Hello, I am Martyn, and I was ordained in the Church of England back in 1988 in Winchester Cathedral. I am now with an Independent Church, based in Southampton, which gives more flexibility to offer to people services they would like. I also have an extensive funeral ministry and work with Funeral Directors in Hampshire and Dorset; and have had a close working relationship with Waters & Sons for several years now.

I will be happy to offer a wide range of choice when arranging a funeral for loved ones; and will always listen to your input and concerns. You can choose as much, or as little, religion, as you like, and indeed no mention of religion at all. I can also offer funerals for lapsed Catholics, as I have also been ordained with Old Catholic Orders. The most important aspect is getting the service right for you and your loved one. 

The music and other content choices are completely yours, too, and I am happy to help with suggestions for music, readings, tributes, putting together the order of service; and will liaise with your Funeral Director for you.

Hi 

My name’s Jim and I’m a freelance Christian minister, which means I’m able to adapt to the needs of each family I work with.

I regularly take funerals for those of all denominations or none.

If your preference is for a completely non-religious service, with no religious elements whatsoever, then you will want to choose a non-celebrant. But if you would like a traditional funeral, which has a Christian basis, but the focus being on your loved one, it would be my privilege to help you. This can include things like the Lord’s Prayer, and a hymn if you would like one. But the focus on the service is always the eulogy.

The services that I conduct are always very personal, warm and friendly – even using humour on occasion, where appropriate.

I will meet you in your home, or at my home if easier for you, and support you in the days leading up to the funeral, to guide you through the process. Having been a Baptist Minister for over 20 years, I am familiar with the whole range of funeral requirements and emotions you may be experiencing. This includes taking funerals in the most tragic of circumstances, including following a suicide, murder and death of a child. These situations are always extremely difficult for everyone concerned, and my role is to walk alongside you as you begin a long journey of grief. 

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to discuss any element of the funeral. 

I look forward to meeting you. It would be a privilege to conduct the funeral of your loved one.

Please request my assistance through the funeral director, or directly on:

revjim@talktalk.net / 07808 165531.

I have lived in Portchester all my life and know the community very well. 

I have over 33 years experience working for the NHS of which 16 years were spent working in Bereavement Services at Queen Alexandra Hospital.  Part of my role included providing the bereaved with good quality information about the practicalities surrounding what to do after a death, where to go, who to speak to, what are the next stages for making funeral arrangements etc.

In 2014 I attended a residential course in Cambridge and studied for the “Institute of Civil Ceremonies” qualification for which I received the “NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy”. 

The course underpinned everything I believe in when it comes to helping the bereaved at an emotional, difficult and sometimes traumatic time in their lives where the funeral service has to be “the story” told about the individual person.

I will provide you with a personal tribute that truly reflects your loved one, in the way you wish.

In the first instance, I will hold an initial meeting with you in either your home or anywhere you feel settled and comfortable enough to be able to tell me about your loved one and share memories with me in a way you wish everyone to know about, at the funeral service. 

That way the Funeral Service is bespoke, personal and totally dedicated to your loved one.

After the meeting I will type a “draft” tribute and email this across to you or meet with you again. This gives you the opportunity to take your time to go through it and change any information you wish to, making this your personal tribute to your loved one that I will deliver at the Funeral Service on your behalf. 

A copy of the final version will be sent to you a few days after the Funeral Service for your safe-keeping.

I truly believe that any funeral service should be special and individual to your loved one and it would be a privilege for me to offer my service to you. 

I was born in Blackpool, Lancashire and I have lived in Winchester, Hampshire for the last 14 years. I love living in Winchester, it is such a beautiful place.

Over the last 20 years I have worked in jobs which have had a large focus on customer service. I have always had a caring and compassionate nature and very much enjoy working with people.

In the first half of 2013, I attended a funeral service for a client who had no family or next of kin. As there was no minister or family involved, the funeral director only said a few words and I was very saddened by this. I did not feel this at all reflected the person’s life or all they had been, something I feel very strongly about.

Several weeks later, one of the clients I was directly involved with also passed away. I wanted this client to have a proper funeral service, so I contacted the funeral director with the intention of saying a few words. I was offered the opportunity to create and conduct his funeral service,  which I accepted as a honour and a privilege.  I then gave this gentleman the personal farewell he deserved with personal touches relevant to his life. Not long after this, I had a second opportunity to write and conduct a personalised funeral service for another client.

From this came the inspiration for me to retrain as a Funeral Celebrant. I am very passionate that every person should have a  farewell service which truly reflects them. I chose the name ‘Beautiful Ceremonies’ to reflect the intrinsic beauty of each ceremony I will create, bringing comfort to you and others through the weaving together of music, poetry, prose and other things dear to your loved one.

I completed my Funeral Celebrant training with the County Celebrants Academy in mid November 2013. I am also a member of the County Celebrants Network.