Funerals to Die For – That Won’t Cost the Earth

The Home Funeral Network hosts a day of workshops, films, inspiring stories and informative talks about home funerals. Discover the choices available, connect with professionals, and hear the stories of people who have found their own ways to say goodbye with love. A practical guide to dealing with death, dying and bereavement, through a compassionate, informed, natural approach to deathcare. We look forward to welcoming people from all walks of life.
Through a variety of creative workshops, talks, films, and a thought provoking art exhibition, the HFN is delighted to announce a number of inspiring speakers and contributors during this one day event. The following workshops and talks will offer an insightful, practical approach to death and dying for professionals, individuals and their families.
£55 HFN Members / £60 Non Members - Book – 01903 339150/07717482721 - lyndelune@sky.com

The HFN is a connected and supportive network who are dedicated to empowering families to create the best funerals possible. We are thankful that our treasurer Lyn Baylis is working hard behind the scenes to make our inaugural conference day a hugely successful one.
To book your ticket for Funerals To Die For - That Won't Cost The Earth please email: lyndelune@sky.com
Lyn Baylis is the UK Coordinator for LifeRites a not for Profit organisation which offers Celebrant and End of Life training and has a network of Celebrants and Ministers across the UK. Lyn has been working as a Multifaith Minister for 40 years and is also a Hospital and Hospice Chaplain, an End of Life Transition Guide and Natural Death Educator.
Find out more: http://liferites.org.uk/

Dee Ryding will be introducing our speakers and facilitating a Q & A session with members of the Home Funeral Network who are currently working in their own communities as leading celebrants, funeral directors and home funeral guides.
On the panel will be;
Emma Curtis, Extraordinary Ceremonies - London
Carrie Weekes, A Natural Undertaking - Birmingham
Judith Dandy, Dandelion Farewells - Horsham
Claire Turnham, Only With Love - Oxford
Tora Colwill, The Modern Funeral - Brighton
Dee Ryding, Divine Ceremony - Bristol & Bath
Dee has been part of the Home Funeral Network since its launch last year, as Secretary to the network and its members. Events, talks and workshops are at the heart of HFN’s educational aims, and Dee is delighted to be part of the team hosting the Funerals To Die For event.
Through her work as a Funeral Director and Celebrant covering Bristol and Bath, Dee provides a transparent approach to the funeral process, offering informed choice and a return to the traditional care of our dead. Her company Divine Ceremony launched in 2015.
Find out more: www.divineceremony.org/
On the panel will be;
Emma Curtis, Extraordinary Ceremonies - London
Carrie Weekes, A Natural Undertaking - Birmingham
Judith Dandy, Dandelion Farewells - Horsham
Claire Turnham, Only With Love - Oxford
Tora Colwill, The Modern Funeral - Brighton
Dee Ryding, Divine Ceremony - Bristol & Bath
Dee has been part of the Home Funeral Network since its launch last year, as Secretary to the network and its members. Events, talks and workshops are at the heart of HFN’s educational aims, and Dee is delighted to be part of the team hosting the Funerals To Die For event.
Through her work as a Funeral Director and Celebrant covering Bristol and Bath, Dee provides a transparent approach to the funeral process, offering informed choice and a return to the traditional care of our dead. Her company Divine Ceremony launched in 2015.
Find out more: www.divineceremony.org/

Time to Altar Grief
Time to Altar Grief is a healing altar for everyone, 'whatever you believe in' created by Emma Curtis, Minister 'without religion' and grief specialist.
Bring a picture of someone you miss and create a beautiful memorial card that will become part of an ongoing, secular altar, honouring your loved one in a community memorial. As we place our cards within the growing altar-for-all, our grief is altered.
An altar creates change. As we honour our loss, we feel also the sweetness of our memories. Emotions need motion. The process of creating a memorial and speaking our loved one’s name is precious and healing.
In the words of Terry Pratchett: "A man is not dead while his name is still spoken.”
Find out more: http://www.extraordinaryceremonies.emmacurtis.com

