Tomos James, Funeral Celebrant

I’m usually contacted by your chosen funeral director.

And I aim to call you (their client) within 24-72h of this contact to arrange a date and time to meet.

(Their client becomes my client. And I liaise with the funeral director throughout.)

Your options include:

1. Face-to-face (in a place best for you);
2. Over the phone;
3. On Zoom, Teams, or another service.

We may also ‘meet’ by email, if you’d prefer. Although this will be much less personal.

Feel free to invite anyone you wish to join us.

I’ll stay in touch with your funeral director and call the venue to double-check how much time we have for the ceremony.

To help you prepare, you might get a chance to flick through:

Inside, you’ll find an overview of our meeting – from the types of questions you might get asked to readings, music, and personalising the ceremony.

You can expect me to be on time – if I think I’m running late, I’ll call you.

Once you feel settled, we’ll move through our meeting at your own pace and direction and:

• Confirm the details (like date and time, location of the ceremony);
• Discuss the ceremony (what you’d like to include and ways to personalise);
• Spend time with stories and memories of the person you’ve lost.

You may share with me as much or as little as you’re comfortable.

Our meeting may be recorded to assist with notetaking.

Please allow 2 hours.

Once back at the office, I’ll call your funeral director to let them know we’ve met and update them on anything pertinent that we’ve discussed.

I won’t start writing or bringing any part of the ceremony together straight away. I like to let things mull and spend some time with the memories, stories and wishes shared.

It can take me 5 to 7 days to write and bring the ceremony fully together.

This time is also for the family to write their tributes, if applicable.

If you (or someone else) are writing the eulogy and/or tributes. I’ll require a copy at least 48h before the ceremony so I may seamlessly slot them in and ensure we remain to time.

I’m available throughout this period.

Once the ceremony has been written, I’ll call you to let you know. You can have me read through the ceremony or send you a copy to read in your own time.

Feel free to change every single word, if needed.

On the last working day before the ceremony, I’ll call you to check in and run through the ceremony, if needed.

I’ll also call your funeral director to confirm how the ceremony will proceed.

I’ll arrive at the venue 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. This is so I can prepare myself and (once able) prepare the hall for us.

I’ll look out for you and try to meet and reassure those participating. (I can read on their behalf if they feel unable to do so.)

Mourners should aim to arrive roughly 15m early. 

NOTE: Road access to many cemeteries & crematoria can be a nightmare. Please check how to get there and give yourself plenty of time to arrive.

Once the ceremony has finished, I’ll wait with your funeral director until you’re ready to leave.

The next morning, I’ll send you a quick email to see how you are doing.

I am available for you to call, message or email whenever you need me.

Please note, however, that my phone is set to silent from 8 pm, and if you call after this time, I’ll most likely return your call the next day.