“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments which take our breath away.”
Testimonials from Funerals which I have personally lead:
13th January 2022: Paul – we could not have asked for more from you today. The service you created for Pat was so personal and so thoughtfully written that it made such a difficult day a lot easier for us. Thank you for all your help over Christmas and the New Year as we brought it all together. Love G and family.
17th January 2022: Thanks for all your help in creating a service which was just right for Dad. Best wishes, J, J and family.
18th January 2022: Sometimes, you don’t need many words to say farewell – thank you for listening to exactly what we needed and creating a gentle, loving ceremony which has helped us all through such a difficult and tragic time. Best wishes, Paul. C and family.
21st January 2022: Paul – I have to say what an amazingly beautiful service you led for Mum today. The chapel was packed to overflowing with the service also broadcast outside on the speakers. You have been first rate all the way throughout helping us – and delivered everything so beautifully on the day. Word perfect, and with just the right amount of emotion and humour. Love D, S, N, G and families.
26th January 2022: Thank you so much for everything you did for us this afternoon Paul. Mum’s Funeral was the best Celebrant-led Funeral I’ve ever been to and – I have to say – I enjoyed how you pulled it all together and delivered it on the day. It was so personal, and bought out a few laughs too, which was exactly what we wanted. Mum would have loved you. Love B, D and family.
28th January 2022. Just want to thank you again so much for Friday Paul it was all and more than we wished for – both at Parndon Wood and, later at Greenacres. Everyone was so complimentary about you – even a minister friend who came from Reading. I loved the gathering outside the hall with the music – never had that at Greenacres before. You did Jim and us proud so thank you very very much Now we have the video which is superb and can actually enjoy it all. My friend in Loughton wants you when her and her husband’s time comes! Take care and thank you. B
31st January 2022: Good Morning Paul. We cannot express our gratitude in words for your input in Uncle Ron’s send off on Monday, Humility, Kindness & Sincerity from our first meeting till the funeral day. I have passed your website details to the Care Agency owner, Tina Ayling, and feel sure she will ‘spread the word’ as such. With Many Thanks and the kindest of regards. Gef, Mary & Jan xx
1st February 2022: Morning Paul. Roy, myself and the family would like to thank you for David’s service yesterday, which we felt was right for David and the way you conducted it, we couldn’t ask for anymore. Thank you once again.
Sue and Roy.
2nd February 2022: Dear Paul, We just wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful service you conducted for us on Wednesday. We felt it captured Dad’s life and character perfectly – and having the chapel lights dimmed for his last performance on the clarinet on the video tribute was just so special. There wasn’t a dry eye. We had many people say how much they enjoyed it. Thank you! Kind regards – Pam, Fiona and Caroline.
8th February 2022: Paul, I would just like to thank you so much for the time and consideration that you put into making the funeral for my Father a celebration of his life. With your help and guidance we put together content for the service that we were pleased with. Afterwards I had a number of comments on how heartfelt your delivery was and how caring your attitude was in showing respect and empathy in our time of deep sadness. You went above and beyond our expectations and when we reflect on the events of the funeral our contact with you will be remembered with a warmth and with gratitude for the great support you gladly gave us. Best Wishes, Carole Harvey
11th February 2022: Paul, we would like to thank you for all your hard work, compassion and for leading a truly great service for Dad at Three Counties on his last day with us. Everyone was so positive about you and the way you communicated Dad’s story – many part sof which didn’t fail to raise the smile expected! Love Sue.
14th February 2022: Dear Paul, we truly could not have asked for a more caring and kind person to look after Mum’s service for us at Chelmsford. Your support, professionalism and dignity on the day shone out and was commented on by everyone who came along. Thank you again, C, I and family.
22nd February 2022: Paul, we know it was a wet and wintry afternoon – but that totally didn’t bother you in the slightest. despite everyone getting soaked, you remained completed composed, and delivered such a heartfelt farewell for Elizabeth. A true professional, and we are very thankful you were recommended to us. With thanks, David and family.
16th March 2022: Dear Paul. Thank you, thank you for doing our dear Danny so proud today. The ;place was absolutely packed, and we can not thank you enough for all your support, and for ensuring the day itself went without a hitch. Despite how busy it was, it still felt calm, dignified and timeless as we said our final goodbyes – you gave us all that we asked for, and more. Love S, T, A, L and family.
