About me

Hi –

I’m Tom. A funeral celebrant based in Portsmouth.

I’m allergic to fir trees. Love a cup (or dozen) of Earl Grey. And can often be found procrastinating. But when not busy pottering about, I’m at the allotment, on the paddle-board (weather willing), walking the woods and marshes, or being shorter than a sunflower.

My career has been eclectic – from nightclub manager to charity fundraiser – but most of my time has been spent working in end of life.

6 years:

funeral arranger

3 years:

crematorium operative

1 year:

funeral trainer

1 year & counting:

funeral celebrant

Being a celebrant…

… is me!

I love a good funeral
I love writing
I love life

And more importantly, I get to bring my skills and knowledge together with who I am and continue my care and support of the bereaved.

I get to dispel the taboo of death, one ceremony at a time, making it easier for others to talk about.

Get in touch

Schedule time with me

Ceremonies

I am passionate about creating ceremonies that bring comfort, honour life, and beautifully reflect the essence of the person who has died.

Together, we will find the perfect way to cherish their memory, celebrate their spirit, and bring comfort as you say farewell.

We can meet in a way that feels comfortable for you.
You will receive a script that you can edit until it accurately reflects how you want to say farewell.
Throughout our time together (and beyond), I’m available whenever you need me.

More about ceremonies

A picture of me, Tom - a funeral celebrant based in Portsmouth wearing a black coat and scarf.

Working with me

However you would like to say farewell, you can expect my understanding, compassion, guidance, and humour.

Support & guidance

Guide

Working with me

What to expect

With enough already on your plate, you don’t need the uncertainty of not knowing what happens next.

This guide might prove helpful…

Working with me

This time can be challenging, and with everything that’s going on, it can be difficult to navigate and know what to do.

I am here to support you.

Support & guidance

Guide

Meeting with me, your funeral celebrant

Discussing and planning a ceremony to bid farewell to someone close can feel overwhelming and, quite frankly, exhausting.

You might wonder how to prepare…

Meeting with me

Fee

I match the Church of England parochial fee for funerals within 10 miles of home in Portsmouth.

For 2025, this is:

£ 234

For funerals further afield, I charge:

£ 0.50 per additional mile

Learn more about my fee

Qualifications & associations

I’m a certified funeral celebrant with The Celebrants Collective.

I’ve a diploma in funeral arranging and am a qualified cremation technician. I work closely with funeral homes and my old crematorium to keep my knowledge current. This constant collaboration keeps me well-informed about industry trends.

I’m a non-practising Death Doula and loudly promote their adage of ‘Live well, die well’.

I’ve adopted the Funeral Celebrant Accord, which guides the attributes and development of a celebrant.

I’m a Dementia Friend, helping where I can.