Rebel Heart Ceremonies

28/05/2024

BREWING UP A STORM.....

Well it may have been a little quiet on socials recently but don't fear, I'm still here serving some amazing families and preparing for some brilliant summer weddings!

But I've also been working on a little pivot for sister company with my hubbie ....and I'm delighted to say today we nailed our Barista Training at the awesome Artisan Coffee School! We're excited to be bringing Speciality coffee, coffee events and coffee cocktails to our tribe...Rebel Heart Brews are on their way! ☕️💙

So if you're in need of some great tasting coffee, fancy trying your hand at cupping, or want to join our Rebel Roasters journey...watch this space!

17/04/2024

When you take a day off... to go to a funeral! Haven't been struck by lightening so far & looking forward to hearing a CofE service.

I'm sure there's lots we can learn from each other and as my friend's dad was in his 90's, will be a lovely celebration of his life!

Lesson No 1 - churches are much chillier than crems! 🥶🥶

15/04/2024

If I have any country loving buddies who can make Jon Pardi in Manchester on Sunday, I've a couple of tickets to sell (reluctantly). £33 each so just looking for face value! DM me if interested! Thanks y'all! 👢🎸🍺

13/04/2024

Inspired by a trip to the Van Gough Experience and this quote caught my eye... I speak so much about love in services and the immemse power of love to heal.

Whether it's a celebration of life or love, whatever is going on in your world, I hope you do it with love and do it well! 💙💙

11/04/2024

It was an absolute honour to help celebrate the life of "M" a few weeks ago, a dearly loved mum, nana and friend to so many. We had poems, prayers & photos before ending with a sing along - just as she would have wanted!

Thanks to her family for this gorgeous Google review ... it means the world to know her family and friends found such comfort from the service at a really difficult time ❤️❤️

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08/04/2024

Anyone else get that slightly sluggish, need to fire up my brain, feeling on a Monday morning? Me too sometimes and this is my go-to! Pick a number and then commit to unleash a bit of positive proactivity!

In fairness, No 21 "Break the Rules" is kinda my daily mantra 🙄 But No. 13 was the magic number today seeing my reach out to some new networks to see if we might help each other out!

Pick your number, trust your Rebel Heart & let me know how you get on!

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07/04/2024

At the end of a busy week, this quote seems to sum up in 6 words what I've been trying to say in thousands during services for incredibly deeply loved mums, dads, nanas, daughters, sisters, brothers and friends. Although death ends a life, it doesn't end a relationship, rather it evolves and no-one can ever take the memories and the love you shared together.

For every grieving heart that has said a painful farewell this week, remember love is more powerful than grief and in time it is love that can help give you the courage to keep going. You've got this 💙💙💙

04/04/2024

Love it when there's time for lunch at the brilliant Maple Park Cafe ... today with the world's biggest teacake and the delightful company of Karen Lester, Independent Civil Celebrant!

03/04/2024

The joys of a natural burial when it's rained almost non stop for the last few weeks! 🙄 but the family were amazing and the wellies and mid had everyone smiling!!

30/03/2024

Finally getting a moment to enjoy the sunshine, good beer and the paper & came across this little pearl of wisdom! Couldn't have put it better myself! 👏

There's been a lot of collaboration and pulling together this week at Rebel Heart HQ, lots of supporting, talking, sharing and compromising to get to the best possible result! All sounds very corporate but basically comes down to kindness and compassion being the winner every time!

27/03/2024

For the avoidance of doubt .... this is ABSOLUTELY NOT what you get when you book a celebrant wedding! Bless lovely Lorraine for trying her best but if you liked what you saw, imagine what a fully trained celebrant with time to dedicate to you and your other half could create for your special day!

If you want to find out what it's really all about and how we make it special for you... Trust Your Rebel Heart and give me a call!

19/03/2024

Such beautiful words that I try and articulate every day...but Becky Hemsley Poetry does it so much better!

Grief is one of the biggest mountains you’ll ever have to climb.

Not least, because it’s one that you absolutely won’t want to.

And people may talk of ‘getting over it’.
But the truth is,
I don’t think we ever do.

And that’s not to say that we don’t end up on the other side of the mountain. I’m not saying that we’re stuck in one place forever.

But, rather than getting over it…

Perhaps we find a cave we can walk through which brings us out on the other side. It may be dark and dim and difficult, but we make it through into the light.

Perhaps we find a path around the mountain that leads to the other side. It may take a long time and it might be unsteady and precarious, but we make it round.

Or perhaps we just slowly edge our way past. A little up, a little through, a little round. Step by step.

No, I don’t think we get over it. It is too big, too overwhelming.
Too insurmountable.

So instead we get through it.
Round it.

Or quite possibly,

we just get by.

******

Becky Hemsley 2022
Beautiful image by Anna Speshilova

Mountain Climbing is from the book 'When I Am Gone'
https://a.co/d/iTbpJ7E

09/03/2024

Absolutley loving my new hat from -the team are amazing and will find you the perfect look! Swing by if you're at and find your style!

10/02/2024

Amongst a very busy week of goodbyes, we said farewell to some gorgeous souls in their 80's & 90's who loved to dance. All of their relatives spoke of the happiness and joy their loved ones got from twirling round their floor in their youth and ripping up the dance floor at family parties.