Judith Dandy and Claire Turnham will be sharing their experience of tenderly caring for the body of Dr Andrew Herxheimer with his wife Christine, at a busy London Hospital, before traveling to a natural burial ground together in Hampshire earlier this year. Andrews's beautiful cardboard coffin was painted especially for him by his daughters, Charlotte & Sophie, and grand daughters Lola & Rosa, in the style of their Granny's German trunk.
Judith is a leading independent Funeral Director who is focused on a fresh, flexible, unhurried, families - first approach. Since launching Dandelion Farewells in 2015 she has worked sensitively tailoring her services to individuals and creating highly personalised, meaningful and memorable funerals. In 2016 Judith was recognised for her outstanding dedication and guidance and was awarded Most Promising New Funeral Director Of the Year at the Good Funeral Awards.
Claire is the Oxford based Founder of Only with Love and Chair of the Home Funeral Network. She is dedicated to empowering and guiding families to tenderly take care of their own and can undertake all aspects of a home and family led funeral.Claire is recognised as a leading home funeral guide, independent celebrant and natural deathcare educator. She was awarded Runner Up Green Funeral Director of the Year and Commended for her OWL funeral services at the 2016 Good Funeral Guide Awards. Claire regularly facilitates Death Cafes within Oxfordshire and is an OxBEL volunteer. Find out more: www.dandelionfarewells.com www.onlywithlove.co.uk
Judith is a leading independent Funeral Director who is focused on a fresh, flexible, unhurried, families - first approach. Since launching Dandelion Farewells in 2015 she has worked sensitively tailoring her services to individuals and creating highly personalised, meaningful and memorable funerals. In 2016 Judith was recognised for her outstanding dedication and guidance and was awarded Most Promising New Funeral Director Of the Year at the Good Funeral Awards.
Claire is the Oxford based Founder of Only with Love and Chair of the Home Funeral Network. She is dedicated to empowering and guiding families to tenderly take care of their own and can undertake all aspects of a home and family led funeral.Claire is recognised as a leading home funeral guide, independent celebrant and natural deathcare educator. She was awarded Runner Up Green Funeral Director of the Year and Commended for her OWL funeral services at the 2016 Good Funeral Guide Awards. Claire regularly facilitates Death Cafes within Oxfordshire and is an OxBEL volunteer. Find out more: www.dandelionfarewells.com www.onlywithlove.co.uk

Coffin Decorating with Holly Clarke
Holly Clarke from Holly's Funerals in Kent and The Curve Coffin will be offering us the opportunity to decorate a coffin at Funerals To Die For That Won't Cost The Earth.
Holly is passionate about helping people to feel empowered and supported. She offers a natural, gentle & holistic approach to funeral directing.
The Curve coffin is an eco-friendly, solid wood, hand-made designer coffin suitable for traditional cremation, burial & natural burial. Designed and made in the UK with a range of creative finishes or suitable for home decoration. The Curve comes with a natural calico lining and strong, load-bearing rope handles.
Find out more: www.hollysfunerals.co.uk

Claire Turnham will be sharing beautiful Only With Love stories of home & family led funerals as well as co facilitating a natural care of the body demonstration with Jerrigrace Lyons.
She will also be leading a shroud demonstration and inspiring us with meaningful, affordable and gentle ways to tend to, and honour our dead.
Claire is the Oxford based Founder of Only with Love and Chair of the Home Funeral Network. She is dedicated to empowering and guiding families to tenderly take care of their own and can undertake all aspects of a home and family led funeral.
Claire is recognised as a leading home funeral guide, independent celebrant and natural deathcare educator. She was awarded Runner Up Green Funeral Director of the Year and Commended for her OWL funeral services at the 2016 Good Funeral Awards. Claire regularly facilitates Death Cafes within Oxfordshire and is an OxBEL volunteer.
Find out more: www.onlywithlove.co.uk ; www.finalpassages.org/

