How to grieve someone you had a complicated relationship with

Grief is often seen as something that is intrinsically connected with love. However, to some people, grief does not equal love. How do you grieve someone you didn’t like? In the below I’ll share some thoughts on how this may affect your grief and what to say or do at a funeral for someone you[…]

Coffin decorated with flowers and photo

I couldn’t attend my friend’s funeral. This is how I remembered him.

This summer marks the first death anniversary of my dear friend Christian, who died in August 2021. Covid travel restrictions were still in place and I did not attend his funeral. I was concerned that I could not say my farewells properly and felt awful about not going. However, I found meaningful ways to mourn[…]

Cherry Blossom (C) London based funeral celebrant Rosalie Kuyvenhoven

The Goodbye-box: a playful way to help children grieve

Children grieve too but they do this differently than adults. Unlike adults, children have a limited ability to express their feelings, thoughts and memories verbally. Alternatively, play can be an effective and safe way for them to give messages on how they feel. Bonnie Jansen, who teaches at a primary school in the Netherlands and has[…]

Is taking children to a funeral a good idea?

“I am not sure if I should take my children to the funeral. What do you think?” Can I take my child to a funeral? It’s a question parents often ask me as a funeral celebrant. If prepared well, attending a funeral can be a healthy, healing and positive experience for children. The following feedback from a[…]

How to grieve an invisible loss: 5 rituals for miscarriage

More than one in five pregnancies in the UK ends in a miscarriage. That’s about a quarter of a million each year. And yet, pregnancy and baby loss is not often openly talked about. Many people are not sure how to respond to bereaved parents who are grieving an invisible loss. This article suggest five[…]

The future of funerals: what the UK funeral industry can learn from the Dutch

A few weeks ago, I went on a funeral field trip to The Netherlands. I was curious to learn more about the funeral practices in my home country. The Dutch are well known for the relaxed, personal and innovative way of dealing with their dead. What can de UK funeral world learn from their neighbours?[…]