Funeral Testimonials

Thank you for all your work putting together the script for K’s funeral and for leading this on the day. It was a beautiful service and everyone who attended feels that it truly honoured K.

A. S.

Hope your ok just wanted to say the biggest thank you for the beautiful service for M. everyone was saying afterwards  how you made it so very special in such a beautiful way. R. (daughter) especially wanted to thank you from the bottom of her heart for your care and support and wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.  

S. J. (wife)

(Benn) thank you again for pulling everything together today. I’m sure dad would have been pleased with his send off.  A. C.

Thanks again for all your work and guidance on the service. It was a wonderful celebration of our dear Dad and we were very lucky to have you help us through it.  S. B.

Thank you for such a wonderful service. It was a very fitting tribute to E. and he will have loved it!  D. C. (grandson)

Just to say many thanks indeed for doing lovely job at J’s funeral today

It made it very personal and nice 

Trevor W.

I wanna thank you for a lovely and emotional service for S. M. today.

I watched it via webcam.

S. O. 

The service you did (B. D.) was brilliant, and you could not have spoken any better and explained about what B. did in his life.

R. S.

I  am just coming up for air and I wanted to say on behalf of the family a big “thank you” for guiding and easing us through the complexities of arranging a funeral service.  You made it so much more straightforward and less stressful than I had anticipated, much to my relief.  Nothing seemed to phase you even when I made yet another alteration! Everyone at the service was singing your praises. 

Sonya J. (wife)

So many people have commented on how great a service it was for my Father’s funeral that you conducted. We as a Family would again like to thank you for your professionalism in you approach from start to finish. We were so thankful for all you did and especially for looking after Mum. 

M with family: B., D. and D. 

Benn acted as our celebrant for my late brother’s funeral. We would highly recommend Benn for being both personally sensitive and extremely professional through what was a difficult time. There was a lot to arrange and Benn was able to provide both guidance and suggestions in addition to his own high quality content. He was able to organise us when we were struggling to determine the content and order of service and delivered on the day a very poignant and sensitive celebration of my brother. It is with great pleasure that I can say we could not have chosen a better celebrant during a highly emotional period. Benn made it so much easier.

T. M. 

Just to say thanks for an excellent and fitting send off for my late father today.  I must say that even now it still does not feel real (although the void he has left in our lives and home is very much so!) and I have a strange sense of today as almost an outsider looking in if that makes any sense whatsoever. I guess grief is a strange emotion to understand and process and hopefully eventually this will give me the closure I still need, although I still question why he was taken from us like this at this time. I understand our relatives in Ireland who watched the service via the Webcast spoke very highly of the send-off and that we did him proud.  Thank you for all you did both before and during the service and I would have no hesitation in recommending you to others.  Paul M.

Just wanted to say a BIG thank you from my family and I for making the ceremony beautiful, covering the difficult parts and making it easy as possible. You provided a professional service and we are really grateful. 

Nigel F. (son)

Just like to say thank you for conducting such a lovely service in celebration of J’s life.

We were very pleased with the service and how the whole day went.

S. & T. (friends)

I just wanted to say thank you so much for delivering C’s service so beautifully. It was so C. She would have been so very proud. I got, and still (three months later) get lots of comments from both those who attended and those who watched online saying what a beautiful send-off it was.  Sean H. (husband)

Thank you Benn.  It was a lovely service, everyone was saying how you made it seem so personal. So thank you for helping to give M. a good send off.  Michelle C. (sister)

I just wanted to thank you so much for all you support and hard work, this has really helped me and I do really appreciate it. You have been so supportive all the way through and nothing was ever too much trouble. D’s service yesterday was perfect so thank you. D had such a good farewell as hard as it was. You made and delivered the service so personal to him and our life together. Rosemary (wife), and children 

I just wanted to reiterate how thankful I was for all your help with the ceremony for my dad’s funeral. I am not sure if I expressed it enough yesterday. I was slightly dazed! I know it is your job but the research you did, the kindness and care you displayed was first class. I am honestly so grateful and thankful that you were our celebrant. I wish you the very best. With gratitude and the very best wishes.  Sharron R.

