - Independent Celebrant

15/06/2024

This applies to everyone in the UK too.

Father’s Day is hard. 🧡

From Refuge In Grief

Here in the US, and many other countries around the world, Father's Day is upon us. We're thinking of all the people for whom this weekend is especially difficult.

The third Sunday in June (plus all the advertising and social media activity leading up to and around it) seriously sucks for so many people, in so many different ways.

However this Father's Day affects you, one of the most important things we can do for ourselves, especially on extra-difficult days, is be kind to ourselves. Grief requires kindness. Self-kindness. For all you have had to live.

Treating yourself kindly won't change grief itself, but it will make things easier on your mind and your heart.

Self-kindness is recognizing when you need to back off a bit. It's allowing your pain to exist without judgement, in trusting yourself, and in saying yes to what helps and no to what does not. Kindness means not letting your own mind beat you up.

Whatever your loss — father-related or no — I hope this weekend gifts you with something that lets you feel held, if only for a moment.

How does this thing impact you? Is it hard for you, or is it a non-issue? If it's not a sore point for you, how does the father-related pain of others affect you? Let us know in the comments.

NOTE: If you do not identify with or understand why something was included on this graphic, that's ok. That also does NOT give you license to judge, question, or complain about it in the comments. Please keep your opinions about other people's grief to yourself. This community is a NO GRIEF-SHAMING zone.

06/06/2024

The Pride flag is a symbol of unity and each colour was chosen to represent a different meaning, it isn’t a marketing tool.

Introduction by Ellie Farrell

13/05/2024

Today marks the start of Mental Awareness Week.
This year's theme is 'movement: moving more for our mental health'

08/05/2024

We are in the middle of Dying Matters Awareness Week. This year the focus is on how we talk about dying matters.

For Dying Matters Awareness Week (6 - 12 May 2024), communities across the UK will come together to talk about the language that we use around death, dying and grief.

29/04/2024

This will be a really useful session for all funeral celebrants

https://www.facebook.com/share/Zbyf95u4GHjQsBYc/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Marketing for Funeral Celebrants

23/04/2024

What to go for for tomorrow. Cats on roller skates or hearts?

18/04/2024

I don’t normally share things like this, but this email is what it’s all about. 😊

11/03/2024

This is heartbreaking for all the families involved. Two people have now been arrested and 34 bodies removed from the premises. These people obviously have no conscience.

Police have also set up a helpline for those who may have used the business.

08/03/2024

Happy International Women's Day. Whatever role you play, you are all amazing!

27/02/2024

A beautiful hand woven willow coffin was chosen for the funeral of D. Her family chose every element of the ceremony to make it all about her, and also joined in weaving her coffin thanks to the wonderful

26/02/2024

If you are considering training to become a celebrant, you should research celebrant training companies before you decide to sign up with one.

25/02/2024

You can’t afford to miss this.

https://choicecelebranttraining.com/how-to-display-at-wedding-fairs/?fbclid=IwAR2DN9gyyxRW6gf-5u6e_TxlQDewl85bI7fU0MlHrMepUPBym-K3z1LRzAc_aem_AaRSZmMUFCg6bToSH46cEVx361w7D-MDdQ-Hxyuu5udqr7m3NDyaQjYVgZP7QFkD6BE

24/02/2024

Personalised training with us doesn’t mean 1-2-1 celebrant training (this is available as standard).
Personalised celebrant training means each course is tailored to what each person wants to learn.

If you want to learn how to create alternative ceremonies, we teach you.

If you want to learn how to create Pagan ceremonies, we teach you.

If you want to learn how to create quirky ceremonies, we teach you.

If you want to learn how to create themed ceremonies, we teach you.

If you want to specialise in handfasting, we teach you.

If you want to learn how to create Viking style ceremonies, we teach you. (Viking style in a costume and Norse ceremonies aren’t the same thing).

If you want to learn how to create gothic, romantic ceremonies, we teach you.

If you want to learn how to specialise in fun, guest interactive ceremonies, we teach you.

If you want to learn how to create modern wedding, funeral and life events ceremonies, we teach you.

If you want to learn how to create ceremonies for specific lifestyles or beliefs, we teach you.

If you want to learn how to write standard, traditional, templated ceremonies, we DO NOT teach you as this isn’t what we teach.

No other celebrant training company offers this.

If you are looking for personalised celebrant training, do your research. Ask what experience any prospective trainers have in your required subjects.

This is your journey and you need to start off on the right path to get to your chosen destination.

21/02/2024

Funerals are changing as more people move away from old traditions. Celebrants need to match these changes. Could you be a modern, forward thinking Funeral Celebrant?

Our Funeral Celebrant Training Courses have been devised and created to offer modern funeral celebrancy exercises, give updated knowledge and information relevant for funeral celebrants of the present and the future.

