Indigoheart Celebrant

15/11/2023

Celebrating all of the wonderful work that celebrants do on World Celebrant Week 2023.
Such a privilege and an honour to be a celebrant.

01/11/2023

Hello November… let’s be having you!

15/09/2023

💜 Today, I am helping a family say goodbye to special husband, dad, grandad and friend to many. He was a real character, and the service is full of incredibly funny stories of his life, and a bit of fruity language at the families request I might add.
He was also a massive Newcastle United fan and we will be honouring his love of the mighty Toon Army!
A light-hearted humorous funeral isn’t right for everyone…but it is very fitting on this occasion. A day to remember. 💜

15/09/2023

I am sure most of us have heard of the Rainbow Bridge poem… well this is the real and very beautiful story of how it came to be. 💜

https://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/article/the-rainbow-bridge-the-true-story-behind-historys-most-influential-piece-of-animal-mourning-literature/?fbclid=IwAR1195LYLNp-sTm2kFFzS39urUOcJOpW1vVZCpbwcvn9vMyTqYW2BLa_fXk_aem_AS_UzYV5PC1OgVIy5LWhUQOuJg8yC54qFW1MfLwuvZyzp-r5ODk_NnwY5syi4-TaUUE

If you meet your pet in the afterlife, thank Edna Clyne-Rekhy

10/09/2023

💜On the 6th anniversary of losing you Mum, we remember just how very special you were. There isn’t a single day that passes when we don’t speak of you and count ourselves blessed to have had you in our lives. Wherever you are Diane Kepner, I hope you watching over us as we move forward with our own lives. Miss you Mum 💜

08/09/2023

Helping a family to say goodbye to ‘M’ this week was a special honour. Heart of England Crematorium https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087214103336 was fit to bursting with friends and family wearing Christmas jumpers in honour of ‘M’s love of the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, I was more than happy to wear my completely understated Christmas tree hat. The 30 degree heat did not deter the celebration of ‘M’s life!
Thank you to https://www.facebook.com/jehackettandsons J. E. Hackett & Sons for their professionalism as always, and their kindness and care towards ‘M’s family.

08/09/2023

Helping a family to say goodbye to ‘M’ this week was a special honour. Heart of England Crematorium was fit to bursting with friends and family wearing Christmas jumpers in honour of ‘M’s love of the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, I was more than happy to wear my completely understated Christmas tree hat. The 30 degree heat did not deter the celebration of ‘M’s life!
Thank you to https://www.facebook.com/jehackettandsons J. E. Hackett & Sons for their professionalism as always, and their kindness and care towards ‘M’s family.

07/09/2023

It's always so lovely to receive feedback from families, especially at a time when they are feeling hurt and loss. The fact that they have taken the time to write a note of thanks, is so special.

Thank you R & H. It was my honour to help you to celebrate your aunt with precious memories of her life.

07/09/2023

It's always so lovely to receive feedback from families, especially at a time when they are feeling hurt and loss. The fact that they have taken the time to write a note of thanks, is so special.

Thank you R & H. It was my honour to help you to celebrate your aunt with precious memories of her life.

10/08/2023

When someone has gone,
you can bring them back
for just a little while
by talking them into life
by painting a picture
with your memories and your words
breathing their essence
back into existence
for just a few moments.

When someone has gone
you can see them again
for a minute or two
by being all the things they once were
by allowing their best traits
to filter through you
shaping your words,
your thoughts and your deeds
back out into this world.

When someone has gone
you can feel them again
for just a moment
by playing their music
and singing their favourite songs
by giving yourself up to the notes
that brought them alive
once upon a time
it will again.

When someone has gone
you can keep a part of them alive
by giving the love you had for them
a forever place in your life
a forever seat at your table
and a glorious chapter in your book.

Stories never die
tell them.

From ‘I Wish I Knew’
https://amzn.to/3JVMJlZ

Beautiful art by The Art of Jennifer Yoswa

I Wish I Knew: Poems to Soothe Your Soul & Strengthen Your Spirit

05/07/2023

💜 Heavenly sky above Stoke Golding Church this afternoon 💜

05/07/2023

Heavenly sky above Stoke Golding Church this afternoon.

18/06/2023

Happy Fathers Day to the one and only Cliff Kepner! One in a million! 💜

18/06/2023

This is my favourite photo of me and the forever young Cliff! Happy Fathers day Dad. You really are one in a million! 💜

01/06/2023

💜One year since your beautiful soul departed…. much too soon. I will forever be indebted to you Jo. I miss you and think about you so often. My kindred spirit and beautiful friend💜

11/05/2023

Springtime at The Heart Of England Crematorium. Two simple yet beautiful ceremonies this morning surrounded by the tranquility nature. 💜

03/05/2023

Stoke Golding is looking pretty this morning. 🌤️

14/04/2023

Our living memories are the greatest gift. Take some time today to capture a moment from the past, that brings your lost loved one so clearly into focus and makes you realise just how blessed you were to have had them in your life.