(Native American-themed service)

Just to say a big thankyou for the service it was spot on for D. Even D’s brother and his wife were impressed, and they are staunch Catholics!

I was very surprised when B. finished [his poem] and everyone clapped. I have never heard applause at a funeral. Again thanks for everything xxx Angie McH (wife)

Trustpilot Review

 Carol S.

Thank you so much for all your contribution and support to my Mother’s farewell on Friday.

Our family and friends have been writing to all of us and saying how Mum would have been so proud for making it so personal.

And how it was the loveliest service they had been to.

I have sent an email to Claudia too (who) like you was so professional and kind and so supportive to my family.

With thanks and best wishes, Louise P. 

I just wanted to thank you on behalf of my family, for the lovely job that you did for us yesterday. It all went smoothly and we were very happy with our Dad’s service… Terry J.

Trustpilot Review

Tony J. 

Benn captured the true spirit of our mother after only meeting us a few weeks before and getting a brief history of her life.

He was our strength and backbone when we were in the depths of grief.

We’re also very grateful for the way that Benn handled our 10 year old grandson, our mother’s great grandson. Benn was so kind and supportive to him when he did his reading.

Benn worked tirelessly until he knew we were happy with the wording and his patience and kindness was heart-warming.

Finally, after the cremation Benn joined us for the celebration of our mum’s life where he mingled with family and friends as though he was a lifelong friend.

Fantastic. A wonderful man. Steve W J.

Thank you so much for making Peter’s Service so special. I am very grateful for your work .

Pozdrowienia, Monika, M and A

Many thanks for all your help over the last week and especially yesterday.  You really were an immense help to me guiding me into the unknown and taking the time to really find out as much as you could about my lovely Uncle.   The celebration of Michael’s life went as well as I could possibly have hoped and everyone commented on how well it represented him and that he would have approved – I could ask for nothing more. Catherine J. 

First chance I’ve had to say a huge thank you for your very well delivered service for my parents on Thursday. It was spoken of in kind at the reception afterwards.

Many thanks again. Emma T. 

Just a little message to thank you for officiating at P’s funeral yesterday. Your homily was much appreciated, and just struck the right tone. Everyone was very happy with the way you conducted the sad occasion, helping us to say good-bye to our old friend.

Thank you very much. Roy F.

Thank you very much.

On such a sad day, I didn’t feel worried inside, I felt really peaceful with you and my family…

I had a good experience in not a nice situation, it was a lovely service, very calm. It was very windy, the wind stopped, the sun came through the clouds.

You and Ben (the funeral director) were very calm. You delivered 100% . It was really nice – you understood our needs. You followed really nicely what exactly I needed, exactly the way I needed. You guys really listened.

Everyone has different needs and our choices were important. Thank you for listening. I feel peaceful (after the service).

Malgozarta K. (mother of stillborn baby)

From the time I asked Benn to do a memorial service for my dad, I felt in safe hands. He explained the process, guided me every step of the way, and checked in with me at an emotional level, listening and being there when I needed it. A simple thank you does not begin to convey my gratitude for his guidance, assurance, the way he did my dad justice and conducted the service. Benn, thank you. We (the bereaved) are indeed blessed to have you during a time in our lives when we sorely need kind souls to understand, guide and comfort us.

Many thanks again for your guidance and support, before, during and after. It was a cathartic process for me. I’m so glad we did it and you had my back, and also the family’s. Riana A.

Both my mum and I wanted to thank you for yesterday. It was a lovely service and everyone who came said it was a fitting send off for Dad.

We have very special memories which will help us through this difficult time. Sarah O.

A lovely service for L. delivered with such sympathy. Thank you, H. D.

