Here is a small selection of feedback as a taster – (funerals at the top. For weddings and family celebrations scroll to the bottom of the page).
FUNERALS:
Sutton Coldfield Celebrant
It’s not easy to conduct an intimate ceremony for six people but you made it feel as if we’d gathered in the front room to chat and remember our wonderful mum.
We really appreciated you standing with us rather than at the front of the crem, talking to us rather than at us. And we can’t thank you enough for taking the time to listen to our needs and injecting warmth and even humour into the memories. Your opening words were so moving too.
From the bottom of our hearts thank you from all of the Skeets family.
Birmingham Funeral Services
Hi Ruth
Just a short note to say a big thank you for the kind, considerate and professional way in which you conducted our dear son Paul’s service.
We were so anxious when we arrived as you can well imagine but when seated and the service began although still very upset, we listened with pride and comfort.
We had many comments after the service from numerous people saying how really well the service was conducted by you so thank you once again and if ever the need arises, we would certainly recommend you.
Kind regards Ron and Joan
Funeral Officiant Lichfield
Ruth your words were just perfect and it was easy to imagine nan just smiling down on us as we celebrated her life. Your lovely words were much appreciated by everyone.
A very big thank you from me for the support you have given to my Mom it means everything.
Kind regards
Lil xx
Funeral Services Sutton Coldfield
I wanted to drop you a line now Dad’s funeral is over and extend our heartfelt thanks to you for such a lovely and moving service yesterday. You delivered it perfectly and we are so very grateful – you really did Dad justice.
Indeed, most people commented yesterday on what a superb service it was, if not in fact the best they have ever been to! They also commented on how lovely you were and what a great job you did.
It has been our pleasure meeting and working with you. Our warmest thanks!
Joan, Sally & Jackie
Celebrant Services Stonnall
Yesterday was as near to exactly what we had planned and hoped for as possible, in no small measure because of you, Ruth. On behalf of the family, a Great Big Thanks
You will be remembered for a very long time, Ruth
Steve T and family
Funeral Celebrant, Birmingham
Dear Ruth,
The moment you contacted my mom, she knew you were the right person. On meeting us all we knew that we were in very capable, safe and secure hands. The service you delivered was better than we could ever have imagined, couldn't of asked for anything better. Everyone commented on how they had enjoyed it. You made the whole experience from when you gathered the detail beforehand, picking out the key bits to delivering it in such a gentle manner was easy and comfortable for us all. You have a very special talent and beautiful, caring soul.
Again, many thanks Ruth, made a difficult day that little bit better.
Nick Bevington.
Funeral Celebrant, Sutton Coldfield
Thank you so much for your lovely service for Don this morning. I could not have asked for anything finer.
Without exception everyone commented on what a beautiful service it was and the fact that they could hear every word which, bearing in mind the age of most people, is some compliment!! You made something I was really dreading so easy.
I cannot thank you enough for helping to make today so memorable in so many lovely ways.
Kind regards, Wendy
Civil Celebrant, Birmingham
I just wanted to thank you for the way you celebrated dad’s life this morning. I know I would not have been able to get a word out if I had tried. Mum was really pleased with how the service went, which was the main thing, but everyone said how good it was and how appropriate for dad.
None of us were entirely sure what we were doing when we were trying to put the order of service together, but you led the service with a confidence and sensitivity that did dad proud and left everyone in attendance feeling he was sent off properly, and that’s everything we could have asked for.
Kind regards
Chris
Funeral Officiant, West Midlands
We would just like to say thank you from all of our family for the wonderful Eulogy tribute you presented for our Mom’s funeral at the Sutton Coldfield Crematorium back in February this year. It was as if you personally knew her when you spoke in detail about her life. Your sincerity, warmth, passion and personality was exceptional. you made it perfect in every way and gave Mom the send off she truly deserved. It was a true celebration of Moms life and we couldn’t have asked for anything more! A heartfelt thank you Ruth
from Lee, Kristan and all of the family xx
Alternative Funeral Celebrant, West Midlands
Hi Ruth,
Words cannot express how I felt about your service. You did our Bob proud. He had the best send-off that you could imagine. I cannot thank you enough.