16th March 2022: Paul: I want to say thank you for your professionalism this afternoon, and to let you know that I will commend your services to the Funeral Director. It wasn’t an easy service to prepare, but from the word go, you put me at ease and helped us to focus on all the good moments of Mum’s life, culminating in a farewell that everyone, young and older, appreciated. With thanks, Ken.
17th March 2022: Dear Paul – thank you again for a lovely service for Dad. I know there were only two of us there, and you adjusted your words accordingly. It just made it all the more personal. Thank you for supporting me through saying goodbye to Dad – you’ve been brilliant. with love, Amanda.
18th March 2022: Paul – thank you for coming all the way down to Kent to do Dad’s Funeral for us. You knew we’d ask for you when the time came and you didn’t disappoint. Your service was absolutely superb – and everyone said how personal it was, as well as how moving your own delivery of your words were. You did him proud, and for that, we truly thank you. Love A, J, J, J and families.
22nd March 2022: Paul, once again, you have been truly outstanding. Although this is the 4th time you’ve helped us, we can say that each time, your services have been unique and totally fitting. As always, you held the space and huge number of us perfectly, leading the afternoon with lightness, humour and dignity in equal measure. With, thanks, P & H.
24th March 2022: Paul, thank you for all your support over the last 2 weeks – your gentle guidance led to a lovely, farewell for him this morning at Upminster. Mum was so pleased, and I can’t thank you enough. With thanks, E & K.
28th March 2022: Thank you, Paul for everything you did for us for Bob’s Funeral. With over 250 coming along to say their goodbyes, you managed the whole event perfectly – a mix of smiles and tears. Thank you, too for reading all our family tributes with just the right mix of emotion and humour. From D and family.
7th April 2022: Dear Paul. We just wanted to say thank you again for such a gentle an loving service for Mum, and for producing some beautiful Orders of Service for us. Love, Jo and family.
8th April 2022: Hello Paul – thanks so much for the lovely service you gave Mum this afternoon at New Southgate. It was absolutely perfect for her, and also for us. Not too long, as we wished – but very moving all the same.
11th April 2022: Hi Paul…thank you once again for all the support you gave us in the lad up to Dad’s service, and on the day itself. It was absolutely perfect, and he would have loved it. Love, M, M and families.
11th April 2022: Dear Paul. Thank you so much for giving E such a wonderful send-off this afternoon at Enfield, it couldn’t have gone any better. With thanks, E, D and families.
14th April 2022: Dear Paul. It’s the 3rd time you’ve helped our family now – and we truly wouldn’t have anyone else!! Thank you so much for travelling all the way down to Margate for us to lead Paul’s service this afternoon, and, as always, for all the love and support you give to us every time we’ve used you. With love, Sue.
27th April 2022: Hello Paul. Thank you so much for giving our dear Mum a really wonderful service this afternoon at Enfield, and for speaking all the words we gave you so beautifully. It all passes so quickly, but you really did her (and us) proud. S, J and families.
29th April 2022: Dear Paul, We were so pleased that you were available to look after us again for Mum’s service, just as you were for Dad during the Pandemic. Yet again, it was absolutely superb, and it was all about Mum from beginning to end, so huge thanks for helping us to bring it all together, resulting in a perfect, seemless flow. Love C and family.
6th May 2022: Dear Paul – Just wanted to say a huge thank you again for making the Funeral of Charles Green go so perfectly today. So many lovely comments from both family and friends. We were so pleased to find that you were available for help us once again. With sincere thanks, Brian & Sue.
20th May 2022: Hi Paul – we all just wanted to let you know what a superb job you did for us as we said goodbye to our lovely Mum. You spoke about her as if you’d known her for all those 96 years, and that meant absolutely the world to us. With love, S & family.
20th May 2022: Paul, thank you for being available to help our family again – and for giving Dad a great send off this afternoon at Herongate Wood. N, G, A and families.
24th May 2022: Paul, I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work you put in into making A’s service so fitting and personal this morning. It was powerful, yet deeply moving and sensitive at the same time – the exact right mix. Your suggestion of having one of his bikes on display as a backdrop was superb – thanks for sorting that for us. You were professional and dignified from beginning to end. Thank you so much. P, A and family.
27th May 2022: Oh Paul – Wow! The service moved us to tears even when you sent us the draft. We’d forgotten how many stories we’d told you about Dad’s life. We were all talking so much that day, but you bought it all together into the most wonderful Funeral for him. The chapel was full up – yet you continually gave our close family your unwavering support throughout the service, making sure we were all OK. Love J and family.