That was H. to a “T”! Thank you. Friend 

Benn many thanks for your kind words, and for taking care of K. The script is beautifully written. The tremendous care and passion you have for your job shows in your writing. Hamdi 

We are so thrilled with the service for Mum. So many people thought you knew her so well. Amazing! Thank you. Jessica H.

A HUGE thank you for all you have done for us. You’ve been amazingly supportive. I don’t know how I’d have coped without your help and patience! Your way with words – a gift! Wendy R. (partner)

Working with you was a big weight off my shoulders. The service went really well. I’ve received several messages “what a lovely service”. Dad would have been so proud that it went so very well. Thank you!  Linda S.

Thank you very much for doing Alan’s funeral.  We really appreciated you taking the time and effort to make it just right for us and Alan.

You managed to pitch the funeral at just the right tone, and helped to make sure all the family felt important and included.

You took a lot of the stress out of the planning stages, and of course on the day, everything ran very smoothly.

The other thing was getting the order of the service right for us, and making sure everything was agreed and scripted so we all knew exactly what was going to happen on the day. Phillipa D. (niece)

Many, many thanks for all the hard work that went into the arrangements for my dad’s funeral. It really paid off and the service went smoothly.

We were all very appreciative of the care, respect and detailed preparation that went into every aspect of the service.

Once again thank you. Show Han / Sue-Han 

(Chinese funeral service)

Thank you very much for everything you were very helpful.

All the family were happy with how the service went. Alix A.

Her husband said: “I enjoyed that” (the service for my brother).

I would like to take this opportunity to say from the bottom my heart thank you so very much  for the service, way you arranged our memories and told the story of our Mum, Nanny and great Nanny. This meant so much to myself, family and friends.

Benn one thing I can say for sure Mum would have liked you and would have enjoyed your company, of that I have no doubt. Thomas B.

I cannot thank you enough for your support and guidance you provided for our entire family throughout arranging Dad’s final farewell. Your kindness and gentle nature in handling our family’s emotions is a quality that should not be underestimated or denied.

In my opinion, celebrants are not given the true recognition they deserve. You became our counsellor, bereavement therapist and friend! In an incredibly difficult time for families, you provided a space to ‘be listened to’.

Ensuring all families wishes are met is a challenge within itself. The beautiful service you held included everyone’s contributions and was delivered in a truly loving and thoughtful manner. Thank you!

Kate Sinclair (Zoom service)

Hi Mr Benn, sorry it has taken long before sending my word of appreciation for your help during my late aunty J’s burial. I and the family extend our gratitude to you. God bless you sir. Vivian A. 

(Ghanian Methodist burial service)

Thank you so much for all your help and support over the last few weeks. Someone at the service was so shocked to learn you had never met my Nanny and so that just goes to show how much you were able to capture her and all she stood for. For that I am eternally grateful. Kirstie W.

I have spoken with P and she has said to say how pleased she was at the beautiful funeral you officiated for her late Mother and she is very pleased with you and how efficient you was in the arrangements for the funeral.

Thank you for everything, I will definitely  be in touch with you again soon.

Hayley M. Funeral Arranger, John Nodes Funeral Services

Many thanks for your work on P’s funeral last week. I think your presentation, combined with John’s piece, was a fitting tribute for P. Mike

A huge thank you, you have made the difficult time easier and lifted our spirits. Susy

Thank you so much for all your help and guidance in organising the service for R. It was a beautiful send off for her. 

B. and family (Portuguese funeral) 

From our first meeting, we knew you were chosen for a reason… your herbalist beginnings and Mum’s life passion connected us instantly… Thank you for everything! Cristina F.

Thank you. The service was exactly as it should have been and a perfect reflection of my Avo. Back at the house everyone commented that you hit the right balance between reverence and humour. My uncle R. was a bit sceptical about the process last Saturday but back at the house said: ‘Benn really helped us with that service. I don’t think we would be here now so happy and well without it.’ Vanessa B.