Bev Brittain
Funeral Celebrant, Birmingham
Dear Ruth,
I just wanted to write to thank you for the way in which you helped with the funeral for Sandra yesterday. There were many comments about your kind and thoughtful words, you made it so personal that some even asked me if you were actually her friend.
I felt confident because you were in control, and this helped me through the day.
If anyone should ask me if I know of a celebrant........I will tell them there is only one name on the list!
Many thanks,
Steve Carrico and family.
Civil Celebrant, Birmingham
Dear Ruth,
would just like to thank you for a beautiful service you provided for Avril, you struck just the right note with the eulogy which described Avril and her life and painted a picture of her that was so true.
Many of the people who attended commented on what a lovely service it was and how it described Avril perfectly.
I would like to thank you for making a very bad day more bearable
Best Regards,
Derek Hoult
Funeral Officiant, West Midlands
Hi Ruth
I just wanted to send you my thanks for such a lovely service yesterday. You presented mother’s eulogy so beautifully, and both Deb and I were so happy with the way everything went (and I think Mother would have approved too!) The end of a chapter but with so many memories to keep us all going.
Thank you again for being part of our special day.
Best wishes
Romola
Civil Celebrant, West Midlands
Hi Ruth
I can’t thank you enough on your delivery today you absolutely nailed it !!!
Everyone thought how brilliant mum’s life was and thought it was the best they have ever heard and that was down to you so again thank you and hope we meet again someday.
Joseph Mills xx
Birmingham Celebrant
Dear Ruth,
Just a note to thank you for putting together such a sympathetic and agreeable memorial to George from my disjointed ramblings.
My mother was reassured and even amused by it, which is what we all wanted. We very much appreciated not only the content but your way of presenting it.
Thanks from all of us - Georgina
Celebrant Lichfield
Hi Ruth, I hope you are well. I just wanted to say thank you very much from me and all the family for the lovely reading you gave at Nan's Funeral on Monday. It made a difficult, very sad day so much easier for us all to hear how you talked about Nan's life in so much detail and how you made her personality and zest for life come across to everyone in your reading. All relatives and friends we talked to afterwards commented on what a lovely service it had been and how it celebrated Nan's long and very full life.
Once again many thanks Ruth.
With warmest regards from us all, Julie xx
Officiant Birmingham
Hello Ruth
I am sorry I haven’t been in touch before now, you know what its like with having a lot of visitors. All Gone now. I have to get back in 'the Mode'.
I just want to say a massive thank you to you for all you did for James Service, I can’t tell you how many comments we had, saying how nice, relaxed and personal you made it.
It was a very difficult day but you still managed to get a smile on peoples faces, and that is how James would have wanted it. You provide an amazing service.
Best Regards to you for 2018, Amanda and family.
Celebrant Funeral Services
Hi Ruth
Firstly I must apologise for taking so long to contact you after my Mother’s service. I have no excuse but to say we are all still finding the loss of our Mum very hard.
I would like to thank you very much for the way you conducted the service at Mum’s funeral. If it can be said under these circumstances, the service was lovely. You made the service so very personal and reverent. We were all very pleased and couldn’t have asked for any more. A huge thank you and hug from us all.
Kind regards, Melanie Townsend.
Funeral Celebrant Sutton Coldfield
Hi Ruth,
I just wanted to say thank you very much from me and all the family for the lovely reading you gave at Nan's Funeral on Monday.
It made a difficult, very sad day so much easier for us all to hear how you talked about Nan's life in so much detail and how you made her personality and zest for life come across to everyone in your reading.
All relatives and friends we talked to afterwards commented on what a lovely Service it had been and how it celebrated Nan's long and very full life. Once again many thanks Ruth.
With warmest regards from us all, Julie xx
Celebrant Birmingham
A special thank-you to you for the wonderful service you performed for Mom yesterday. It was perfect. Every one commented that is was a joyous celebration that summed Mom up exactly. One of Moms friends said it was the nicest funeral service she had ever attended. We, as a family, felt it was the perfect send off and were heartened by all the lovely words and sentiments.
Thank-you once again
With Best Wishes from Jane, Neil, Joshua, Lily and family Xx
Funeral Celebrant Sutton Coldfield
Firstly, apologies for not being in touch sooner but recent days have just flown past as we attempt to get back to some sort of normality and try to catch up on everything put on hold over these past few weeks.