31st May 2022: Dear Paul. We all just wanted to thank you again for giving Grandad such a great send off this morning at Upminster – and for all you did for us for Nan’s Funeral 4 years ago. You bought it all together perfectly, and re-united them both once again – and that was such a big comfort for all of us. With love, R, A, J and families.
6th June 2022: Dear Paul – thank you for understanding our cultural wishes and a quiet and gentle service for Mum today – your respect and gentle guidance were greatly appreciated by Dad and everyone who came along. Thank you again, from H, P, S and family.
6th June 2022: Paul – Thank you so much. What a beautifully fitting and moving service for Mum. We can’t thank you enough for bringing it all together for us, and for leading it so calmly with all the grace and dignity she deserved. Love P and family.
7th June 2022: Hi Paul – You did Dad (and us) proud today. What a superb service, and thank you for reading our words with all the love we wanted to get across. It was so difficult for us, but your smile and support were always on hand and we’re very grateful for your gentle guidance. Love D & J.
8th June 2022: Paul, thank you for bringing everything together so well for us this afternoon into the light-hearted send off Fred would have wanted. We were all very pleased. With thanks, B & family.
17th June 2022: Dear Paul, thanks so much for helping us with the interment of Dad’s ashes today. Although your little Ceremony was brief, you still managed to make me cry again. Happy tears though, because I know that, in using you, we truly gave Dad the very best send off we could ever have hoped for. Thanks you also for suggesting the use of the herb Rosemary for today. The significance was beautiful, and it allowed everyone to take a gentle part in the service, too. With love, Sue and Alan.
17th June 2022: Dear Paul – I don’t know what to say: you were magnificent at Mum’s service this afternoon. From the moment we met you, you worked with our advanced plans for Mum’s service, giving us complete confidence that it was all achievable within the time we had at Upminster. The effort you put into reading the eulogy that Mum herself had written, was magical. Somehow, it all felt timeless, not a rush and, even though we were late to the venue, you moved over 200 people through the difficult and far-too-early farewell of our Queen, ending with some uplifting words for us to carry on celebrating her life afterwards. You really did her proud. B, V, A and families.
20th June 2022: Hi Paul, I would just like to say a big thank you for mums service today. It was so lovely and many of our guests said it was just so perfect for mum. I thank you most of all for your kindness and care, and for making mums last day with us so special. Best Wishes, Helen.
29th June 2022: Paul, we were only together here 4 weeks ago – and we didn’t expect to see you again so soon. But when J passed, we knew it was you that we wanted to do her service. Again, as with the other two times, it was beautiful, unique and just perfect for J and all she achieved in her life. Thanks so much for being with us again. Love J and family.
1st July 2022: Dear Paul…Your quiet efficiency, dignity, humility and professionalism have shone out over the very short period of just 4 days that we worked together for Dad’s Funeral at Enfield. You visited us the very next day, took on board everything we wanted to say, and then took on all 7 personal tributes to read, pulling everything together for us on the 3rd day so as we had a day free before the Friday…and what a great job you did at reading some very emotional tributes. Mum was so uplifted afterwards…it was the celebration of Dad’s life with all the family involved. We couldn’t have done all this without you. Love G and family.
15th July 2022: Dear Paul. We wanted to thank you for your hard work in putting together a lovely service for Mum today, and for managing all the music for us too. Love B & J.
19th July 2022: Hi Paul – Thank you so much for looking after G’s service at Enfield today. We had a lot to share with you, but what you put together for him was very special, both healing and comforting, which we greatly appreciated. From L, J and family.
25th July 2022: Paul – Thank you for a beautiful service for Mum today, I was so impressed with all the notes you took in our meeting, and how genuinely interested you were about the life she had lived. It will have been lovely for the younger generations to hear, as they didn’t know too much about Mum’s younger years before coming to London. I also hope you like the small gift I gave you as a token of my appreciation for all your hard work. From David.
29th July 2022: Hi Paul. As you know, the minute we saw your draft for Dad’s service, Mum said it was absolutely perfect and we didn’t change a thing. So many people remarked on your delivery – with one person who we knew spoke to you saying that it was the best lead service he had ever been to. Thank you for supporting and encouraging us to make Dad’s last day the best it could possibly have been. Love all M’s family.
2nd August 2022: Paul – you absolutely did George proud today. Your lovely service bought so much comfort to everyone who came along to say goodbye at Parndon Wood. Many thanks again, T, J and family.
8th August 2022: Dear Paul – thank you for listening to us so carefully and bringing together our wishes for a short but dignified service for my Sister. It was exactly what I had hoped for in saying a gentle farewell.
