How did it begin? 
​Living Funerals Services or ‘The Best Celebration of Life’ came about during a conversation between Peter Wyllie and Eugene Matthias, both members of The Fellowship of Professional Celebrants.

Eugene mentioned how he had heard family members say “If only I had told them I loved them” or “the biggest regret I will have for the rest of my life, is not having said". 

Peter told Eugene he had done a Living Funeral, which gave family and friends the opportunity to say what they wanted to say. After many discussions and lots of research online, it soon became apparent there is a growing interest in ‘living funeral’ or goodbye 'Celebration's of Life' BEFORE a death occurs.

Funerals have traditionally been sombre events, that occur after a person has died. An event for surviving family and friends to pay their last respects. They tend to be more about what the living (surviving family) want, rather than what the deceased would have preferred.

We offer clients a pre-funeral Celebration of Life, giving everyone the opportunity to say their goodbyes. Family and friends come together to enjoy and celebrate a life with wonderful memories, stories, photos, music and food.

The internet has shown:-
  • The funeral industry is changing, moving away from an era of tradition and having to embrace change.
  • Baby boomers are beginning to make their own funeral plans.
  • Children are helping to plan the funerals of their parents before they die.
  • As generations have moved forward there is a different attitude to funerals.
  • Religion is potentially diminishing with many families opting for personalised rituals.
  • Most importantly the internet shows an increasing trend towards pre death 'Celebration of Life'.​

Why would someone choose to hold a living funeral?
A Living Funeral is typically for a person who is elderly, or terminally ill, with knowledge that their death is approaching. It gives them an opportunity to say goodbye to those they love before they pass.

What format does a living funeral take?
A living funeral can take any format, it is generally organised as a social gathering for families and friends, and does not have to be formal, or take place in a ‘usual’ funeral location.  It can be held in any location and be as creative as the family or person wants.

Links to Living Funerals on the internet:
Benefits of a Living Funeral
There are many benefits, advocates extol the virtues of a 'Celebration of Life' for both the person who the celebration is for and those who attend, including:
  • It helps make coming to terms with death easier for those left behind.
  • Brings family and friends together, enabling help and support for each other.
  • Everyone has an opportunity to say their good-byes.
  • It gives an opportunity for affairs to be put in order before dying.
  • A will can be read out and reasons why decisions were made, preventing disputes at a later date.
  • Having had the celebration it brings a completely different feeling of joy on the day of the funeral.
  • It is a happy occasion for everyone to enjoy, engage and remember for the rest of their lives.
How does it work?
We have developed an Living Funeral Celebrant programme which once trained is easy to use and allows you to guide families through the process of planning a Living Funeral or 'Celebration of Life'.
  • The programme enables you to work through the planning process with the family.
  • You start by setting up an online family area which brings family and friends together.
  • Using the programme you will enable families to collate stories and photos from the past.
  • At each stage, the programme has guidance and advise which you will be delivering.
  • Finally, you will deliver the 'Celebration of Life', a sort of This is Your Life (normally weekends).​
How Will You Benefit
  • We have developed a complete marketing programme with online software to make life easier. 
  • ​ An opportunity for you to increase your income at a time when you would not normally be working.
  • You will be pro-active locally in your area and not dependent on FD’s to give you work.
  • You will build strong relationship with FD's, as you will be passing work in their direction. 
  • If you host a ‘Living Funeral’ you will also be conducting the funeral service at a later date.
  • Earn extra income from the production of Order of Services, with our easy to use online software. 
  • Also earn income from our online 'Family Legacy Book' software.   
What About Training?
  • The training programme lasts for 2 days and is headed up by Peter Wyllie.
  • Training will start in July/Aug 2019 at 3 locations around the country.
  • Numbers limited to 12 Celebrants (Max 36 for 2019) on each course. 

Please note:-
  1) Associate's are appointed on a 1st come - 1st served basis, with only one in each town. 
  2) This opportunity is being offered first to members of The Fellowship of Professional Celebrants.
  3) You will be fully trained on how to market Living Funerals services locally.
  4) You will be trained on how to put together and deliver the 'Celebration of Life'. 
  5) There is centralised marketing to introduce you to your area. 
  6) Professional marketing handouts.
Training is £795 - Those who start with us this year (2019)
 Get 60% discount - Pay just £318.00 

Training includes fees for our online software, administration and marketing support. 
If you are interested please call 
​Eugene Matthias on 07730 111111 or email:- livingfunerals@gmail.com.