Karen Lewis, Celebrant

25/06/2024

Please vote, whatever your beliefs.

Where do the parties stand on humanist issues?

Drawing from Manifestos and our latest correspondence with party officials, we've compiled the seven largest parties' positions on nine of the priority issues we're campaigning on at this election.

These reflect nine humanist issues whose outcomes may be impacted by the election, but we know the election is made up of many wider issues for voters to consider. We don't recommend or endorse any political parties, but we do offer this analysis in the hopes that it will be useful to anyone weighing up their options ahead of 4 July.

And to everyone who's postal voted already, thank you! 🗳✅

08/05/2024

I am trained to work with anyone who would like to plan ahead. We will write your funeral ceremony together - just as you would like it.
This week is so why not get organised and start talking? You can talk to me in confidence or include your family.

This Dying Matters Awareness Week we’re encouraging you to share your own funeral plans with those closest to you.

According to the Sunlife Cost of Dying report, only 34% of people know If their loved ones would want a religious or non-religious service.

If you would like a non-religious funeral, have you made those wishes clear?


Dying Matters

30/04/2024

We said goodbye to ‘Art’ today. A wonderful man who reached the grand age of 96! He loved life, adored his dog ‘Jessie’, his beloved wife of 70 years, and his family. An avid fan of Chelsea football club and golf, he achieved a hole in one on his 80’s.
He didn’t have a religious faith, so a humanist ceremony meant we celebrated his life in a meaningful and personal way. His favourite film was Singing in the Rain & it’s thought he watched it well over 100 times.
Do what you love - live well.

I received a lovely text from the family this evening. They say: “Hi Karen. Thank you for today. It could not have gone any better and you delivered it perfectly. Thank you so much”

Special thanks to Portishead Funeral Services - it’s always a pleasure to work with your team.

18/04/2024

A celebration of life can still be an option with a direct cremation and something many families are opting for lately.
If you’d like to discuss this as an option for a loved one, or if you’re getting ahead and making plans for your own future funeral, then do get in touch. I’d be happy to give advice.

Each ceremony will be different, but here are some Celebration of Life ideas to inspire you in creating an occasion which is joyful, personal, and truly reflects the person whose life you are remembering.

11/04/2024

I’m so excited about joining my botanical illustration course this weekend University of Bristol Botanic Garden

04/04/2024

Please don’t hesitate to ask me questions if you’d like information on planning a humanist ceremony

At a funeral service or ceremony, friends and family gather together to remember, pay tribute to and say goodbye to someone special to them. The person who leads this ceremony is the funeral officiant. Here we explain what a humanist funeral celebrant is and how to find a celebrant.

04/04/2024

Sir David Attenborough - our country’s treasure…

'In moments of great grief, that's where you look and immerse yourself. You realise you are not immortal, you are not a god, you are part of the natural world and you come to accept that.'

A quote from Sir David Attenborough featured in The Little Book of Humanist Funerals.

26/03/2024

It’s always good to tie up those loose ends. So that your loved ones don’t have to guess after you’ve gone, let me help you draft a plan. Then you can get on with living your life in the knowledge it’s all arranged.

25/03/2024

I’m hoping a new labour government would be swift in granting legal recognition of humanist weddings.

Stephen Fry and Sandi Toksvig have called on the Labour Party to grant legal recognition of humanist weddings in England and Wales.

02/03/2024

Humanism in a nutshell! ❤️

21/02/2024

Today’s funeral for Tim was a true celebration of life with bright colours and Pokémon Go the theme of the day, as this was what he loved to do with his son.
This fabulous dress is a recent purchase from in Portishead. It’s made from eco-responsible viscose fibres - a more sustainable choice!