11th August 2022: Paul, your skills at working remotely with families in grief are second to none. From our first contact, you put us all at ease and bought Mum’s Ceremony together exactly has we had wished – and actually included every family tribute, where we thought you might just include a selection. But you sensed the importance of everyone having their part read, and built it all in. It meant so much to everyone and we can’t thank you enough. Love D, J S and our very big family.
15th August 2022: Paul – we just wanted to say thank you again for all your gentle understanding over the past two and a bit weeks leading up to Dad’s service today at Woodman Road. You’ve been so kind, and held the packed chapel and cemetery beautifully. From B, S, S and family.
16th August 2022: Paul, thank you once again for conducting a very loving service for my Father-in-Law. It was very well received and a lovely tribute to his life. M and family.
19th August 2022: Thank you so, so much Paul for flying all the way up to Glasgow to conduct Bill’s service for us. I was thrilled when you said you would – and between us, we put together the most magnificent farewell, full of family memories and personal tributes. The whole service was so lovely, emotional, but full of laughs and also deeply respectful, which Bill would have greatly appreciated. Love J, R and all Bill’s family and friends.
22nd August 2022: Dear Paul, We knew we were in safe hands from the time we first met you as you’d led another family funeral for us in 2021 – but I just want to say how beautiful your service was for Dad. Your perfectly written (and delivered) words bought together exactly the right mix of respect and humour that we wished to have for him. Thank you again for your genuine kindness and reassurance (and hugs on the day – much needed) Love L E, S and family.
23rd August 2022: Paul, Thank you very much for a perfect service for Dennis this afternoon at Greenacres. Very, very nice indeed – and Mum said you were so kind to her from beginning to end. Thank you, too for providing Mum with a special copy of the service for her to keep. Love E, T and family.
6th September 2022: Hi Paul – I just wanted to say a belated thank you for the effort and love you put into my wife’s Funeral. It was amazing that I knew your Dad from his work – but didn’t know you, and we only found that out once we had met back in August. It bought me instant comfort and felt like a huge weight had been lifted. Thank you for your kindness in our meeting, and for all you did on the day. From P.
9th September 2022: Dear Paul. Thank you for all the hard work and time you so generously gave to us in brining Dad’s memorial service together at Greenacres. Your kindness, and un-hurried manner, coupled with your reassurance and respect made it a day to remember.
14th September 2022: Hi Paul. I could not have wished for our farewell to my sister, Karen, a local and much-loved Lib Dem Councillor, to have been any more perfect than what you helped us achieve for her. You led the service so well at Bentley – it was faultless. Karen would have loved you – and I know if she would have had any hand in choosing, she’d have gone straight for you. Love C, L and family.
13th October 2022: Paul, my BFF! This was the third time we’ve asked for you to support us in just 6 months as we laid another family member to rest – this time it was our lovely Mum. Just like before, we knew we could trust you and I have to say, you absolutely did her (and all of us) proud as we said our last goodbyes. We are so lucky to know of you. Love Alison, Janet and Julie xxx
18th October 2022: Dear Paul. On behalf of our family, I wanted to convey our sincere thanks for all the hard work you put into Mum’s service at City of London. We will be forever grateful. Love S and family.
28th October 2022: Paul, On behalf of us all, and especially our mum, I just wanted to say thank you for the perfect funeral service on Friday. Even though you never met Gloria, your thoughtful manner and kind words captured our mum so very well. Special thanks go to the way you read J’s poem so beautifully. From the bottom of our hearts – thank you. We wish you well for the future.
Kerry, Debbie, Barry & Tony.
31st October 2022: Dear Paul, We wanted to contact you and say a HUGE thank you for the amazing job you did in celebrating L’s life and for giving him a unique and wonderful send off. He would have ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
So many friends and family have said that despite the circumstances, the farewell was extremely special. .and they’ve never been to anything like it – A true and brilliant testament to him… Happy, funny, sad, and full of cheeky banter and great music.
I appreciate that our side of the family weren’t technically your clients, but we all felt welcomed by you – and heard… Something we are eternally grateful for.
The family (as you know and like so many) are fragmented and grieving. No doubt you’ve seen it all before – but thank you again for your patience, genuine care and fairness.
We were extremely proud of how it all came together on the day and how the love for L united a packed chapel for his special day. That was one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to deal with. Once again, many thanks for all the magic you personally brought to leading a very sad but very special day… It was unforgettable.
