Mulberrydays celebrants was started by Tina Bowden in 2007,
(37)
17/11/2024
Yesterday it was ‘standing room only’ at St Faiths Crematorium as I lead a service for a ‘larger than life’ man. He was only 51 and, for 30 years, alongside other jobs, worked as a doorman at clubs around Norwich.
He was a hard working, tough, yet loving and gentle man, who loved action movies, cheap sausages, cheesy 80s rock music and his wife (not necessarily in that order). He was also a poor loser, about which his wife said, “for a big bloke, he could certainly ‘paddy’”.
70s and 80s music was the order of the day, including Thunder, Starship and Black Sabbath. Lovely to work with Trevor from Ivan Fisher Independent Funeral Homes Aylsham, too. Becs
Geoff is a lovely man, very thoughtful and compassionate. He was very respectful to us as a fa ...
11/11/2024
Today I worked with FD James, from Gordon Rooney's, to lead the service for a much-loved brother, father and grandfather.
Despite being nearly 94, he was never one to see himself as ‘old’. He regularly helped local ‘old people’ with their gardening or decorating and played canasta with 9 of the female residents at the local ‘old folks’ home – all of whom were younger than him. As Mark Twain said “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter” – and to him, it certainly didn’t. A pretty-much ‘full house’ at Earlham Crematorium, was a testament to how many people – of all ages – cared about him.
His granddaughter spoke to me after the service, to tell me that the service captured him perfectly and that he would have been pleased. Praise indeed .😊 Becs
11/11/2024
Hi Tina,
Geoff is a lovely man and celebrant as well, he met me and my sisters and family to discuss our plans for dads funeral, he spent plenty of time with us during our first meeting showing us huge respect and dignity. The same applied to the funeral day, where he made sure we were comfortable before starting the celebration. He delivered the celebration with grace, respect and good humour, including all the anecdotes we supplied, (dad had a very cheerful, cheeky side to him) Geoff captured this brilliantly.
We cannot fault Geoff's delivery or service. Thank you Anita and family.
03/11/2024
I've just realised that today is my Funeral Celebrant and Mulberrydays Celebrants birthday.
1 year ago, I (very nervously) lead my first funeral at St Faiths Crematorium supported by amazing mentor Tina Bowden. Particular thanks to Craig at Barker Family Funeral Services for taking a chance on me, for that first one (and Ivan Fisher at Ivan Fisher Independent Funeral Homes and his amazing team, for the next few) 😊
I LOVE my role as a Funeral Celebrant and, when people ask me about it, I say that "whilst it took me 'til I was 55, I think I've finally found my 'thing'". Happy Birthday to me, and here's to many, many more. ⚰️🎉⚱️🎂
Its a really special thing, that we do as Funeral Celebrants. Look out for Funeral Celebrant Day on 22 November, when we celebrate this amazing role. Becs
Pam was the best. Quick, efficient, attentive. Emailing back one another was fast and on the da ...
30/10/2024
Over the past week, I have been privileged to conduct several services, in different locations, for people spanning a range of ages from a young toddler of just 16 months, to a lady of an incredible 106 years old. The same numerals, but the zero between them containing what, for some of us, would be more than a lifetime of experiences. One life was just beginning to explore the world, and all it has to offer, a little girl who loved cows, and sunflowers, and being pushed on the swings. The other had been alive during two world wars, experienced what she had believed to be the loss of her husband via the dreaded telegram, only for him to return at the end of the war having been a POW in Burma working on the notorious railway, and who would happily go on to enjoy another 44 years of married life. Very different services, requiring a different and nuanced approach, and all of which it was a privilege to be a part. Which is why I love the job that I do, the job that enables me to share in these amazing stories and - just for a short time - to become a very small part of them...
29/10/2024
Today we celebrated the life of a true Shirley Valentine. She loved their holiday home in Spain and could always be seen with her nails painted, and a glint in her eye! ☀️
She would be off to aqua aerobics, or a round of golf. Followed by sangria at 5pm. 🍷
She was an inspirational lady who was strong yet kind…… strict yet compassionate , and her dedication to helping those with learning difficulties was unquestionable; eventually fundraising enough to take a group of 12 disabled youngsters on a ski holiday. 🎿
She had been an avid skier since in 1972 and celebrated her final ski holiday in December 2016.
Alzheimer’s made this difficult but with the help and support from her family they guided her down the slopes one last time.
“One in front, 1 either side and 1 behind. “
The family had full input into the service and it was a lovely tribute and send off.
Thank you to John Brown and Daughter Funeral Services and GreenAcres Colney.
Stars as always 🌟
Leanne
28/10/2024
I would like to announce that my mum Trisha has officially retired and given me the opportunity to take over the business as John Brown and Daughter Funeral services. I have been working in the family business for the last 10 years and I am very much looking forward to this exciting new chapter 💖
very compassionate and thoughtful funeral which was held by Pam. Pam gave a wonderful overview ...
23/10/2024
Good afternoon
A very thoughtful and beautifully delivered service from Pam myself and the rest of the family would like like to thank her very much for her professional and compassionate conduct.
Best Regards
Paul
19/10/2024
Yesterday, I was at a beautifully sunny GreenAcres Colney, working with Broni, from John Brown Funeral Services, to help a family say goodbye to much-loved sister, mum, cousin, great aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. A beautiful and independent woman, with a wicked sense of humour, who really lived the ‘Good Life’ – making her own clothes, growing fruit and vegetables, successfully showing and breeding goats, as well as breeding Border Terriers – she was never one to be idle. She was proud to the end, that she still had her full set of teeth, which gave a welcoming smile, to anyone who saw her. Becs
16/10/2024
Last week we said farewell to George Hooke.
