I was initially a bit worried about what my mother’s sisters and their families would feel about us having a humanist celebrant but I think the mix that we had and the ease with which you allowed this to happen, means that everybody was able to take comfort from the celebration.
Author: douglas.duckworth
“You truly have felt like a friend to us …”
You truly have felt like a friend to us during the last couple of weeks – I don’t know how we could have managed without you. I also wanted to thank you for all the time and trouble you went to. I felt you really went above and beyond anything we could have hoped for.
“He did a brilliant job.”
Doug put in a lot of work to ensure the ceremony was as we wanted. He did a brilliant job.
“I would highly recommend him.”
Douglas did a great job and was very easy to deal with I would highly recommend him.
“Doug really did him proud.”
The service really paid tribute to my husband Lee … The way the stories were told people said they could imagine Lee saying them. Lee knew he had a very short time left and chose Doug before he passed away to do his service and Doug really did him proud.
“… the content was a true celebration of his life.”
Thank you for all your help and kindness at the funeral for my husband. It was a happy day and not an upsetting sad day, for the sun shone and your reading of the service and the content was a true celebration of his life. I’m so pleased he said he would like a humanist service.
“Doug was calm, kind and incredibly professional.”
Doug was calm, kind and incredibly professional. Having listened to us, he put together a wonderful tribute to mum which felt really personal and was exactly what we wanted. It was timed to perfection so that those unable to attend could share a minute’s silence for her.
“… The whole thing was about the person who had died …”
… The whole thing was about the person who had died not about God. … Doug’s handling of the occassion this time, for my step-mother-in-law’s funeral, was as excellent as that of his predecessor – moving, relevant, and positive. It could not have been better
“It was a pleasure working with Doug …”
It was a pleasure working with Doug and planning both the service and subsequent wake. Doug clearly spent a lot of time and effort in absorbing the background information and transforming it into an excellent and personalised eulogy/tribute.
“Doug was incredibly helpful …”
Doug was incredibly helpful … His calm and thoughtful narrative during the service helped link the various readings, music and tributes, making the whole thing a smooth and moving experience. The explanation of Humanism was sensitive and fitting. The family are so grateful for his support …