Kate and I just wanted to send you a huge thank you for everything you did for mum's service. The care and attention that you put into the whole thing was really touching. We had so many positive comments about how lovely the service was and how it really captured the essence of mum. Everyone told us how much she would have liked it and how fitting a tribute it was to her. People really seemed to appreciate the fact that it was a celebration of her life and how proud we were of her and also how you managed to create something meaningful and respectful but ultimately uplifting.
Knowing that you had everything in hand and would be there on the day to deliver the service for us was such a relief and gave us the strength to get through the difficult days after mum's passing when we had a myriad of arrangements and emotions to cope with . We are so thankful we found you!
Liz, Kate and family.
Birmingham Celebrant Services
Dear Ruth,
Thank you so much for delivering a most fitting, personal and special service in honor of our Mom. You have been so wonderful in helping us to bring all our ideas and thoughts together. The service flowed so smoothly thanks to your lovely transitions. My eldest daughter commented that you have a lovely, soothing, calming voice and another person said that it was as if you had known my Mom. We both found the memorial uplifting and cathartic, it was a true representation of Mom and all that she was. We of course hope that we will not be in need of your services in the future but if this is the case we will most certainly meet again.
Natalie Fisher
Funeral Celebrant West Midlands
I would just like to send my heartfelt thanks for being part of the wonderful service you gave us this afternoon, not just for reading my poem of memories but for all the readings that made the service so special. Chris would have appreciated all that took place and would definitely be pleased it was a bit out of the norm! Thank you once again.
Sue Bond
Personal Reference: Funeral Celebrant West Midlands
Hi Ruth.
It's been almost three months now since we were all preparing for our fathers funeral and it's only recently that I have really had the time to reflect back on that time and that day. I should have got in touch with you well before now, so I do apologise for the delay.
Thank you so very much for all of the time and care you put into helping us to create an absolutely amazing funeral. So many people have written to us or spoken to us saying how wonderful it was. Sometimes they are embarrassed that it was so fab because it's not usually the kind of thing people expect.
They didn't expect that! You absolutely joined all of the dots and fitted everything together beautifully, but you could only do that because you took the time and trouble and care to oversee everything. This enabled you to introduce it and to flow one thing into the next.
You are a fantastic resource, but I'm sure your talents are far greater than funerals alone. So thank you Ruth.
Kind regards, Jean and all of the Hutchison family.
Personal Reference: Funeral Celebrant West Midlands
Dear Ruth,
I just wanted to thank you on behalf of all of my family for your sensitive and uplifting handling of my Mum's memorial service. You were very calm and kind, especially when one of the speakers ignored my instructions and over-ran their timeslot! The whole thing was a fun and fitting tribute to our beloved mum.
Thank you from our hearts.
Many regards, Steve.
Personal Reference: Funeral Celebrant West Midlands
I just wanted to say thank you for all your help in the lead up to my Dad's funeral last Friday and also for leading such a lovely service on the day. Many people remarked after the funeral on how fitting the eulogy was and also on the selection of the poem. Your contribution really was invaluable.
Thank you.
Jack Storry
Personal Reference: Funeral Celebrant West Midlands
I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautifully fitting eulogy that you wrote for dad. It was a tough day but your words at the service helped me to focus attention on the future as well as remembering dad for the great man that he was. You somehow managed to combine the enormity of saying goodbye with a sense of humour and a feeling of optimism. Thank you so very, very much.
Amanda xx
Personal Reference: Funeral Celebrant West Midlands
Your Eulogy to Mum was an amazing tribute. As a family we knew exactly what we didn't want but it's hard to imagine what we did want. With your help and guidance we were able to give Mum the exact send-off she deserved. She would have absolutely loved it. Our service really felt like a true celebration of Mum's life... a perfect day, so thank you.
It is difficult to think you never met Mum, I'm sure you would have got on like a house on fire.....if you could get a word in edgeways!! Many thanks again for your help and support,
Love Stephanie, David, Sarah and Rachael x
Professional Reference: Funeral Celebrant UK
We have enjoyed working with Ruth as a celebrant for a number of funerals. On each occasion she has worked with the family in a genuinely caring and considerate manner. Importantly also for us she has a very open mind and is flexible to working in different ways and environments. She cares about doing her best for the families and is conscientious in putting together the right service and eulogy.