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the Founders of the Home Funeral Movement.
Jerrigrace Lyons, Founding Director of the educational non profit organisation, Final Passages is coming to the UK and will be co facilitating workshops in Sussex, Oxford & Devon. She will also be presenting at “Funerals To Die For - That Won’t Cost The Earth”
Based in California and Internationally known as a pioneer and teacher in home funeral guidance and family - led death care services. Jerrigrace is a death midwife, minister, author and educator.
Since 1995 she has supported hundreds of families with their family directed, home funerals, offering choices which address social, environmental, spiritual and financial needs.
Find out more: www.finalpassages.org/

Immortality and all that Jazz.
Dr Ros Taylor MBE is the current National Director for Hospice Care. She is a leading figure in the hospice and palliative care sector with more than 20 years’ experience of both providing and championing quality, person-centred care for terminally ill people and their families.
Dr Taylor has previously noted that:
"The UK’s rapidly increasing ageing population will lead to substantial extra demand for hospice care in the coming decades. Hospices will have a vital role, not only in developing innovative ways to support care, but also in educating and partnering with other organisations and local communities to provide responsive, relevant and kind care.”
We are delighted to welcome her as one of our guest speakers to HFN's inaugural conference day - Funerals To Die For - That Won't Cost The Earth.
Find out more: http://drrostaylor.com/
Dr Ros Taylor MBE is the current National Director for Hospice Care. She is a leading figure in the hospice and palliative care sector with more than 20 years’ experience of both providing and championing quality, person-centred care for terminally ill people and their families.
Dr Taylor has previously noted that:
"The UK’s rapidly increasing ageing population will lead to substantial extra demand for hospice care in the coming decades. Hospices will have a vital role, not only in developing innovative ways to support care, but also in educating and partnering with other organisations and local communities to provide responsive, relevant and kind care.”
We are delighted to welcome her as one of our guest speakers to HFN's inaugural conference day - Funerals To Die For - That Won't Cost The Earth.
Find out more: http://drrostaylor.com/

We are excited Beth Hughes is coming to Funerals To Die For That Wont Cost The Earth.
Beth is a Devon based artist and counsellor specialising in loss. Inspired by nature, she makes Earth Vessels, special, handmade cremation urns from fabric and mixed media artworks.
Beth hopes to help people with their grief by creating these beautiful, unique memorials.
At our event she will be leading a creative memorial session and will be inviting all those who wish to participate to join her.
Find out more: http://earthvessels.co.uk
Beth is a Devon based artist and counsellor specialising in loss. Inspired by nature, she makes Earth Vessels, special, handmade cremation urns from fabric and mixed media artworks.
Beth hopes to help people with their grief by creating these beautiful, unique memorials.
At our event she will be leading a creative memorial session and will be inviting all those who wish to participate to join her.
Find out more: http://earthvessels.co.uk

Coffin Lid Weaving with Cath Pratley
Cath makes beautifully handcrafted willow coffins at home in Dorset. At Funerals To Die For - That Won't Cost The Earth you will have the opportunity to have a go and help Cath Pratley weave a coffin lid made from renewable, natural, Somerset willow. She also makes the very special Viking ships suitable for for cremation ashes. Cath is the 2015 Good Funeral Award Winner for Best Coffin Supplier.
Find out more: www.cradletogravewillowcoffins.co.uk

The award-winning Josefine Speyer will be presenting:
'A Family-Organised Natural Burial' at our our Funerals To Die For - That Won't Cost The Earth event.
Her talk will be about preparing for the funeral after sudden death, creating something beautiful together, that offers an opportunity for healing grief in an otherwise traumatic circumstance.
Josefine was a founder member of The Natural Death Centre.
Find out more: www.naturaldeath.org.uk