21/02/2024

06/02/2024

Something I practice when crafting a ceremony, whether that’s for a wedding, a funeral or a memorial is simplicity.
Someone once said to me after one of my ceremonies “Thank you Karen, you captured what it’s really about. Love is what really matters”

25/01/2024

I hope some of the families I have supported will be able to help with this request - a lovely idea

We need your help! Most of our photos are of our hearse or office. What we would like to do in the future is produce a calendar featuring photos our city and surrounding areas and wildlife, taken by the families of the the loved ones we have looked after. If you have a nice photo of our local area at this time of year please send us a copy, and we will collate them all at the end of the year and put them all together. If you have pictures taken a specific times of the year then even better. Example below is a moody sky day in October last year at Porstishead Lake grounds, whilst out and about. Please either email them or message them to us here.

17/01/2024

As I’m out having a birthday lunch 😋 I thought I’d pop on and say hi for #2024
It’s a new year and I’m starting as I mean to go on - kindness to me and kindness to you!
So tell me, what you think of my new idea …
I’m considering branching out to offer an extension to my new service of pre-planned funeral ceremonies. It would be along the lines of a ‘final chapter guru’ helping you clear your clutter and organise your wishes. What do you think? Give me a thumbs up if you think it’s worth pursuing.

24/12/2023

… And that’s it for 2023!
Closing the door for the season and wishing you all a very happy Christmas!
Thank you for sharing your stories this year and for allowing me to be your celebrant.
I’ll be back in the New Year. Hopefully 2024 will be more peaceful and more prosperous for all. With love ###xx

07/08/2023

And so it begins…
The guests arrive the evening before at a beautiful house in the Cotswolds.
On the morning of the wedding the rain, wind and cold temp of 11 degrees, brrrrr, dictates the ceremony will have to be indoors. Each guest has a translation of a message from the bride’s Colombian matriarchs and some basic words for a bilingual wedding.
Shot glasses of a potent Columbian spirit are set out for a Salut! to the bride & groom

30/07/2023

Windy woo for this one - but guests arrived fully prepared for an outdoor wedding in
A botanical theme, all the flowers were homegrown by the talented bride, even the fantastic display in the roof of the yurt.

17/06/2023

I’m so proud to have contributed to the Packed with thoughtful excerpts from great thinkers it shows a humanist perspective on life & death. Humanist Celebrants’ contributions illustrate an approach to non-religious funerals & end of life ceremonies.

02/06/2023

What a stunning venue for a perfect summer wedding - the sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze. Purrrrrfect

02/06/2023

What a beautiful sunny day for an outdoor humanist wedding in Wrington.
The Mendips were the perfect backdrop to remind us of the rhythms of life. I’ve been working with this charming couple for a few months now to devise their ceremony. It’s been a privilege to help them mark this milestone and I’m grateful to share a part in their journey.

24/04/2023

A humanist ceremony for your wedding, vow-renewal, elopement, funeral or memorial ceremony will be personal and a day to remember. Karen Lewis, former Head of School of Art & Design at UWE, Bristol is now a creative and innovative humanist celebrant.

23/04/2023

So, as I said previously, I don’t usually post about my funeral work. But today I’m sharing a memorial ceremony because it was so joyful.
Chico was a man whose heart resided in two countries - the UK & Chile. After fleeing his homeland of Santiago during the repressive regime in the 1970s, he eventually settled in Bristol & became a well loved member of the community. He loved family, dancing to rock n roll and salsa rhythms and football. In fact he’d been so good at football that he’d played for Chile in his youth!
His homemade recipe for strawberry punch was renowned. So of course there were jugs of it flowing today 🍓🍷😋
We celebrated the journey of his life, the ups & the downs. Never one to dwell on the hurts of the past, he was always optimistic & looked to the future. His approach and zest for life, his capacity for love and happiness is something we can all aspire to.
We listened to Gracias a la vida by Violeta Parra - originally a poem. The most beautiful song where she thanks life for everything she has enjoyed.
As always, it was a privilege to tell his story.

14/02/2023

💙 💚 💙

01/02/2023

It’s LGBT+ History Month 🌈

This History Month we will be celebrating LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens. Directors, cinematographers, screen writers, producers, animators, costume designers, special effects, make up artists, lighting directors, musicians, choreographers and beyond.

We have lots to talk about and share with you over the next month. Make sure you keep checking back to get involved!

You can find out more by visiting: www.lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history-month-2023/