10/04/2023

The generosity of families through their kind words at their time of loss is humbling.

09/04/2023

Have a wonderful day, whatever you have planned. A day off from Celebrant life for me…time to relax, spend time with family, eat chocolate!

29/03/2023

Some words of comfort from the brilliant Donna Ashworth

MAYBE PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO STOP GRIEVING…

Maybe they are terrified,
that the grief they feel is the last thing they have left of that person.
That if they move on from the grief,
they will lose the final connection.
The only tie.

Maybe people feel united with their loved one,
in the realm just outside our reality.
United in pain and loss.
Banished to a parallel universe where they can both exist together,
still together.

Maybe that’s just too precious to move on from.

So if you are in this place, or you know someone who is,
maybe you can remind them that they are completely connected to their lost one,
in so many more wonderful ways than just the loss.
How can they not be?
Inch for inch the pain they feel equals the love they shared.

At the end of the day, it’s all just love.
And there is no need to banish either.
They can exist side by side,
grief and love.

And they do,

every day.

Donna Ashworth

From ‘LOSS’
UK: https://amzn.eu/d/fwIp4VX
US: https://a.co/d/cQC9Wet

Art by Muhammad Sala

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF I WISH I KNEW For those cast adrift in the lonely sea of grief, this collection offers solace for when the water gets rough. Donna Ashworth's poetry reminds us that love and grief are intertwined, and life's true treasure lies in those we hold most dear...

19/03/2023

Forever learning. All set for three days of creativity.

04/03/2023

Get your spark on ladies…. We are not invisible!

TO THE WOMAN WHO IS SLOWLY FADING AWAY...

To the woman who has lost her spark.
To the woman whose get up and go, has well and truly gone.
This is for you.
This is to remind you whose daughter you are.
This is to remind you, that you don’t have to be everything to everyone, every day.
You didn’t sign up for that.
Remember when you used to laugh? Sing? Throw caution to the wind?
Remember when you used to forgive yourself more quickly for not always being perfect.
You can get that back again.
You really can.
And that doesn’t have to mean letting people down or walking away.
It just means being kinder to you, feeling brave enough to say no sometimes.
Being brave enough to stop sometimes.
And rest.
It starts the moment you realise that you’re not quite who you used to be.
Some of that is good, some of that is not.
There are parts of you that need to be brought back.
And if anyone in your life is not okay with that... they are not your people.
Your people will be glad to see that spark starting to light up again.
So, if you have been slowly fading away my friend, this is the time to start saying yes to things that bring you joy and no to things that don’t.
It’s really pretty simple.

Donna Ashworth
From ‘to the women’

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LRGWY74/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_QXYBP1XQNKBHB07D6QHC

Image by Kevin Carden

To The Woman is the second book from History Will Remember author, and social media wordsmith, Donna Ashworth. Donna’s poems and essays for women are constantly flying around the internet bringing positivity and solidarity. This collection contains 48 favourite poems, plus beautiful quotes; truly....

23/02/2023

Some words of comfort….

FEATHERS

I sent you a little white feather
I placed it right there in your way
I wrapped it in love with a message
to let you know you’ll be okay

I drew you a colourful rainbow
It followed your car for a while
I made a spectacular rainbow
I hoped it would show me your smile

I flew down a beautiful robin
It landed right there on your ledge
I prayed he would give you the strength
to push yourself back from the edge

I try every day to remind you
that I never did go away
the feathers, the rainbows, the robins
are my way of trying to stay.

🪶🌈 🕊
Donna Ashworth
From ‘LOSS’; poems to better weather the many waves of grief
https://amzn.eu/d/fwIp4VX

This beautiful illustration is by Demelsa Haughton Illustration

Loss: Poems to better weather the many waves of grief

17/02/2023

Some beautiful words of comfort for anyone needing this today.

10/02/2023

THERE WAS A TIME

There was a time I would have set myself on fire, to keep others warm.
There was a time I would have crossed oceans to reach people who wouldn’t cross a stream for me.
There was a time I would try, too hard, to be seen by those, who would simply never see me.
There was a time I felt myself unworthy of a person, who could actually never be worthy of me.
But not anymore.
You see my friend, there are many ways to spend your time on this earth
but wasting it on those who are not appreciative of your attention, is a crying shame.
Use your time wisely.
Save your best efforts for those who care.
For those who would return the favour or at least appreciate your attention.
Those who truly value you.
And the rest?
If they do not see you now, they never will.
And they are missing out.
Make this the time that you realise your time is precious and should only be bestowed on those who bring you comfort, positivity, support, love or joy.
Or all of the above.
Remember, you are the main act, not a warm up,
and this, my friend, is no dress rehearsal.
This is it.
The curtain is well and truly up.
Shine on.
✨
Donna Ashworth
From ‘to the women- words to live by’
:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LRGWY74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_OYLVFbX4YR91V

Art by .