Fran Glover /Carrie Weekes (A Natural Undertaking)
www.anaturalundertaking.co.uk
Personal Reference: Independent Celebrant, West Midlands
Ruth, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for conducting a beautiful service. All the readings you chose were perfect... the eulogy lovely. And the poems you sent ... The ones I chose captured what I wanted to say about Tony. The graveside part of it was particularly so... wonderful.... I was so happy at that.... I thought the elements of it, the religiosity... , your reading, Tony's prose... your committal, the music were perfect.
Gill Collinge
Personal Reference: Civil Celebrant, Birmingham
Ruth, you've crafted a tender and personal script, carefully weaving in friends and family. I couldn't have asked for more for my brother – thank you so much.
Tim Wright
Personal Reference: Independent Celebrant for funerals
Dear Ruth, I wish to thank you for the wonderful service you gave for my husband Richard. The way you had put everything together was so beautiful and as a family we cannot thank you enough. There were a lot of people there who are regular churchgoers and even they commented on what a difference such a personal service made and you read it out so beautifully. It was such a fitting tribute to my wonderful husband. Once again thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Lindsey Taft
Personal Reference: Funeral Celebrant West Midlands
Hello Ruth, Graham, Barry and myself would like to thank you for the way you conducted our mother’s funeral on Tuesday. It was a pity you could not join us after for a drink, although it may have been a little late for you as we were out till after midnight. Hopefully mom was proud of us. It has been a pleasure to meet you and wish you all the best in everything you do.
Kind regards
Carol Burrows
Personal Reference: Ruth Graham Funeral Celebrant
Hi Ruth, We just wanted to send you our grateful thanks for the service yesterday. Mom and my sisters we extremely pleased with everything you said and felt that the service was pitched perfectly. We had many compliments from our guests about the service in general, how dad would have really liked it and how it was a fitting tribute. Also, some guests particularly asked me about you and said that you spoke very personally about dad - they wondered if you had known him.
Lucy Slayter
Personal Reference: West Midlands Celebrant Funeral
Hi Ruth, We have not forgotten you. From the moment we all met at your home we were sure that you were the right person to lead the service. Your contribution was appropriate and much appreciated. Thank you again and we hope that our paths cross in the future, albeit under happier circumstances.
With love from all the family, Michael Sheffield
Personal Reference: Celebrant West Midlands Funeral
Thank you Ruth, you have captured Dad’s life beautifully. Thank you for your time and effort we all thought you did a really nice job and helped us give Dad a good send off.
Paul Kemp
Personal Reference: Funeral
As time goes on and the memories of the day mature, I continually think back to the amazing part you played in sending Mom off. You were fabulous, thank you. It was almost as if you had known my Mom yourself and the way you wove together the threads of her life enabled us to all shed a quiet tear, but also to laugh and truly celebrate her. You reached and touched family and friends alike in a sensitive and caring way, and for that short while as we said goodbye, you brought her to life again in our hearts and minds.
Your diligence, empathy and professionalism shone through in all my dealings with you and was commented on by everyone at the funeral. I shall be forever grateful for your help.
Mike Brampton
Personal Reference: Funeral
Your tribute to my nan brought her alive once more. All the little things you'd encouraged me to remember, skillfully told in the eulogy. She'd had a good life, so it was more laughter than tears and that was down to you.
Thank you.
Gillian.
WEDDINGS/FAMILY SERVICES:
Wedding Celebrant Staffordshire
Hello Ruth, How are you!
I am slowly coming down to earth from the weekend it was such a magical day.
We both wanted to thank you so much for conducting our ceremony, it was full of laughter, tears and love. It was simply amazing. Everyone commented on how relaxed it was, personal and intimate. We couldn't have done it without you...
I feel thank you just doesn't cut it...
Katie and Lee xxx
Celebrant For Weddings Birmingham
Dear Ruth
What a special lady you are. We thought long and hard about which way to go, but in the end choosing a wedding celebrant was the answer – mostly because it was you!
Your humour and warmth created the ideal atmosphere. Your organizational and communication skills kept it all together and we had the best day ever.