As part of HFN's inspiring day we are thrilled to be offering:
Felt Making Workshop with Yuli Somme of Bellacouche (1 hour)
Using raw wool and hands Yuli will guide you through a simple process to create an organic form: a small container or cocoon. She will reveal the original inspiration for this form and how it has influenced her work. All abilities catered for. Places strictly limited.
As a felt maker and crafter, Yuli’s work has taken her into the realms of the Funeral World over the last 16 years, where she has re-invigorated the ancient law of burial in wool. The Leafcocoon is an alternative to a conventional wooden coffin, made of local organic wool and wood. She is a Good Funeral Guide Winner.
For event tickets and to book Yuli's workshop please email lyndelune@sky.com
Find out more: www.bellacouche.com
Felt Making Workshop with Yuli Somme of Bellacouche (1 hour)
Using raw wool and hands Yuli will guide you through a simple process to create an organic form: a small container or cocoon. She will reveal the original inspiration for this form and how it has influenced her work. All abilities catered for. Places strictly limited.
As a felt maker and crafter, Yuli’s work has taken her into the realms of the Funeral World over the last 16 years, where she has re-invigorated the ancient law of burial in wool. The Leafcocoon is an alternative to a conventional wooden coffin, made of local organic wool and wood. She is a Good Funeral Guide Winner.
For event tickets and to book Yuli's workshop please email lyndelune@sky.com
Find out more: www.bellacouche.com

We are honoured Professor Tony Walter will be speaking. His talk is titled
“Is the Funeral Industry fit for purpose?”
"Tony Walter is a sociologist who writes, lectures and consults on death and society, and tutors on a course for funeral celebrants. He is Honorary Professor of Death Studies at the University of Bath’s Centre for Death & Society of which he was the director from 2011-2015.
His books include Funerals – and how to improve them (Hodder 1990), The Revival of Death (Routledge 1994) and On Bereavement (Open University Press 1999). He is currently writing two new books, on Death: Contemporary Challenges (Policy Press), and Death in the Modern World (Sage)."
Find out more: http://www.bath.ac.uk/sps/staff/tony-walter/
“Is the Funeral Industry fit for purpose?”
"Tony Walter is a sociologist who writes, lectures and consults on death and society, and tutors on a course for funeral celebrants. He is Honorary Professor of Death Studies at the University of Bath’s Centre for Death & Society of which he was the director from 2011-2015.
His books include Funerals – and how to improve them (Hodder 1990), The Revival of Death (Routledge 1994) and On Bereavement (Open University Press 1999). He is currently writing two new books, on Death: Contemporary Challenges (Policy Press), and Death in the Modern World (Sage)."
Find out more: http://www.bath.ac.uk/sps/staff/tony-walter/

Come and listen to Soul Midwife and artist, Antonia Rolls - A Graceful Dying - A Graceful Death
Through an exhibition of some of her paintings and an inspiring talk, Antonia will tell us how she is affected by the work she does, what it teaches her, and the stories of the people that she meets. She will be here to share her work with us based on her wealth of personal and professional experiences.
Antonia Rolls works as both an artist and a soul midwife, sometimes at the same time, sometimes separately. Part of being an artist is the joy of expression, and this takes the form of painting, writing, performing and public speaking. Her one woman show - A Graceful Dying, took to the stage at the Brighton fringe earlier this year.
Find out more: http://www.antoniarolls.co.uk
Through an exhibition of some of her paintings and an inspiring talk, Antonia will tell us how she is affected by the work she does, what it teaches her, and the stories of the people that she meets. She will be here to share her work with us based on her wealth of personal and professional experiences.
Antonia Rolls works as both an artist and a soul midwife, sometimes at the same time, sometimes separately. Part of being an artist is the joy of expression, and this takes the form of painting, writing, performing and public speaking. Her one woman show - A Graceful Dying, took to the stage at the Brighton fringe earlier this year.
Find out more: http://www.antoniarolls.co.uk

