Meaningful goodbyes. Thoughtfully held.
When someone dies, there is so much to navigate.
There are the practical things, of course. But there is also the deeply personal task of saying goodbye: finding the right words, bringing the right people together, creating something that feels true and making sure the details reflect the person you have lost.
That is where I come in.
I'm Lisa. I'm a celebrant, storyteller and experienced event producer. More than anything, I'm someone who cares deeply about people.
Your story. Your goodbye. Your way.
There is no right way to say goodbye.
For some families, that might mean a simple, beautiful funeral ceremony which is personal, thoughtful and focused entirely on the person who has died.
For others, the ceremony is just one part of something bigger.
I can help with the detail around a farewell, including:
Creating and conducting a personal funeral or memorial ceremony.
Writing and shaping the words and structure of the service.
Creating an order of service.
Selecting music, readings, photographs and personal tributes.
Helping family and friends contribute in meaningful ways.
Finding and coordinating a venue.
Planning a meal or gathering after the funeral.
Creating a memorial or celebration of life at a later date.
You can involve me as much or as little as you need. There is no package or formula. We start with you.
Listening comes first
My starting point is always conversation.
You don't need to arrive knowing what you want. You may have a very clear idea of the kind of farewell you would like. Or you may feel completely overwhelmed and not know where to begin. Both are fine.
My job isn't to impose a version of someone's life. It is to listen carefully enough to help you tell theirs.
A little about me.
I have spent more than 25 years producing events and bringing people together, and I understand how much the details matter. I understand beginnings, middles and endings.
Life Etc grew from my own experience of losing my father and our family suddenly navigating the bewildering process of arranging his funeral and saying goodbye.
I know what it is like to be grieving while simultaneously having to make decisions.
I don't pretend to have all the answers. What I can offer is my full attention, my experience, my creativity and my care.
Hear my voice.
Voices matter - the pace, warmth and cadence of a voice can carry a story in a way that words on a page simply can't. Have a listen and see how it feels.
Working alongside your funeral director.
Life Etc is not a funeral director.
Your funeral director will take care of the essential legal and practical arrangements around the person who has died, including transportation, care of the deceased and the necessary paperwork.
I work alongside them, focusing on the human side of things: the ceremony, the story, the people and everything that helps you create a meaningful goodbye.
Fees
A funeral ceremony with me is £230.
That includes getting to know the person who has died, preparing the ceremony with you, writing it and conducting it on the day.
Every family is different, so there's no set package. To give you a sense of the scale, additional work might range from around £250 to £750+, depending on what you'd like to create.
Venue hire, catering, performers and other external costs may be additional, depending on the arrangements.
We can talk through what feels right for you, and I'll give you a clear idea of the cost before we begin. There's never any expectation to add anything. The ceremony itself can be beautifully simple.
What happens next?
You don't need to have everything worked out before you contact me.
We can simply talk.
I'll listen to what has happened, hear a little about the person you've lost and understand what you are facing. From there, we can work out together what would be helpful.
There is no pressure and no expectation.
Just a conversation.