Thank you always.
Sarah and Dan
Celebrant Wedding Ceremony, Aldridge
Wow – what a day. We loved everything about it, and your contribution, pulling it all together, was amazing. Thank you for staying on top of things, for keeping it all flowing well and for producing such beautiful words on the day. Happy memories all round.
Becky and Jay
Professional Reference: Wedding Celebrant West Midlands
Ruth is fabulous. Organised, punctual, meticulous attention to detail, and all done with a great sense of humour. She knows the importance of good liaison, and keeping everyone in the loop. And when I need a bilingual celebrant for Italy, she's also first on my list - fantastico!
Susie Richardson, Everything Organised.
www.everythingorganised.com
Personal Reference: Wedding Celebrant Birmingham
We wanted a personal, beautiful day that represented us as people but one that wasn't 'over the top'. The balance was struck perfectly. All our ideas were incorporated, with some lovely unique suggestions from Ruth too. She pulled it all together, and delivered the service beautifully, with warmth and humour. Our day was exceptional, thanks in no part to this amazing lady!
Mark Wilcox/David Whitehead, Lincoln
Professional Reference: Family Celebrant West Midlands
I have known Ruth personally and professionally for many years and always found her extremely willing, organised and professional. From working at wedding industry shows, through to creating lovely ceremonies for our clients, to working on our website - it's always the same polished result.
Catherine Lloyd, Java Safaris
www.java-safaris.com
Celebrant Naming Service, Coventry
Hi Ruth,
Well we have finally managed to unwind and rest fully from an amazing Sunday afternoon, and all three of us wanted to say a big thank you for your hard work which led to its success. From us never doing anything like this before, you managed us and the words so well, we felt you as if you’d been with us through all the times you were talking about at the ceremony. If this was your first Naming Ceremony I’m sure plenty more will come your way as we are very proud of it.
Keep in touch! Paul and Sarah
Naming Service Coventry
Good afternoon Ruth
Thank you so much for the beautiful Naming Ceremony Service on Sunday - so many guests have said the same. Thank you also for making me ( and others) shed tears of happiness, thankfulness and proudness during your reading !
Please feel free to use our appreciation of your professionalism In conducting the service to any prospective families.
Derek Boorman
Personal Reference: Wedding Celebrant Birmingham
We looked at so many celebrants and just knew when we'd found 'the one'. Some were just too 'away with the fairies', others a bit solemn. Ruth made us laugh, 'got us' completely, and was full of ideas and warmth. Once booked, she kept in contact with us, responding to queries straight away. Nothing was left to chance, and everything that was promised was delivered on the day. We definitely made the right choice.
Sheila and Joe McMahon
Personal Reference: Wedding Celebrant
The Perfect Day!
Hi Ruth, I am writing to thank you for being a pivotal part of the best day of my life. The wedding was perfect from beginning to end. My face was sore from grinning all day. You pitched the tone and delivery of the service beautifully and I was so delighted that we had booked you.
Thank you so much for being the best celebrant (and all round personality) that we could have wished for.
Gemma Fernihough
Naming Celebrant, Birmingham
Thanks so much for Sunday, it just worked out so much better than I imagined it! Everyone has complimented us on how much more personal it was than other christenings they have been to. It was great!
On a similar note, the venue asked if you would mind if they had your details to share with people, as they really enjoyed it too, and wanted to recommend you on their website.
It really was brilliant.
Natalie and Jack.
Celtic Handfasting, West Midlands
Hey Ruth .......... you see missing you already!! We are tucked away in our forest retreat, so overwhelmed by the love & joy we shared with everyone over an incredible couple of days!! You have been such an intrinsic part of this joy for which we will always be so grateful!!
Everyone found the way you conducted our ceremony with such genuine warmth & joy just beautiful! Even my gorgeous nephew Tom, who finds the whole concept of marriage abhorrent said & I quote, “all the other wedding ceremonies I have been too have just been filled with shite that no one believes, but yours was real & lovely and Ruth was great” ..... high praise I assure you!! People just loved the handfasting & your Celtic knot was sensational.
So, missus, you are a star who genuinely holds a special place in our hearts. Please please get in touch when you are ready for a visit from your favourite married ladies.
Big hugs, Celia and Jan.