About Amy

I experienced my first bereavement at the age of 10, when my parents were killed in a car accident, which I survived. My brother and I were fortunate to be taken in by our Godparents, who already had three children of their own, and we became a part of their family. Whilst we didn’t start calling our Godparents ‘mum and dad’, they raised us as their own, and our siblings are nothing less than our brothers and sisters. What we lack in blood connection we make up for in being a now very large close family. Blood isn’t always thicker than water. 

All those years ago, back in the '70s, society was less adept at dealing with things like child bereavement. There was no counselling, and my brother and I weren't allowed to attend our parents' funeral. I feel very strongly now that it would have helped us to come to terms with losing our parents, to grieve. A service is a very important ceremony, a time to say goodbye.  

As we all do, I have suffered many other bereavements in my life, including the death of my Godfather, my second dad, who was my rock. Our rock. This year, 2018, I lost a very dear friend to cancer, and also my beloved Labrador, Taya, my close companion for 10 and a half years, also to cancer. Such a cruel disease, I have conducted many services for people who have died from various forms of it. 

Each personal bereavement teaches me something new about loss and grief, and helps me when I work with families at such a difficult time, as they are coming to terms with the death of someone they love. I have not only empathy, but great compassion for anyone going through loss.

Having been a Motivational Coach for nearly 20 years, I love hearing people’s stories, and as I also love to write, I spend a lot of time crafting a service that is unique and special, ultimately ensuring that the delivery is gentle, respectful and celebratory of life where appropriate. 

I love to help people, I always have, and being a Funeral Celebrant is a privilege, and one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.