(Portuguese service)

Thank you, again for officiaitng at I.’s funeral at Ruislip. You took a huge amount of time and care getting to know I. ahead of the funeral and many guests commented on how fitting it was. Warmest regards, Pam T. (wife)

Just wanted to say thank you again for helping us through that.. it’s not an experience you can prepare for. Really appreciated how you were able to capture my dad in such a short period of time as well. Everyone said the service was lovely, dad would definitely have loved it. smile Jamie S.

I  wanted to thank you again for the wonderful work you put into my husband’s funeral.  A number of our friends have phoned me to say they thought it  went very well.  I personally am very happy with how the day went.  Jenny P. 

Thank you so much for all the work you did for Mum’s funeral and for making it such a beautiful celebration of her life. Jacky & Gary T.

I would like to thank you for the part you played in my Daughter S L’s funeral. It was a beautiful service and I appreciate all the ideas you had to help make the day so special. Everything was just put together so perfectly and you spoke with such feeling. J. V. (mother of stillborn baby) 

Before I turn in I wanted to say a big thank you for today. You made my sister’s goodbye to us all very special for my family and me. For this, I will be eternally grateful. Kirsten S. 

Benn, thank you very much for a lovely service today. The few of us that were there felt the service was quite special in the circumstances. Sue B. (friend)

This is just so perfect! I can’t thank you enough! Incredible what you have put together there. 😊 Nothing at all needs to be edited, shocked really how you have made it so personal and spot on.  A true reflection in my opining of  how T was. Thank you again!!  Toby B. (friend)

Just wanted to send a huge personal thanks for your help over the last few weeks. I. would have been delighted with how it was carried out, she wasn’t a fan of big farewells. I will remember how sensitively this was handled and be forever grateful. S. 

(service for someone who took their own life)

Benn went above and beyond for my family after losing our mother. He was always there to talk to and was also very easy to talk to. He made it his business to talk to my siblings, so he could get a good understanding of who my mum was. I felt like I had known him for years, he had captured my mum’s character to a T. I know how hard it is deciding on what funeral director or celebrant to deal with as you want everything to be perfect for your loved ones send off. I highly recommend Benn, not only did he help me with the service, talking to him over the phone helped me feel so much better. He is truly a good caring person with such a good energy. I’m so grateful I had him as our celebrant. Ciaran E.

As a funeral arranger it is imperative that I choose the right celebrant for my families needs. There is only one person that I call on each time and that is Benn. With Benn I know my families are in safe, caring and professional hands. His empathy and support is second to none and the feedback is always excellent. 

In Benn you have someone who really listens to what is important and his writing skills really make the person come alive again for that one special and final time.

No matter what, I know Benn will  deliver and I am so pleased and privileged to have worked with him on many occasions and will undoubtedly work with him for a long time to come. I highly recommend this guy.

Tracey Finch, Fenix Funeral

Benn was the celebrant at my brother’s funeral last year and although he only had a 30 minute window, he managed to capture my brother’s eccentric personality and make people laugh and cry for a perfectly balanced funeral, I couldn’t fault it one bit, our father was also very impressed with Benn and said he was what made it such a wonderful send off for his son!

This alone is the reason that when my father sadly passed away almost exactly a year later, I tracked Benn down with the hope that he could travel to where the funeral was being held and honour my dad the way he did my brother (he already had my dad’s blessing).

I was so relieved when he said he would be honoured to do so and he was touched that I had asked, it felt like there was no way my dad’s funeral would be any less than perfect having Benn with me.

He was AMAZING from start to finish and took the stress out of the planning and even went above and beyond organising other parts of the funeral with the directors so that I didn’t have to. I would go so far as to say that planning the service with Benn on Skype was actually a really pleasant experience and I actually enjoyed talking Benn about my dad and reminiscing.

