Live your life in a manner so that when you die

It takes real courage to face our own mortality, let alone to consider the world without us in it. In my work as a hospice chaplain, I spend a lot of time supporting people to consider what they want from their funeral – not simply the practical details and arrangements, but also encouraging them to reflect on the content of the service itself. In each case, my clients find it to be a deeply moving, thought-provoking and life-affirming experience.

 

As many of us have experienced, organising a funeral in the face of bereavement is a difficult and overwhelming process, often with little time or enough knowledge of what may have been wanted. Providing your family and friends with details of your wishes can bring a sense of clarity and comfort. It can facilitate profound and heartfelt conversations, and ultimately make the process that more bearable when the time comes.

 

However young or old you are, pre-arranging your funeral service can also bring you peace of mind and offer a powerful space in which to reflect on the life you have lived so far, and the legacy that you wish to leave behind. It can also highlight the diverse and colourful choices that are available to us when we plan ahead!

 

There are many ways to approach this work. I have planned my own funeral and shared it with my family, but it is very much a living document – subject to change and adaptation, as my own wishes shift and change. For many of my clients, the fruit of the work is in reflecting on their lives: past, present and future. Others simply require a document outlining the details and script for the service, to keep somewhere safe.

​

We each approach this work differently; some people may need one or two meetings; other people may wish to engage in a more comprehensive journey through spiritual counselling or soul work. Whether you simply need to be pointed in the right direction, or more in-depth guidance, I can offer my creativity, experience and insight to support you in the journey.