To The Woman is the second book from History Will Remember author, and social media wordsmith, Donna Ashworth. Donna’s poems and essays for women are constantly flying around the internet bringing positivity and solidarity. This collection contains 48 favourite poems, plus beautiful quotes; truly....

30/01/2023

💜 This is an incredible poem by the amazing Donna Ashworth 💜

THERE WILL BE DAYS

There will be days my friend,
When you feel like you just can’t go on.
Just keep swimming.
Breathe in and breathe out and wait for the light of a new day to dawn.

There will be days, my friend....
When nothing seems to be making sense.
It’s not supposed to.
Clear your mind and open your heart, the answers will come in time.

There will be days, my friend...
When the pain rises up and engulfs you.
Be kind to yourself.
Lay low and let the tears flow like a river, release, open the floodgates, let it out.

There will be days my friend...
When it feels like the whole world is against you. When it feels like you cannot do right for doing wrong.
Just sit it out.
Tomorrow is a new day and these feelings will pass. I promise.

You see, life is all things, from one day to the next.
It is beautiful at times, wondrous, amazing and joyful - then it is awful, miserable and heart-breaking.
And the cycle goes around.
It is as it should be.
Everything is as it should be and you, you will be okay.
Have faith.
Keep hope in your heart.
Tomorrow is a new day.

Donna Ashworth
Image: Joanna Wedrychowska

FROM ‘to the women’
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BDWY9CP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_klTdFbB3VVG0C

A collection of beautiful poems and letters written throughout the lock-down by Donna Ashworth. Donna is followed daily by women all over the world, on her social media sites and blog. Her words are a source of comfort, inspiration and hope. Donna’s work has been published by Amnesty Internationa....

22/01/2023

💜 Finally, my lovely mum is laid to rest alongside her parents… and we have somewhere to go to share our news, remember them with love and how lucky we were to have them in our lives. 💜

11/01/2023

💜Everyday is a privilege in my role as a Celebrant. Today, I am drafting a funeral service for a 95 year old lady who loved to jive and jitterbug! She lived a vibrant, positive life and was very much the matriarch of her family. It was my honour to be able to tell her story and all that she meant to her loved ones. 💜

01/01/2023

Wishing you all a happy, healthy New Year. 2022 was a blessing. Being able to help 107 families say goodbye to their loved ones was a privilege. I never take for granted the gift of being alongside others in their darkest times and it always brings home to me how important it is to make the most of our own time on this earth. 💜

20/12/2022

27/11/2022

Bowled over by the Big Apple! NYC by sunset is something else!

13/10/2022

In Baby Loss Awareness Week… I share these words.
·
💔💔💔 Grief 💔💔💔
Some days I think I’ll be okay
I’ll pretend that you’re still here
Others I cry myself a river
And drown in all my tears
They told me time would heal me
That my heart wouldn’t hurt forever
But when a piece is missing
You can’t put it back together
It still beats and it still loves
And I know it will be fine
But the piece that you took with you
Will be missing for all time
But I like to think you hold it
And that’s why it’s not with me
That my special piece of broken heart
Will keep you company
So keep my precious piece of heart
It’s mine and now yours too
And every time it beats I know
You’ll feel my love for you

Poem by The Secret Mummy Poet
Artwork by Amanda Cass

04/10/2022

Some words of comfort… courtesy of a remarkable poet, Donna Ashworth, from her newly released book of poems, LOSS

03/10/2022

Being able to find the words for a family who have lost a loved one, is the greatest privilege. Today, I am creating a ceremony full of wonderful memories of a young man taken far too soon. Tears and laughter….and 42 years of life to celebrate.
Let’s get writing and create a ceremony to do justice to this fine young man.

01/10/2022

Whistle at the ready…. Lets do this! Happy netballing today to all the gal’s trekking off for their games!

11/09/2022

When you live in such a beautiful place…

08/09/2022

Phillip came to me today,
and said it was time to go.
I looked at him and smiled,
as i whispered that "I know"

I then turned and looked behind me,
and seen I was asleep.
All my Family were around me,
and I could hear them weep.

I gently touched each shoulder,
with Phillip by my side.
Then I turned away and walked,
with My Angel guide.

Phillip held my hand,
as he lead the way,
to a world where King's and Queens,
are Monarch's every day.

I was given a crown to wear
or a Halo known by some.
The difference is up here,
they are worn by everyone.

I felt a sense of peace,
my reign had seen its end.
70 years I had served my Country,
as the peoples friend.

Thank you for the years,
for all your time and love.
Now I am one of two again,
in our Palace up above.

Poem borrowed from and written by unknown author

God save the King.