Warmest wishes always xxx
1st November 2022: Good morning, Paul. I hope you are well this morning? This is just to say, on behalf of L, C and myself, a big thank you for the service you gave Mum yesterday. The way you carried everything out was professional, and with the greatest of dignity. And this did not go unnoticed back at Mum’s house afterwards, as I had lots of comments from friends and neighbours on how you carried it out, too. They said it was so nice that it was clear and audible for those with hearing difficulties, which meant they could understand and hear everything that you said. So that was wonderful to hear. Once again, a big thank you for a very professional service to send Mum off on. I appreciate all that you did for us yesterday and wish you well going forward. Thank you. Mehmet.
4th November 2022: Paul, Thank you again for all your care and kindness in helping us to say a gentle and appropriate goodbye to my Brother at Enfield. The service was very fitting for him.
11th November 2022: Paul – what can we say? You were amazing when you helped us in 2020, and I am so pleased that you were available for us again. I’ve not let go of your business card in 2 years. Once again, everything you did for us was beyond perfect. Thanks so much. Love H, & Spud.
14th November 2022: Good evening Paul, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for today. I cannot tell you just how many people, family and friends, who have commented on how wonderful the service was. It was exactly as I would have wanted it to have been, totally personal, and a perfect reflection of my wonderful Mum. Not many people can reduce my friend Andy, the huge rugby player, to tears however that’s exactly what you did today. It was a wonderful, poignant service and Mum , who you’d met two years ago as we planned Dad’s service, would have loved it…Thank you so much Paul, Kindest regards, Nicola
14th November 2022: Thank you Paul for my late father’s service. You were spot on and my wife and I were so impressed , your kindness shone through . The English family .
16th November 2022: Dear Paul, I just wanted to drop you a quick note to thank you for making the service for Dad’s funeral run so smoothly. Everyone mentioned to me afterwards how lovely it was and that Dad’s personality was reflected to a tee in your reflections. The day was a very fitting send off for Dad and Chris and I just wanted to say thank you for your support. Kind regards, Kate & Chris
22nd November 2022: We all just wanted to thank you for today. Your tribute to Nan was so lovely, and you really did her proud. Thank you so much for your kind approach – we all appreciated the time you took to put everything together. Love Holly, Vicky & Viv and family.
28th November 2022: Dear Paul. From the first moment we all met you, and shared all those laughs and tears at the family meeting for Betty, we knew you were the right person for us. The service on the day was absolutely beautiful – her brother and sisters appreciated every word – and, as you know, we raised a good laugh too about the ‘mending’ of Kevin’s socks! Best wishes for the future, Steve and family.
30th November 2022: Dear Paul, Darron and I just wanted to thank you again for giving Dad the perfect send-off at Forest Park this morning. I admit, we weren’t easy to get hold of for a while, but your gentle guidance and understanding helped us to achieve a ‘not too packed’ service, but rather one which genuinely honoured Dad’s life, his character and his beliefs. Your dignity and respect from our first meeting right through to, and on the day itself was superb. Your cadence, and the genuine love you put into delivering every word and sentiment, moved us to a level we never imagined. We both, indeed all, wish you every success for the future. Best regards, Russ.
30th November 2022: Paul, Many thanks for your kindness, and for your hard work on Dad’s service at Parndon Wood. Everything you did for us was so greatly appreciated. With our best wishes, H, R, C and family.
5th December 2022: Dear Paul, We would like to extend our sincere thanks to you for Dad’s service at City of London. You made such an impression on Mum, who had really been struggling – and indeed all of us. Your kindness, empathy, and understanding shone out throughout the entire service. With best wishes, M, S, J and family.
6th December 2022: Thank you, Paul, for doing John’s service at Upminster – very intimate, but absolutely perfect for him. Love N & E-S
9th December 2022: Paul, this is the third Funeral you have now led for our Family, and on every occasion, you’ve made it unique and fitting to the person we had lost. Today was no different – a true, beautiful, and poignant reflection of Mum. Thank you, as always, for your warmth and kind, unhurried approach. Love J & P
9th December 2022: Paul, Your patience is outstanding. It may have been dark at 4pm at Enfield Crematorium for F’s Funeral, but your warmth and love for him impacted everyone who attended. Some of our friends felt profoundly affected by your understanding and empathy for the relationship I shared with F. And thank you again for phoning me, taking time to read through the whole service as I don’t have e-mail. With my fondest regards, B.
14th December 2022:
16th December 2022: