Meet Barbara Hercliffe: Your Personal Celebrant
My name is Barbara and I live in the beautiful county of Suffolk . I have two sons and five grandchildren. I love to spend time with them at the beach or walking in the forest and we are very lucky to have the best of both world's where we live.
I enjoy reading, gardening and cooking, and am particularly fond of warm sunshine, holidays and music.
It's important to find the right celebrant for you, someone who will listen to you, get to know you, understand you and then to write and deliver a ceremony that is just for you. My work and life experience provides me with the expertise and professionalism to work with you to create and officiate at the ceremony that you want
Creating Meaningful Ceremonies with Love and Empathy
I cover Suffolk and South Norfolk to provide a personalised service for funerals, interment of ashes, memorial ceremonies and living funerals.
I will help you to plan a meaningful farewell for you or your loved one, ensuring that life is honoured in the most heartfelt way. As your chosen celebrant, I will meet with you and together we will plan a funeral ceremony that celebrates and reflects the life of your loved one. I will create an individual service that represents their values and beliefs and will officiate the service to remember, honour and celebrate their life.
I also offer a personalised service for weddings, commitment ceremonies, vow renewals, celebrations of love and naming ceremonies.
As your celebrant, I will get to know you and I will create a bespoke, meaningful ceremony that isn't religious but can incorporate religious or spiritual elements if you wish. You will have complete and creative freedom to make your day special, and I will write the ceremony with only you in mind, based on your love story and officiate on your special day
Let’s create something meaningful together.
Naming Ceremonies
A beautiful way for the family and often wider social circle and community to welcome the child and celebrate their arrival.
They also help to give the child a sense of belonging and identity, which is also of particular value for older adopted children.
Celebrating a new identity and gender is a wonderful rite of passage that can be fully celebrated with a re-naming ceremony. As you embrace your new identity and live authentically in your rightful gender, we can celebrate this longed-for moment with a wonderful ceremony with friends and family.
Weddings, Civil Partnerships and Vow Renewals
Celebrate your love story with a ceremony that reflects your unique journey, filled with personal touches and heartfelt vows.
Reaffirm your commitment and love with a Vow Renewal ceremony that honours the path you’ve walked together, celebrating your enduring bond.
Each ceremony is a unique reflection of your love story. I work closely with you to weave personal stories, meaningful traditions, and your shared vision into a ceremony that is exactly how you want it - intimate, personal and incredibly special.
Funeral and Memorial Services
I will meet with you to learn about your loved one to help me create a personalised service with them in mind
The content of the funeral ceremony or celebration of life can include readings, poems and music and because there is no restriction on religion if you would like a prayer or to sing a hymn this can also be included. Together, we will remember and celebrate the life of your loved one with dignity, respect and meaning and offer comfort to those who remain.
Each and every service I take is a privilege and an honour.
Living Funerals
Living funerals are typically held when a person is coming to the end of their life or has received a terminal diagnosis. They provide an opportunity for the individual to participate in their own memorial; to reflect on and celebrate their life; share meaningful moments with loved ones and to say goodbye in a way that reflects their values.
The focus of living funerals is on celebrating life, cherishing relationships and creating meaningful experiences. During a living funeral others have the opportunity to express their love and gratitude directly to their loved one, and allows the individual to hear and witness the impact they have had on the lives of others.