Vive la funeral revolution!
A shrouded body in a wicker coffin, surrounded by bunches of colourful flowers and by community
Funerals have been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately, which hasn’t helped the fear that often exists around death and dying… or the idea that funerals are shrouded (I know, I know) in secrecy.
But that isn’t the way it has to be.
There is lots of positive change happening too. Up and down the country, progressive celebrants, undertakers, end of life doulas and death educators are coming together to tackle the image that most people have of funerals as something dark, solemn, sombre and formal. We’re showing the way forward, rather than staying stuck in the past. Just because things were always done a certain way, that doesn’t mean we cant change that, and we can’t get creative.
The modern funeral is here, and it’s really exciting to be a part of it all.
Actually, the image we have of funerals is a relatively recent invention, as the care of our dead and dying was taken out of the home and the community and shut away in hospitals and undertakers’ premises. A lot of what is happening now is an attempt to take back ownership of our dying, to demystify it and to make it less scary. Less black, less formal.
I’m someone who loves colour. It gives me energy and joy, and is central to my creative process as a celebrant. When I started out, every visit I went on, I wore a black suit - because I thought that’s what I had to do. To look the part. That changed one day when instinct told me to dress how I do every day. The lady that I was visiting told me afterwards, “As soon as I saw you coming up the path in all your bright colours, I knew it was all going to be okay.”
I’ve never looked back, and now families often ask for me as ‘that celebrant with red hair and bright clothes’. Funeral directors always know who they mean.
DIY funerals are becoming more popular… you can take part howevr you want to.
One of the key players in the modern funeral landscape is are the brilliant Dead Good sisters and death workers, Lindsey and Katy Vigurs. They are doing the most amazing work showing people how they can be more involved in their person’s funeral, and all the choices that they have (that you won’t find on any funeral director’s standardised price list), from making a shroud to organising a living funeral. They are just so inspiring.
Last year, when I spotted that they were organising a modern funerals photoshoot, I knew I had to be involved. And so, off I set for the beautiful Periwinkle Barn in Kelloe, just outside Durham, where Deborah runs her sustainable flower farm. No single use plastic, no floral foam (hurray!)… just beautiful, seasonal flowers.
What. A. Day.
Eight funeral celebrants from across the North East and beyond, gathering together to share ideas and experiences, all supported by Katy, Deborah and Sarah Johnson, our brilliant photographer for the shoot. Surrounded by Deborah’s incredible flowers, as well as having the use of a gorgeous willow coffin crafted by Abi at Woven Farewells and a woollen shroud created by Yuli at Bella Couche. Katy, Deborah and Sarah had put so much care and thought into the day, and it was so good to be able to step off the merry-go-round for a while and really think about how we wanted to show up as celebrants.
We were able to choose fifty vibrant, colourful photos from the hundreds that Sarah took, for use on our socials, our web sites - however we wanted to use them.
Choosing only fifty was almost impossible, but eventually I managed to whittle it down, and I can honestly say that the photos have completely transformed how I present myself and show my work.
And… the good news is that they are running a spring photoshoot at the end of this month.
Wednesday 30th April. Put it in your diary and do yourself and your business a massive favour and book your place here now. You won’t regret it. Promise. I got so much out of the last one that I signed up straight away.
Vive la funeral revolution!
Funeral magic…