George was a retired police inspector and we thank NARPO and the ceremonial team for helping to give him a fitting send off.
GreenAcres Colney was beautiful as always.
I think what I learned most about George over recent times…. is that he approached life with humour……. Always!!!....... And when off duty……. he would don his tracksuit and a pair of slippers……. and simply play with his grandkids!
And he always saw his cup as half full.
His biggest passion however was horse racing so we displayed his colours and memorabilia in the chapel and sent him off to a very fitting poem….. When The Riding’s Done
by J. P. Gorham
You know I’ll always ride here
even when my riding’s done
In the whisper of the pre-dawn
or the final burst of sun
At the corners of transition
where the changes are obscured
I will ride and if you see me
it’s because our love has endured.
You know I’ll never leave you
even when I’m far away
In the moments when the words stop
and your breath gets in the way
I will softly say I love you
barely louder than the breeze
So I hope you gently listen
to my voice between the trees.
You know I’ll try to hold you
even when my arms can’t grasp
Just to try to bring you comfort
when your voice lets out a gasp
The feelings that we share here
will transcend just what we see
And my horse will still be waiting
right beneath our favourite tree.
You know you are forever
but it’s easy when we’re here
Just a hand away from holding
and a hug away from fear
So you have to make a promise
that your hope will never run
And you know I’ll always ride here
even when my riding’s done.
A big thank you to the family for allowing us to share pictures of his special day.
Leanne x
12/10/2024
Yesterday I lead the service for an 89 year old gentleman who, to many , was a talented and respected aviation artist and author. To his family, he was a much-loved husband, uncle, great uncle and ‘gentle giant’ who was married for nearly 65 years and with his wife for nearly 74 years. Often, when someone is nearly 90 years old, there aren't many people at their funeral. In this case, we had a full chapel at Earlham Crematorium. The family received so many cards of condolence that it 'would take all day to read them' his great-niece said. And some of the messages said things like 'Such a kind and gentle and person - a true gentleman'; 'A man of rare and great talents' and 'A very special man'.
In his younger days, he met and made friends with the American film actor Jimmy Stewart (star of 'Its a Wonderful Life') so it was fitting to include a quote from Clarence (the Guardian Angel in the film) who said "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” This gentleman has certainly left an ‘awful hole’.
Great to work with Broni and the team from John Brown Funeral Services too. Becs
11/10/2024
Morning Pam,
I just wanted to thank you, on behalf of my sisters and the rest of the family, for all your support yesterday. The service really was beautiful and your words meant so much. You really did Mum proud!
Thanks again and take care,
Warmest regards,
Kirstie x
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Videos
A wonderful choir for singing for one of their own. #mulberrydays #brecklandcrematorium #rockavox
Greyhound racing Mine are still running. Boxing Day fun. #greyhoundracing #yarmouthdog #YarmouthStadium
Spooky out there.
Spooky out there.
another poem
we are very proud to say that we have 831 followers on this page, and we would like to have some fun with you all on this halloween. you have heard us all reading our spooky poem that Pam kindly wrote for us, and now we hope it will be your turn. we would like you to record yourself (or someone else) reading our poem and then post it in the comments of this post. lets see if we can break some sort of a record and all have fun at the same time. please feel free to share the post as well of course.
A Spell for finding a Celebrant
Professional, and Clear of voice,
There may only be one choice.
Empathetic, listens well, too -
There is a Celebrant there for you.
Approachable; good turn of phrase,
The one you seek is with Mulberry Days.
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Our Story
Mulberrydays celebrants was started by Tina Bowden in 2007, Tina was a registrar working for Norwich county council and saw that there was a gap in the market for someone to actually give families the funeral service and the wedding ceremony they really wanted. at the time the choices were a humanist funeral with no reference to any type of belief or here after, or a full blown religious service. Tina talked over her idea with a local funeral director (thank you Ivan) who agreed that her ideas were sound and families would be receptive, he also agreed to give her her first funeral service to conduct. The rest as they say, is history. The business took off and soon Tina found herself in such demand that she could not cope with the work load and began looking for that special person to help her, Julie Bates appeared at just the right time and has been working alongside Tina since 2008. the next few years have seen work and reputation increase even more, and so Julie Greenslade, Trish Moss, Liz Radley, Mirian Cooper, all joined her, then the team decided that maybe it was time to let the boys in and the first man or Knight as they like to call him ( mulberry Days, mulberry Knights) Bob Hannam joined the team in 2017 and in Feb 18 another Mulberry Knight joined them, Geoff Patching. Since then we have trained many celebrants who have gone on to work alone and this year, 2019, see’s Pam Wilks joining our team as well. The team continues to grow, but our ethos remains the same.
The team have all been trained by Tina, and the rest of the team also help with the training, so there is continuity right across the team, but each of the celebrants obviously brings with them, their own style, personality and individuality, but each one of them also has the reassurance of a friendly team behind them.
The wedding side of the business has also grown and grown, when Tina first started it was not possible to get married in the open air, now of course most registrar offices have cottoned on to Tina’s way of doing things and they now offer dual ceremonies, where you do the legalities inside and then again outside, but they still do not have the freedom to include many things that couples want to make their ceremony unique and personal to them. Mulberrydays has always maintained the motto and standard that it truly is the couples day, and they have just given hundreds of couples their day in exactly their way.
Tina has conducted some beautiful grand ceremonies in woodlands, on beaches, famous places, and some equally beautiful small intimate ceremonies in peoples homes and gardens in both this country and many countries abroad. Her team are also trained in weddings and they too have conducted many wonderful ones. You only have to read the testimonials on their facebbok or website pages to know how happy their customers are with the way they have helped them.
MulberryDays continues to grow, year by year, hopefully for many more years yet to come.