When the day came, he didn’t disappoint and we got endless compliments on the service, people laughed, cried and a staff member even said she felt she knew my dad after Benn’s descriptive stories about him.

He definitely made the day a special one and he is such an attentive lovely person! I can’t recommend him enough! Thank you so much Benn, you did my dad and brother proud!  Keira 

First and foremost, on behalf of the R. family, a very big thank you, for the way You and your colleagues performed and carried out arguably the most sensitive and devastating times in our lives with compassion, honour and respect for both the deceased and the loved ones left behind. 

From me personally I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Not only did you conduct the service you also made the process much less heart wrenching. My family is to say the least contrary, contentious and fractured.

I still say you were God sent, you managed to navigate around very challenging and sometimes difficult situations that had the potential of causing serious damage to the send off that my brother deserved… you actually brought about compromise where I didn’t think was possible. In my eyes you soothed our savage beast. 

Benn you made this day happen smoothly, you carried out your role with such grace and understanding. I never thought it would have been possible for people to feel such at ease to actually complain that there wasn’t enough time, the Pastor as you were called by my elders said it was as if you knew my brother how you spoke with affection and the way you handled the amount of people that showed up as all felt as though he was in the room with us approving. I have nothing but praise for you. I will tell anyone now, look at Benns’ eyes on his web site. You will see kindness, compassion and a peacefulness not found in many in his profession. With you Benn I felt at ease, you were easy to talk to and non judgemental but professional and nice. 

Thanks for making D’s day a memorable one for all the right reasons. With deepest gratitude, Yvonne N. 

(sister of young Jamaican man)

On behalf of our family, we wish to thank you Benn for the most professional and caring service you faciltated for our father’s recent passing. From start to finish, you devoted so much time and attention and assisted us in every step of the way. ALL of our questions and concerns were emphatically listened to and respected. You helped us craft a unique event for our father, blending elements of both traditional and modern services.

You made access to yourself incredibly easy, providing huge support by phone , videolink, email as well as a much appreciated visit to our home in advance of the funeral.

We felt totally taken care during such a vulnerable time as you not only facilitated our wishes but also liased extensively back and forth with the Funeral Directors to ensure that everything would flow well on the day, which it most certainly did!

We would be more than happy to recommend your services to anyone looking for that very personal and professional touch. Thank you.

The Dunne family

(contemporary Catholic mass service and burial)

I felt compelled to write (type) and let you know how pleased I was with the service that you provided for my late brother, M. The words of the Eulogy were, ‘Spot on’ and what you said and just as importantly, the way that you said it, epitomised the very character of him. This is not just my opinion but also that of my family. I also had many of those present come up to me afterwards and express how well your words captured the Michael they knew and remembered. Throughout the process that followed the unexpected death of my brother I have come up against hurdles, difficulties and delays, but as soon as you became involved there seemed to be a calming hand on the tiller and events ran smoothly – this can be no coincidence. Your helpful, approachable and ‘nothing is too much trouble’ attitude was so reassuring. Thank you doesn’t seem adequate enough to express our gratitude for the service you gave but never the less we do sincerely thank you… Tony & Family

We couldn’t have made it through the day without Benn’s help and expertise – after spending time with us, the portrayal of N’s life that he delivered on the day was excellent and a truly fitting tribute to him.  Benn’s compassion and professionalism exceeded our expectations. Lynda D. (sister)

​Benn was very good at keeping me up to date with contact that he had with the family and other attempts with neighbours. He responded promptly with information that I needed for music and stuck to deadlines for these. The script for the service was also available by email before the service for contingency purposes. He contacted me after the service to let me know how well everything had gone. A very friendly and professional celebrant! Carrie Burgess. Funeral Arranger, Co-op Funeralcare, Eastcote 

You played a blinder, Boy! Thank you for today. It went very well and people enjoyed the memories, although seemed afraid to chuckle at a funeral. Afterwards, we spent an hour and half sharing stories, laughing and crying, as should be done after a funeral. Thanks again for your kindness, patience and the time you took to find the man. Eternally grateful. B. xx (friend)

Thanks for your help and guidance yesterday. A sad day with a good mate. Was nice to see so many there. I know I lost it a bit. But just about got away with it. Don G. (friend)

Thank you for your kindness. The service was just as we wanted it to be. I took some of the flowers from the top of the coffin arrangement for mum. They are flourishing. Thank you for everything that you’ve done. Tracy L. 