I speak often during farewells of taking your loved one with you, of keeping them in your heart as you take your next adventure. These words seemed so appropriate this week, to remind families that their own life and their relationship with their loved one doesn't end here.... but can dance on into the future, if only they let it. So to everyone who's lost someone who loved dancing... keep dancing for them!

03/02/2024

Massive thanks to Association of Independent Celebrants for everything they do driving the industry forward and for all the brilliant help & training they make available... proud to be a member!

Nichola Reeder is a trained, experienced celebrant based in Yarm. Nichola conducts ceremonies in North Yorkshire and County Durham.

29/01/2024

This beautiful verse just seemed so perfect for how I know many of my families will be feeling right now. 2024 has already been so tough for so many and they're starting those new chapters.

I continue to be inspired and in awe of all of you... your strength, courage and humility is incredible.
We're with you and you're not alone.

12/01/2024

One of the most perfect definitions of grief I have heard in a while.

10/01/2024

Last week I had the absolutle honour of helping EH's family say farewell. We played Meatloaf, The Eagles and Pink Floyd, the dress code was skulls and this was the design for the Order of Service sheet! This was SO my tribe 🤘🏻🤘🏻 Remeber there are never any rules and as a celebrant our only priority is making the service for your loved one feel as authentic and personal as we can! Trust Your Rebel Heart 💙💙

01/01/2024

Happy January everyone.... remember it's about tiny moments of joy and celebrating the small wins! You've got this 😉

31/12/2023

WOW ... what a year 2023 has been, highs, lows and learnings all round!

Looking back over every family and couple I've helped this year I realise every one has taught me something about being real, authentic & truly themselves. From energy shots, darts shirts, skateboards and Disney costumes at funerals... to cocktail rituals and doggy ring bearers at weddings, I have treasured every single moment with every one of you.

I'm just a massive human jigsaw where all your beautiful stories are the pieces that make up the full picture of me and I'm so grateful to you all

As you move into a new year, some with the most thrilling excitement, some in the depths of despair, some just uncertain and unsure... please be gentle with yourself & kind with each other. Go with whatever you feel, find pockets of joy where you can, celebrate all this beautiful life has to offer, and write your own story... no rules, no restrictions, no regrets.

Be bold , beautiful and brave and write the 2024 story that's right for you!

Trust Your Rebel Heart - always! ❤️❤️

30/12/2023

An interesting and though provoking article considering how we deal with death. I've written a few eulogies for those who wanted their version of their story to be told at their funeral, and also held a couple of living funerals for those with limited time.
These aren't the right options for everyone... but they are options and whilst you can't choose whether you live or die, you can choose so much about how your final farewell plays out.

Never be afraid to make your own rules and Trust Your Rebel Heart ❤️❤️

I watched my own dad die when I was 25, and it made me realise how awkward people get around the subject. I wanted to see if living funerals - both those for the terminally ill and those who are not - are opening up how we talk about death.

29/12/2023

Well after a busy festive period with family & a few services and family meetings the last couple of days...this morning is toast & marmalade and Les Misreables and cuddles with the pooch in bed. I may get up at some point!

Hope you're having a lazy betwixtmas and are being kind to yourself! ❤️❤️

23/12/2023

As a celebrant working with families on both the happiest and most difficult times of their life, it's hard to find the right words that will reach you all as the festive period approaches.

For some couples, it's a first Christmas as newlyweds, or where they're enjoying the cuddles of a new arrival. For some families, there were be the biggest space at their table on Monday. And some couples just can't wait for 2024 to arrive so they can countdown to their wedding day!

So to all of you, I just say THANK YOU - for trusting me to honour your loved one or celebrate your love. Every single family or couple I have met has inspired, energised, and humbled me, and I feel so grateful to have met you all.

Wherever this Christmas takes you, just go with it. Unleash your Tiny Rebel and do what you want to do... not what others expect of you. And celebrate every single moment of joy with the wild hope there are more to follow.

That's a wrap from me until 2024 as I recharge and refresh with the family who keep my engine running!

Merry Christmas, Peace and Love to you all ❤️🎅🏻☃️🎄❤️

23/12/2023

15/12/2023

Wanting somewhere to go to feel Christmassy AND finish off the Christmas shopping this weekend ?? Sounds like you need the Local Heroes NE Sunniside Festive Food Market in Sunderland! We'll see you there serving Mulled Wine, Baileys Hot Choc and Christmas Kisses * and there's also a chance to win a fab hamper in our Local Heroes raffle
Steve Reeder Chris Jewitt
* Christmas Kisses by special request 💋💋

08/12/2023

When you've lost a loved one, the festive season cam bring a whole myriad of emotions- from sadness and loss, to guilt that you're enjoying yourself. But it is always a time when your loved ones will be close to your heart.
The brilliant team at John Blenkirons are providing a safe and comforting space where you can remember, reflect and be with others who feel exactly like you do. And everyone is welcome ❤️❤️❤️

24/11/2023

Cheating on celebranting again this weekend and it's off to London for the Waitrose Winter Food Festival.
3 days, 16,000 canapés and lots of very merry consumers ... what could possibly go wrong!!! 🙈🤷🏼‍♀️

If you're around this weekend call and in and grab a taster at the Cheese Room!

20/11/2023

6pm and about to head into the last meeting of the day! Thank goodness fuelled me up with this whopping mushroom & spinach omelette at lunch time! Another 10/10 for my favourite cafe!