TESTIMONIALS
"In March 2020 we sadly lost our beloved 90-year old father to pneumonia/COVID.
Having to hold a funeral during lockdown was very restricting, adhering to safe distancing, strict timings and reduced attendee numbers. However, we employed a marvellous celebrant James Petherick to take complete responsibility for the service and to celebrate our father’s life with us and he was so perfect.At our initial meetings via telephone, he facilitated my siblings and I with much dignity. He listened to us all and asked lots of personal questions in attempting to truly understand my father and his life.
He then produced a draft which we all agreed to, paying particular attention to our wishes of music and order of service. He also liaised with the undertaker on details of the day.
On the actual day of the funeral, James was amazing, he took complete control. He has a wonderful warmth and humility about him, but maintains a professional calmness. He has a perfect respectful sense of humour at such a difficult time, which helps to manage emotions for others.He also has the ability to play the part that any family, I am sure, would require of him. For us, he sang a song, quoted Shakespeare and conducted a lovely family tribute to my father.
Thank you James "
Helen G
Having to hold a funeral during lockdown was very restricting, adhering to safe distancing, strict timings and reduced attendee numbers. However, we employed a marvellous celebrant James Petherick to take complete responsibility for the service and to celebrate our father’s life with us and he was so perfect.At our initial meetings via telephone, he facilitated my siblings and I with much dignity. He listened to us all and asked lots of personal questions in attempting to truly understand my father and his life.
He then produced a draft which we all agreed to, paying particular attention to our wishes of music and order of service. He also liaised with the undertaker on details of the day.
On the actual day of the funeral, James was amazing, he took complete control. He has a wonderful warmth and humility about him, but maintains a professional calmness. He has a perfect respectful sense of humour at such a difficult time, which helps to manage emotions for others.He also has the ability to play the part that any family, I am sure, would require of him. For us, he sang a song, quoted Shakespeare and conducted a lovely family tribute to my father.
Thank you James "
Helen G
"I asked James to be the celebrant for my mum's funeral. He was compassionate, interested and professional. He listened to our thoughts and memories of my mother and translated them into a sensitive, Intelligent service capturing exactly the right tone. He collaborated well with my brother so that the eulogy dovetailed perfectly with the service.
We all thought he did a great job and many non-family members mentioned how good the celebrant was."
Ronnie B
We all thought he did a great job and many non-family members mentioned how good the celebrant was."
Ronnie B
“James acted as celebrant for my father's funeral.
He was very caring and sensitive, polite and professional. He took full account of my family's wishes and ran the service with great compassion. Many people commented afterwards on how good he was and I would not hesitate to recommend him in this regard.”
Kate P
He was very caring and sensitive, polite and professional. He took full account of my family's wishes and ran the service with great compassion. Many people commented afterwards on how good he was and I would not hesitate to recommend him in this regard.”
Kate P
“When my wife Gay died in November 2018 we employed James who as well as being a civil celebrant was a long-time family friend.
Although we were both brought up as Scottish Presbyterians, we no longer had any religious faith and a religious funeral service did not seem appropriate.
James prepared himself conscientiously. He has a warm, calm personality and he conducted the funeral service with intelligence and dignity. My family and I are very grateful to him.
Several friends I spoke to after the service spontaneously commented on how well he had conducted the service.”
Kenneth B
Although we were both brought up as Scottish Presbyterians, we no longer had any religious faith and a religious funeral service did not seem appropriate.
James prepared himself conscientiously. He has a warm, calm personality and he conducted the funeral service with intelligence and dignity. My family and I are very grateful to him.
Several friends I spoke to after the service spontaneously commented on how well he had conducted the service.”
Kenneth B
“Dear James,
I just wanted to thank you for helping make the service on Wednesday so special. I genuinely believe Bob would have been pleased with it. Your support in pulling it all together and on the day itself meant an awful lot to me.”
Karen W
I just wanted to thank you for helping make the service on Wednesday so special. I genuinely believe Bob would have been pleased with it. Your support in pulling it all together and on the day itself meant an awful lot to me.”
Karen W
"The service was amazing James - it really seemed to encapsulate Les’s life and his joy of exploring lots of different places. Thank you so much"
Bridget H
Bridget H
Thank you so much for today. We all felt that you knew dad and the service was perfect. We would all like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Dad would be very proud!
Sandra T
Sandra T
We just wanted to say a big thank you for the amazing service you delivered at Anne's funeral.
During the whole process, from our first meeting. Through to saying goodbye after the funeral, you put us at ease & guided us the whole way.
Your attitude, conduct & professionalism were excellent throughout the entire time we since we met you.
Thank you again for all your help & guidance during a very sad, difficult time for us all.
Jane, Alison & our respective families
During the whole process, from our first meeting. Through to saying goodbye after the funeral, you put us at ease & guided us the whole way.
Your attitude, conduct & professionalism were excellent throughout the entire time we since we met you.
Thank you again for all your help & guidance during a very sad, difficult time for us all.
Jane, Alison & our respective families