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Transitions Mentoring

Within you, you have remarkable resources to  deal with any time of transition (change or loss) that affects your  life.

You just need to [re-]find these resources.

Potential solution: Choose a service that enables you to deal with both the acute/current problem – a transition, loss, bereavement – and empowers you towards your own independence towards the future.

Do this and you’ll attain incredibly powerful results and clarity. Click here for more information.

Midlife

Being 35 – 65 [in midlife] is a potent time of challenge when you become increasingly aware of mortality and death – of parents, of family – even your own… Parents age, children grow, things change and life demands so much…

Everything gathered together makes coping impossible as heartbreaks, sanity and conflicting emotions struggle to deal with such demands. And you feel a sense of loss of self; even traumatised.

Potential solution: Choose a holistic Midlifer Life-Changing bespoke service that’s, personalised to you and your needs.

Options include: herbal medicine, personalised mentoring and care to explore and find your own sense of well-being. Click here for more information.

End of Life & Living Funerals

Each individual is unique and deserves their opportunity to celebrate their life whilst hale of mind, if not hale in body. To lift a glass with loved ones, to smile, to touch, to hug, to have one last dance. To laugh; to cry.

Potential solution: Living funerals or “awake wakes” are special, well-held spaces for one at end of life to say their farewells in person. For family and friends to make memories; share love; to remember the beauty of life, even as life is fading.

You get to celebrate your life together unrestricted by chapel times and death getting in the way. Click here for more information.

Dealing with Death

At death, the person we knew is no more. Losing their personality changes everything and forms much of the grief you may face – you may longer hold them, care for them, or experience their presence for they are silent. But your love is not.

Cultural beliefs may include don’t discuss “it” for it may be contagious; ignore it; fear it; don’t acknowledge it. If you follow these ideas, then death can’t overwhelm you…

These old customs encourage keeping silent  about the painful, frightening things of life. Whilst no one may listen to how you feel, they will tell you should deal with your emotions, to fix your mind, thoughts and feelings. Question is: how would you like to feel?

Potential solution: When you choose to release bottled up emotions without judgement, you’ll feel cared for and released from the darkness of pain.

This can be achieved by regaining perspective of your life through airing what you’re thinking and feeling about your grief. With a person detached from the rest of your world in a safe, confidential environment. Click here for more information.

Funerals

There are many ways to design or host a funeral. For some people, tradition is essential; for others, a service without the sombre, formalised rituals suits them as a preference.

Many modern funerals are personalised with a blend of tradition with modern ritual that fits the one who has died, and their family. Whether this is religious, secular, with or without spirituality.

Potential solution: You require a completely different way of doing a funeral. One that encompasses the one who has died;  their and your beliefs and rituals; one that fulfils your needs as you say farewell in whatever way works for you. For you have designed and created a funeral you’ll cherish and value by working with a professional. Click here for more information.

Grief & Bereavement

Grief – the experience of loss and how you deal with it – is very individual to you.

Loss comes in many forms; the end of a life, the end of a relationship, the end of a role at work, significant life changes such as moving home or a health crisis…

One description of grief is “heartbreak”, a devastation that may influence an entire life, to be invisibly ingrained with far-reaching effects.

How you respond to these knocks and heartbreaks depends upon your resilience and perspective.

Potential solution: When you gain a fresh perspective, you arrive at a place you can deal with something that [invisibly] traps you. On release, you can regain your inner strength to face life. Click here for more information.

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