I’m Libby Curley
A Funeral Celebrant
in North London & Hertfordshire
After 10 years helping some of the UK’s biggest brands market their products, I wanted to find a way to be of use and work with people one-to-one.
I qualified in 2017 and have been a funeral celebrant ever since … and I love my job. I know that may sound like a strange thing to say, but it is true.
I offer the families I work with gentle guidance at a time when they may feel overwhelmed; and a friendly face and steady heart on what may be one of the hardest days of their lives.
I am happy to include some religious elements where relevant – I am not a priest or religious leader of any kind, but I am happy to sing a hymn or say a prayer with you all.
What I do
© Benjamin Howell Photography
I create and conduct funeral ceremonies and memorials. These can be conducted anywhere.
In a crematorium
Many non-religious funeral services are held in a crematorium chapel. We tend to have around 30 minutes, but it may be possible to book additional time if you would like a longer service, or if setting-up time is needed. The time booked in the chapel is yours to use as you wish. We can include your choice of recorded or live music, and audio clips of friends or family who are unable to attend in person. Most crematoria are able to play photo slideshows and family videos, and also offer a webcast facility.
The spoken parts of the service may be delivered by a mixture of family, friends and myself, or I will speak on your behalf throughout, if you prefer.
Together we will create a ceremony that really reflects and celebrates your loved one.
By graveside
Burials, interment and scattering of ashes all happen out under the big blue sky … come rain, gale, snow or shine!
Some cemeteries have a burial chapel where we hold a short ceremony before moving to the graveside for the committal. In others, the entire ceremony is outside. We can still celebrate the life and have speakers and readings, and make it a warm and tender farewell.
From a technological point of view we are slightly more limited but we can play music via a portable speaker, or have live music.
A memorial ceremony
Often referred to as a ‘Celebration of Life’ and held in a hotel, hall, gardens or home.
With direct cremations on the rise, memorials are becoming more popular. These are very similar to a funeral ceremony, only the coffin is not present. We still celebrate the life of the person who has died, share stories and make sure we fill the room, and the memory of that person, with love … just in a different setting!
‘Living Memorial Ceremonies’ are exactly the same but are planned by, or for, a loved one who may be terminally ill and who would like to be present and share in the celebration of their life.
Pre-planned funerals
These are ceremonies that I plan with the person who is dying. They have full control of what will be said at their ceremony, either because they have a clear vision of what they’d like or to take the organisation of their ceremony off the plates of their relatives. The ceremony itself can take place either after the person has died, or while they are still alive, so they can be at the very heart of the celebration of their life.
Traditional or utterly unique
Whether it is a funeral or memorial, the ceremony can take whatever form and include whatever content you like. We have a space for a set period of time – perhaps half an hour, perhaps longer – and (within the bounds of health and safety!) we can do whatever feels right to mark the life of your loved one. It may be me standing before you sharing stories of their life … it may include a live ballet pas de deux … it may be a mass paper airplane launch (as in the photograph above), or it may be a group of family and friends planting a memorial garden over a cup of tea.
Whatever form it takes, I can write and deliver the ceremony that is at the heart of the occasion; that ensures everyone leaves in full certainty that your loved one’s life has been marked and celebrated with respect and love.
That being said, I understand that ‘we can do anything you’d like’ is an utterly overwhelming statement! So, my job is to hear all about your loved one and your family and guide you through the process of creating a ceremony that is just right for you all.
How I work
I will meet with you
… and talk you through absolutely everything you will need to consider ahead of the day. I can explain all the options available, give you guidance and recommendation (where you would like some) and, once I have learned about your loved one, I can make suggestions to help to make sure we get it all just right!
We will spend as much time together as necessary so I can come away from our meeting with all the information I need to get everything organised (from music and media, to mementos).
If you live far away or there are lots of family members who want to be part of planning the day we can meet via video call or Zoom too.
Shape & write the ceremony
Once we have met and decided on what we would like to include I will help to coordinate all of the content (some may be written or provided by family and friends and some I will write for you).
I write every ceremony from scratch and send you a full copy in plenty of time to make any changes needed.
