Gerry Gillespie
Funerals created with family to honour & celebrate a life
Hello, I'm Gerry
We often live our lives as if we are immortal, that we will live forever and don’t think about our own mortality or when we might die. Therefore when someone close to us dies it can often be a bewildering and confusing time especially if we feel unprepared. We may have some ideas of what we might like at the funeral service but sometimes we really struggle with how to start and what to include in the service.
A funeral is the opportunity for us to honour and celebrate the life of our loved one. It is a time to say our goodbyes in a meaningful and personal way, to pay tribute and express all that the family want to say. It can be a lasting memorial which can be a source of comfort and strength at such a sad and difficult time.
A funeral is the opportunity for us to honour and celebrate the life of our loved one. It is a time to say our goodbyes in a meaningful and personal way, to pay tribute and express all that the family want to say. It can be a lasting memorial which can be a source of comfort and strength at such a sad and difficult time.
What is a Funeral Celebrant?
Funeral Celebrants are ceremony specialists who help to create and officiate at personalised funeral ceremonies.
They work closely with families and loved ones to ensure the service truly reflects the person who has died and the families' wishes. Funeral Celebrants are sensitive and compassionate and will be able to listen carefully to what you want in order to make sure that the ceremony is an accurate reflection of your wishes.
A funeral celebrant is often chosen by families who may not be part of an organised church but would like an alternative spiritual service. I can also offer a belief-based service or any type that is personal to you.
Who am I and how I can help?
I was born in Teignmouth and lived here until I was 18. I then spent time in Valladolid in Spain, Naitiri in Western Kenya, Bow in Mid Devon and then in Exeter. I moved back to Teignmouth in 2006 to be close to Mum as she grew older and needed more support. I have worked in Pastoral care, as a Carers Support Worker , for Headway, a National Brain Injury Charity and in hospitals & various healthcare settings throughout Devon.
My current work is as a Cancer Support Specialist for FORCE, a local Cancer Charity, supporting patients and families through the most painful and difficult circumstances. I have also worked at Rowcroft and Hopiscare in Compassion.
Sensitivity and empathy are an essential part of who I am and therefore in how I work. These qualities have been formed by the people I have had the privilege of walking alongside.
I have been working with people facing end of life care over the last 35 years and have supported people who have been facing their own deaths. I have supported people who have been bereaved and been involved in setting up bereavement services. I have experienced losing people close to me and the pain and sadness that have changed my life forever. The raw pain and grief, the bewilderment and uncertainty that followed my own losses was unlike anything I have ever experienced.
My current work is as a Cancer Support Specialist for FORCE, a local Cancer Charity, supporting patients and families through the most painful and difficult circumstances. I have also worked at Rowcroft and Hopiscare in Compassion.
Sensitivity and empathy are an essential part of who I am and therefore in how I work. These qualities have been formed by the people I have had the privilege of walking alongside.
I have been working with people facing end of life care over the last 35 years and have supported people who have been facing their own deaths. I have supported people who have been bereaved and been involved in setting up bereavement services. I have experienced losing people close to me and the pain and sadness that have changed my life forever. The raw pain and grief, the bewilderment and uncertainty that followed my own losses was unlike anything I have ever experienced.
I work with people who have lost someone they love and can support and help them to find a way through their sadness to create a funeral, which will honour and celebrate the person who has died. This will help the family to create a personal and lasting tribute for their loved one who has died.
THOUGHTFUL
Create a funeral that truly reflects their life with our insight, support and creativity.
Planning a Ceremony
I make contact with you
The first thing I would like to do is to find out about you and the person who has died. This will be by phone or in person, COVID restrictions permitting. This will give me the opportunity to hear about the person who has died, what sort of person they were and what they loved to do. Music and readings can provide powerful memories and an opportunity for reflection.
I can discuss how the family want to be involved and the order of service leaflet that can be produced with the help of the Funeral Director.
The tribute is the most important part of the service. It is the opportunity for the family to tell the person’s story about who they were. This can be read by the member of the family or a friend or by myself as the celebrant.
I could include things like:
The story of their life
Significant dates and events in their life, family, education, work, places lived.
Interests- what they loved to do, their hobbies and what they were passionate about.
Their character
What they did to make you laugh or cry, their personality and character, all that made that person special to you. Personal stories are so important and the opportunity to tell some of those.
Music and readings
Did they have favourite music? Did they have a favourite reading or a poem?
These are a list of just a few things you may be able to start to think about in creating a truly unique and personal tribute.
The story of their life
Significant dates and events in their life, family, education, work, places lived.
Interests- what they loved to do, their hobbies and what they were passionate about.
Their character
What they did to make you laugh or cry, their personality and character, all that made that person special to you. Personal stories are so important and the opportunity to tell some of those.
Music and readings
Did they have favourite music? Did they have a favourite reading or a poem?
These are a list of just a few things you may be able to start to think about in creating a truly unique and personal tribute.
Call or email Gerry to ask him to help create your personal funeral.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember them.
When we have a joy we crave to share
When we have decisions that are difficult to make
When we have achievements that are based on theirs
We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We remember them.
At the rising of the sun and at its setting,
We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live
For they are now a part of us,
As we remember them.
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