You will learn how to create and narrate personalised funerals, celebrations of life, memorial, scattering of ashes and interring of ashes ceremonies.

Our course materials are regularly updated and have all been written by us at Choice Celebrant Training.
We do not write courses for others, nor do we teach courses others have written.

20/02/2024

It’s National Love Your Pet today. We had the beautiful Bonnie join us this morning for the funeral of a lady who loved her pets and all animals.

14/02/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0HBy4J9gGsoQT2jgRKpNrCKVZWc6Bh5jRqECG9Wq3aLCB1d7nkva7oW2FnPUpVy1Vl&id=100051105498069

14/02/2024

Thank you to Option B for sharing this. For those who are grieving today can be particularly hard with social media full of posts from people celebrating their love.

For those who are grieving the loss of a partner, a holiday like Valentine's Day when couples are openly celebrating their love, can make the absence feel that much more apparent and that much more painful.

But in this quote from author Mitch Albom of "Tuesdays with Morrie" fame, he reminds us that just because the life of a person we love ends, doesn't mean the love that was there dies with them ❤️

What feelings are coming up for you with Valentine's Day being tomorrow? We want to hear from you in the comments below ⤵️

24/01/2024

How to create alternative and creative unity ceremonies presentation

13/01/2024

A different funeral ceremony for me yesterday. J’s family wanted a funeral in the beautiful St Cuthberts Church in Wells, but didn’t want a full religious service. The service was led by Sam, the vicar from St Cuthberts, with the tribute and later the graveside ceremony led my myself.
It was a day of tears laughter and music that was a reflection of the personality and spirit of a much loved young lady. 🩵💛🦋

13/01/2024

Funeral celebrants, do you want to know how to engage with funeral directors by hearing it directly from funeral directors?

Do you want to ask funeral directors what they are looking for from celebrants?

Do you want to know how to get more work from funeral directors?

If so, you have an opportunity to meet with two funeral directors on Zoom, taking pace on Sunday 28th January 4pm-5.30pm.
Talking about making and building connections with celebrants, what expectations are of modern funeral celebrants, and any other questions you want to ask them.

Open to all funeral celebrants, sign up link below.
(Fee doesn't apply to Choice Celebrant Training Community celebrants).

How to create alternative and creative unity ceremonies presentation

22/12/2023

15/12/2023

Please share

This is always one of our most popular posts.

We know how important it is to remember those who have died, so please talk about them. 🧡

https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/

05/12/2023

National Grief Awareness Week takes place from December 2nd to December 8th, providing a dedicated period for individuals, organizations, and communities to come together to acknowledge and address the various aspects of grief.

Getting involved in National Grief Awareness Week is a way of supporting those who are grieving and help to break down the barriers surrounding grief.
Here are some ways to get involved:

Share Personal Stories: Encourage people to share their experiences with grief, this can help others feel less alone in their grief journey.

Attend Grief Support Events: Look for local or online grief support events, workshops, and seminars. These can provide valuable information and a supportive community for those in need.

Offer a Listening Ear: Sometimes, the most significant support you can provide is to listen without judgment. Offer your time and empathy to someone who is grieving.

Spread Awareness: Use social media and other platforms to share information about National Grief Awareness Week, including facts about grief and resources for support.

Support Grief Organisations: Contribute to or volunteer with organisations dedicated to helping individuals cope with grief and loss.

Image from The Good Grief Trust who provide a wealth of advice and support. https://www.facebook.com/thegoodgrieftrust

05/12/2023

National Grief Awareness Week takes place from December 2nd to December 8th, providing a dedicated period for individuals, organizations, and communities to come together to acknowledge and address the various aspects of grief.

Getting involved in National Grief Awareness Week is a way of supporting those who are grieving and help to break down the barriers surrounding grief.
Here are some ways to get involved:

Share Personal Stories: Encourage people to share their experiences with grief, this can help others feel less alone in their grief journey.

Attend Grief Support Events: Look for local or online grief support events, workshops, and seminars. These can provide valuable information and a supportive community for those in need.

Offer a Listening Ear: Sometimes, the most significant support you can provide is to listen without judgment. Offer your time and empathy to someone who is grieving.

Spread Awareness: Use social media and other platforms to share information about National Grief Awareness Week, including facts about grief and resources for support.

Support Grief Organisations: Contribute to or volunteer with organisations dedicated to helping individuals cope with grief and loss.

Image from The Good Grief Trust who provide a wealth of advice and support. https://www.facebook.com/thegoodgrieftrust

11/10/2023

My office for the day

05/10/2023

A long trip out today to take A back to Torquay

27/09/2023

An interesting blog about the demand for celebrants.

Are you interested in becoming a wedding or funeral celebrant but have concerns you will gain work?Are there too many celebrants?Is there a demand for

20/08/2023

Are you interested in training to become a wedding or funeral celebrant?Are you overwhelmed by the many training companies you may have seen online and not