2016 Modern Funeral Director of The Year, Carrie Weekes - will be presenting a slideshow and talk. " How to create a personal funeral - understanding what is possible."
Carrie Weekes is the co-founder (with Frances Glover) of A Natural Undertaking in Birmingham. As an undertaker she helps families to create beautiful, personal and meaningful funerals which are built around the person who has died. A Natural Undertaking were awarded Green Funeral Director of the Year 2015, are recommended by the Natural Death Centre and Carrie is a founding member of the Home Funeral Network UK. She is also Chair of BrumYODO- a Birmingham wide collective whose aim is to help the people of Birmingham have open and honest conversations about death and dying.
Find out more: www.anaturalundertaking.co.uk
Carrie Weekes is the co-founder (with Frances Glover) of A Natural Undertaking in Birmingham. As an undertaker she helps families to create beautiful, personal and meaningful funerals which are built around the person who has died. A Natural Undertaking were awarded Green Funeral Director of the Year 2015, are recommended by the Natural Death Centre and Carrie is a founding member of the Home Funeral Network UK. She is also Chair of BrumYODO- a Birmingham wide collective whose aim is to help the people of Birmingham have open and honest conversations about death and dying.
Find out more: www.anaturalundertaking.co.uk

ora Colwill will be talking - ‘The Future of Funerals'
A thought-provoking look at death rituals of the past and present, with some musings about how the way we care for our dead might evolve in our modern world.
Tora Colwill is the founder of The Modern Funeral and Brighton Death Forum and is a member of the Home Funeral Network. Tora Colwill established The Modern Funeral in Brighton - a service that puts the family in charge of the funeral - supporting them through the practical and ceremonial aspects of the process. Tora contributes to the broader conversation around death and dying by hosting community events, talks, Q&As and exhibitions.
Find out more: www.themodernfuneral.com/
A thought-provoking look at death rituals of the past and present, with some musings about how the way we care for our dead might evolve in our modern world.
Tora Colwill is the founder of The Modern Funeral and Brighton Death Forum and is a member of the Home Funeral Network. Tora Colwill established The Modern Funeral in Brighton - a service that puts the family in charge of the funeral - supporting them through the practical and ceremonial aspects of the process. Tora contributes to the broader conversation around death and dying by hosting community events, talks, Q&As and exhibitions.
Find out more: www.themodernfuneral.com/

Emma Curtis of Extraordinary Ceremonies will be talking:
'How ceremony can help you get through the pain of grief’ at Funerals To Die For.
Emma Curtis is a minister 'without religion', a celebrant and grief specialist, creating non-religious, secular and spiritual ceremonies, honouring the beliefs of those that she serves.
Honouring the death of a loved one is about remembering all the reasons we love them, and celebrating them, as well as saying 'goodbye'. Expression of our joys and our griefs in ceremony is the way that we integrate our experience. Creating that ceremony, and being able to be truly present at it, is such a vital part of the healing process. Emma believes that every person, and every family is different - completely unique, and through this talk Emma will share her skills, her experiences and thoughts on the purpose of Ceremony, and how to create unique ceremonies appropriate to the needs and wishes of a person who died and serving those who love them.
Find out more: http://www.extraordinaryceremonies.emmacurtis.com
'How ceremony can help you get through the pain of grief’ at Funerals To Die For.
Emma Curtis is a minister 'without religion', a celebrant and grief specialist, creating non-religious, secular and spiritual ceremonies, honouring the beliefs of those that she serves.
Honouring the death of a loved one is about remembering all the reasons we love them, and celebrating them, as well as saying 'goodbye'. Expression of our joys and our griefs in ceremony is the way that we integrate our experience. Creating that ceremony, and being able to be truly present at it, is such a vital part of the healing process. Emma believes that every person, and every family is different - completely unique, and through this talk Emma will share her skills, her experiences and thoughts on the purpose of Ceremony, and how to create unique ceremonies appropriate to the needs and wishes of a person who died and serving those who love them.
Find out more: http://www.extraordinaryceremonies.emmacurtis.com