I will work with you as closely (or remotely) as you like. This way, when we all come together on the day, everyone feels comfortable and at ease, and you can leave the rest to me.
And be waiting for you on the day
I will arrive early to set up, sound check and make sure everything is in order.
I will be waiting for you when you arrive to talk through any last questions and brief guests who are going to speak.
I will make sure everything runs smoothly so you can concentrate on being with your family and friends and saying your farewells.
I hold a NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy, and NOCN Level 4 Awards in Creating & Delivering Funeral Tributes (Advanced Practice) and Creating & Conducting Child and Baby Funerals (Advanced Practice).
I co-wrote the NOCN Level 4 Advanced Delivery Skills coursework and conduct all the associated Advanced Vocal and Delivery training sessions for qualifying celebrants.
I am a full member of the Institute of Civil Funerals, operate to their Code of Practice, am subject to their quality control and professional development program and have full Public Liability Insurance.
Fees
My fee includes our meeting, logistics advice and content recommendation, writing of the ceremony and amendments, delivery on the day and all liaison with your funeral director.
My travel time and expenses within North London and parts of Hertfordshire are included within my fees. I am happy to consider travelling further afield; this would incur additional travel expenses.
As every ceremony is different the amount of time needed varies. But as a rule of thumb my prices start from £285. Once we’ve had a chat and I understand your requirements I can advise further.
Testimonials
“My Mother and I are sincerely grateful for all the work Libby put into preparing the funeral ceremony for my father. We were impressed by how during her initial visit to our house, Libby invested much time and attention in getting to know my father so that she could personalise her service. The introduction she wrote was both original and thoughtful.
Also important is the fact that Libby managed to make the funeral arrangements a lot less stressful for us. Before being introduced to Libby I was unaware of the role or even existence of a celebrant, indeed I was worrying about how best to manage a roomful of people surrounding a coffin. I can’t help but wonder how would we have managed without her.
The manner in which Libby managed the ceremony both within the chapel and at the graveside was both beautiful and dignified.
We both believe she is very talented and despite the circumstances it was a pleasure working with her.”
“Libby was incredible. She offered to come and see us in the house we were staying at to interview us about Mummy. We expected she might be there an hour max. She stayed 2.5 hrs gleaning as much information as she could about Sheila. She then sent lots of emails back and forth asking us to agree or not with what she was going to say. She was so extremely thorough and caring.
When the time came for the service she did an exceptional job. It was as if she had known Mummy herself, it was just SO perfect and loving. Everyone at the service felt the same way and many wanted to hug her afterwards.
I feel really blessed that we had Libby as our Celebrant for Mummy's service. Can’t think that anyone would have been better or more caring. She’s a star!”
“Dear Libby,
Firstly, it was a pleasure to meet you in person under sad circumstances on Wednesday 16th December, 2020, but I wanted to say your sincere service for the Ellis family was beyond first class. What a great job that you did and I totally commend you. It was so amazing despite a cathartic experience, it was soothing, kind in words, expressive, bringing back memories of our beloved family and loved ones. Your articulation was amazing, so thank you so much as it brought comfort, a little laughter, and beautiful memories to behold for my husband Mark, my mum and sister in law and all of the family.
You did a fantastic job. “
“Dear Libby,
Thank you from the heart for your fantastic presence and speeches yesterday, which all made the whole event a truly wonderful experience for Rocky’s friends to cherish. I’m very grateful that we got so lucky having you chosen by the Gods to guide us through this special happening, we’d have been lost without your help!
Thought you’d like to hear also how much other people enjoyed yesterday thanks to your perfect guidance & talks throughout the service.
Take care, & keep doing the amazing job you do so well!
With Lots of love & huge gratitude”
“Thank you so much for conducting Eve's funeral yesterday. It made such a huge difference to us all - we'd all been to funerals where it seems like a production line and totally impersonal. Our day ended up on quite a joyful note and that's down to the way you ‘got’ her life and character. Thanks for taking so much time and effort to get it right. We all appreciated your work very much.”
“Thank you, you did a perfect job, giving us just the right amount of support and direction. We are very grateful to you indeed and you are in our hearts forever!”