If your loved one has had a direct cremation with no service, you may be left feeling there’s been no real chance to say goodbye.
I’m Jane Jones, an independent celebrant based in North Wales, and I help families create warm, personal Celebration of Life ceremonies – either shortly after the cremation or weeks or months later – in a place that truly feels right for you.
What Is a Direct Cremation?
More and more people are pre-planning their funeral with direct cremation emerging as one of the most popular options.
Funeral directors will offer direct cremations which can be more affordable.
So, what is a direct cremation? Well, it is basically an unattended cremation. Your loved one will be collected by the chosen funeral director, taken care of and then cremated without a service.
Whilst this option is a no fuss option, pre-planned, pre-paid and a more affordable choice, it can leave families feeling they haven’t had the chance to say a final farewell. Not having a service to attend often leaves families without closure and in some cases preventing them from navigating their grieving process. That’s why more families are choosing to hold a separate Celebration of Life or memorial ceremony – a chance to gather, share stories, and say goodbye properly, even if the cremation itself was unattended.
Why Choose a Celebration of Life Service?
Instead of a traditional funeral service, you can have a celebration of life where the family can get together at a place of their choice—perhaps a venue, their home, a garden, or even their loved one’s favourite place. There are no restrictions—the choice is yours.
That’s where a celebrant comes in. A celebrant will meet the family and learn all about the life of their loved one. They will then draft a beautiful, meaningful tribute which reflects the life they led, their legacy and the impact their life had on all their family and friends.
How It Works After a Direct Cremation
- We talk – I’ll listen to your story, explain options and help you decide what kind of gathering feels right.
- Choose your setting – a garden, favourite walk, village hall, hotel or even your own home anywhere across North Wales.
- Create the ceremony – I write a personal tribute, help you choose music, readings, and any rituals (such as lighting candles or scattering ashes).
- On the day – I lead the ceremony calmly and compassionately, giving everyone space to share memories, tears and laughter.
- Keepsake script – after the ceremony you’ll receive a beautifully presented copy of the script to keep.
How a Celebrant Creates a Meaningful Celebration of Life Ceremony
Whilst sadness is a natural part of loss, a celebration of life encourages joy and even laughter as you are given the space to reminisce the good times you shared.
There is no single fixed format to a celebration of life ceremony. The event can be tailored to your own unique gathering. There are no restrictions to the content of a life celebration service. You can have music, poetry, a slideshow of images of your loved one’s life. Your celebrant will help you organise and design your gathering.
Personalising a Life Celebration Service
You can incorporate a beautiful ritual in your celebration of life and your celebrant will guide you through all your options. A particularly poignant tradition is a memorial candle ceremony where a candle is lit to honour the memory of your loved one—symbolising their enduring spirit and life.
When Can You Hold a Celebration of Life Ceremony?
There is no time limit as to when you have your celebration of life. It can be planned any time after a person has passed, allowing families more time to create something more meaningful.
A Family Testimonial: A Celebration of Life with Jane
Here’s a testimonial from a family Jane helped create a celebration of life:
“Jane conducted a Celebration of Life for my Dad. From start to finish, the whole experience was professional, empathetic and comforting. Jane took the time to speak to all of us on a Zoom call. She gently asked questions to gather information and really listened to our stories. She shared with us what she had written about Dad and encouraged us to make amends if necessary. On the day itself, Jane was so thoughtful. She took time to speak to guests when they approached her and had thought of everything, even providing us with forget-me-not seeds for the guests and beautiful keepsakes for the family. The service was delivered with compassion and we felt that she had really captured who Dad was. She was not at all intrusive, yet managed to seem completely supportive to us all. I would highly recommend Jane and imagine that she would be excellent for all types of event.”
Areas I cover
I support families across North Wales, including Flintshire, Wrexham, Denbighshire, Conwy, Anglesey and Gwynedd, and along the border with Chester and the surrounding areas.