Grand Goodbyes - Humanist Funeral Celebrant for Celebrations of Life Ceremonies Harrogate

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Reviews

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  Mark Ringrose

  Rachael provided the ceremony for our Daughter- something that no parent would would ever wish to have to organise. However, Rachael made the whole process as healing as possible. Most of the other guests (I am not sure that is the right word) just assumed that Rachael had known Laura, because she got everything so spot on. Rachael was kind and considerate throughout. She went the extra mile- even by finding a purple outfit to wear (Laura's favourite colour).

  28-12-2022
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  Neal Hayes

  We were privileged to have Rachael as the humanist celebrant at my dad's funeral recently. We already knew Rachael from the absolutely stellar job she did at my wedding earlier in the year. No sooner had we come to terms with the sad reality of the sudden and cruel passing of a close family member, mine, my wife's and my mum's thoughts turned to having Rachael coming to provide her services for my dad's final goodbye. Although not her usual patch, Rachael agreed to come all the way across the Pennines especially to help us at our genuine time of need. We will forever be indebted to her for her compassion and support towards me and my family. Rachael had already proven herself to be a wonderful human being at our wedding, but she really did go the extra mile (literally and figuratively) for my dad. As Rachael conducted the ceremony to celebrate my dad's life, mourners laughed, cried and clapped in what was a truly fitting and incredible send off for my old man, conveying unequivocally the wonder and greatness with which he lived his life. In the nicest possible way I hope we don't need to use your services again for a very long time! However, rest assured when we do or anyone we know who needs help at the most difficult time of their lives, we will be sure to pass on your details. We couldn't have done this without you.

  28-11-2022
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  Nick Smith

  Our whole family were absolutely delighted with the wonderful ceremony given by Rachael at my Mum's funeral. All those who attended were so complimentary about how lovely the service was, some even joked that they will be booking her for their own funeral! Rachael did my Mum proud on that day and anyone looking for a recommendation for a humanist funeral celebrant need look no further. A huge thank you Rachael from all the Smith family.

  28-10-2022
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  Helen Sutcliffe

  Thank you so much Rachael for the beautiful ceremony you provided recently to mark and celebrate the life of my mother. Everything ran like clockwork and we really felt that you knew our mother personally, although we only spent little over an hour telling you about her and her life. The introduction was welcoming and the eulogy was read with such feeling, bringing warmth and humour to what could have been a solemn occasion. Your closing words were perfect, as was the lovely poem. The family are all so grateful for way the ceremony went and we received so many compliments from our guests, most of whom had known Mum for many years. We can't recommend Rachael enough to anyone planning a humanist ceremony to celebrate the life of their loved ones. Thank you again Rachael

  28-10-2022
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  Benjamin Kempley

  Rachael is absolutely wonderful. A family member of ours passed away too young and it was therefore incredibly important that we made the funeral perfect. We chose Rachael because she had a brilliant reputation in our area. From the get-go, she was absolutely incredible. She came to visit our family to discuss ideas and get to know us. She did video and photograph editing on our behalf for the presentation. She wrote two scripts - one for the crematorium, one for a celebration of life thereafter. She offered ideas, creativity and kindness. She worked extremely hard (sometimes day and night!) She presented in front of 300+ people at Rudding Park. She has an absolutely incredible voice and hit the nail on the head in terms of tone and timing. She had the audience crying and laughing in equal measure. In truth, she made it the perfect day and for that I am extremely grateful. I couldn't recommend her more!

  28-10-2022
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  Carol Pettifar

  Thank you so much Rachael for your beautifully written script and read in such a way that some guests thought you must have known Dave personally. Three hours on zoom listening and writing (my goodness, I felt exhausted!) as we fed you with information about Dave....and then condensed into 40 amazing minutes! Everybody I spoke to said it was the best funeral they had ever been to. A sad time was made into a joyous occasion. Your compassion and professionalism throughout the process...we could not have wished for better!

  28-05-2022
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  Michael Briggs

  It is difficult to describe how good Rachael is, both in gathering the information about my brother and then presenting it at the funeral in such a professional manner . Nothing was too much trouble for her and I am so glad that she was recommended to us. I have already booked her for my funeral, hopefully it will be sometime before that occurs! She received numerous letters and emails from all our family with additional tales of my Dad, which Rachael somehow expertly managed to squeeze in, to what turned out to be the most accurate and beautifully written Eulogy of him. On the day of the funeral Rachael read out my Dad's script and eulogy with kindness and compassion, to our small gathering of close family. It really was comforting reliving fond memories and happier times and ultimately helped to give us all some much needed closure. Her creative writing, great command of the English language, along with her professionalism and caring from start to finish, will always be remembered by myself and my family. Thanks again Rachel for helping us give my Dad the best send off we could have hoped for through such crazy times."

  28-05-2022
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  Brendan Hughes

  Such difficult times we are all experiencing throughout 2020. Thankfully the important process of mourning my Dad was greatly eased for all our family by finding Rachael at Grand Goodbyes through a friend's recommendation. From our first zoom call Rachael very clearly showed caring, empathy and genuinely took the time to learn as much about my Dad's character and all his many exploits. She received numerous letters and emails from all our family with additional tales of my Dad, which Rachael somehow expertly managed to squeeze in, to what turned out to be the most accurate and beautifully written Eulogy of him. On the day of the funeral Rachael read out my Dad's Eulogy with kindness and compassion, to our small gathering of close family. It really was comforting reliving fond memories and happier times and ultimately helped to give us all some much needed closure. Her creative writing, great command of the English language, along with her professionalism and caring from start to finish, will always be remembered by myself and my family. Thanks again Rachael for helping us give my Dad the best send off we could have hoped for through such crazy times.

  28-05-2021
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  George Hickman

  Following the devastating loss of my wife, Rachael made the Celebration of Life memorial service as smooth as possible with her understanding, calmness and warmth. Rachael was able to effortlessly extract my wife's life story from the family and delivered this beautifully enabling everyone to remember my wife with happiness, fondness and joy. I highly recommend Rachael of Grand Goodbyes and thank her for making what was a very difficult day so much more manageable.

  28-05-2021
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  Dave Eastham

  I lost my wife, Amy, earlier this month following a short and devastating battle with cancer. Despite all the challenges that the COVID restrictions imposed Rachael was able to bring out Amy's whole life story so that it could be celebrated fully during her memorial service. Our three young children felt totally at ease talking to Rachael about their memories of their mum and both myself and Amy's mum got all the support we needed to talk about Amy - her life and the person she was. Thank you so much Rachael - you have really made such a huge difference: bringing much-needed light in a time of darkness. I could not recommend Grand Goodbyes highly enough.

  28-05-2021