70 By the Dart • Sarah Chapman ‘There was a celebrant conducting the day and I was so
impressed by how he put everything together and made the experience such a personal one. ‘I spoke to him afterwards and realised the role could
bring together my years of public speaking, drama and music. That moment was a real catalyst for change and I set about my training.’ Sarah then gained a diploma in celebrancy with Civil Cere- monies Ltd in Cambridge and later another diploma specific to funerals. she has conducted nearly 300 funerals since. she said: ‘At this most difficult time in people’s lives the
role of the celebrant can really come to the fore. ‘When I meet people for the first time, after their loved one has died, they are often stilted and anxious. I’ve looked through many CD collections with widows and widowers, recalling memories and holding people’s hands. ‘After a while we’re often laughing and joking and
recalling happy times spent with the deceased. The process can help people come to terms with grief and enable it to become an everyday subject. ‘I love it when, after a funeral, people say ‘did you know
him?’ as the ceremony was so personal. Such a ceremony spurs people on to talk and share memories.’ Sarah has also conducted ‘living funerals’. she said: ‘A terminally ill lady in her 60s contacted me because she wanted a ‘living funeral’ or ‘celebration of life’ to say goodbye to friends and family. Her family was a little unsure at first but in the end they were over the moon. ‘We had a slideshow of her life set to her favourite music, her most treasured objects on display, favourite food and a
champagne toast with all her loved ones present. ‘She wrote about her life and read it out to everyone.
When I conducted her funeral three weeks later, we could all recall what we’d done at the celebration of her life and I read out the piece she had written as her eulogy.’ sarah moved from Cornwall to Totnes in 1994 with her
three children to attend Dartington College of Arts. She has maintained links to the college, conducting weddings in the Private Garden and funerals at the Upper Gatehouse at Dartington Hall. She was Head of Drama at Stover School for four years and then spent 11 years teachi
ng music in schools.
Sarah has also conducted and directed choirs and once conducted a choir of passengers for a month on a cruise ship from Sydney to Singapore. Sarah and husband Andy have just returned from her
second trip to Japan. she last went 30 years ago before touring around Australia in a camper van. she said: ‘This time we will be staying in hotels! Andy and
I want to travel a lot more but we also love exploring the South Hams. ‘I loved bringing my children up in this area, with its
fantastic access to the beaches and moor. Everyone is so friendly too. ‘We love going to Dartmouth and go to the music festival
every year, and also the food festival and Flavel. ‘Nothing beats eating breakfast at Alf Resco’s, walking along the coast path, and then patisseries at Saveurs.’ For more information see
www.celebrationceremoniessouthwest.com•
Learn techniques of mindfulness to help you in daily life
Sharpham House, Ashprington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 7UT SharphamTrust
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