Just a little bit about me…

I’m Julie, an independent Funeral Celebrant based in the North East, covering the Tees Valley, North Yorkshire,  Darlington & County Durham, Redcar & Cleveland, Hartlepool and surrounding areas. 

I'm a native of Bishop Auckland, but have lived in Stockton on Tees for many years.

If you're from the area, you might recognise the local backdrop in some of the photos here which were taken by Chrissy Elaine Wilson Photography of a very reluctant subject!! Having my photo taken is far from my favourite thing but I wanted to be able introduce myself to you properly.

For me, being a celebrant is about one thing above all else: making the ceremony about the person who has died and the people who knew and loved them.

No two families are the same, and no two ceremonies should be either. I take the time to listen, to gather the stories, memories and little details that bring someone’s personality to life, and then turn those words into a ceremony that feels genuinely personal.

My approach is warm, down-to-earth but very organised, professional and detail orientated. 

I’m not there to tell you how a funeral, a memorial service or a celebration of life should be done - I’m there to listen and understand what feels right for you.

Sometimes that means writing and delivering the whole ceremony myself. 

Sometimes it means helping family members or friends find the words and supporting them to take part. 

Either way, I’ll be there from our first conversation through to the day of the ceremony.

My background as an IT Analyst and trainer, group fitness and yoga teacher and, more recently, experience of performing on stage (as a stand up comedian, believe it or not!) have all blended to give me many skills that have guided my role  as a celebrant over the years - communication, organisation, confident delivery and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to really LISTEN.

I feel incredibly privileged to be trusted with people’s stories at such an important and poignant time.

My aim is simple: to create a ceremony that feels like them, sounds like them and gives you a meaningful way to say goodbye.

Julie