A funeral with heart.
What a civil funeral celebrant does — and the kinds of ceremony I can create with you.
What is a civil funeral celebrant?
A funeral marks a significant event — the end of a unique life, the loss of a person, the crossing of a threshold. Imagine a singular event, created with care, weaving together the colourful strands of a life, to express the true nature of the person, giving voice to the loss felt by the community of all those who loved them. This is a funeral with heart.
A funeral celebrant brings together various elements to create a personal and memorable funeral that mourns a death both meaningfully and beautifully. This end-of-life celebration is designed to commemorate a life lived and give those present an opportunity to say goodbye.
The ceremony is created after meeting with the family, listening to your wishes and the stories you want to tell. It is always personal — shaped around what matters most to you and the person you are remembering.
The ceremonies I offer
Funeral ceremonies
Held at the crematorium, graveside or your venue of choice. Always personal, always shaped around the life lived — a well-structured, imaginative service that puts your loved one firmly at its heart.
Memorial services
A separate gathering, days, weeks or months after the funeral, to remember and celebrate someone in a way and at a pace that suits you. Often held in a place that meant something to them — a garden, a village hall, a quiet woodland.
Scattering & burial of ashes
A short, quiet, meaningful ceremony to bring people together at the moment of laying ashes to rest. I’ll help shape the words, the music, and any rituals you’d like to mark the occasion.
The purpose of a civil funeral ceremony
A funeral is always going to be a sad occasion, as it is a time to say your last goodbyes, but it need not be a sombre affair. The ceremonies I create are designed to be positive and uplifting, with the focus very much on life, not death, and reflecting on what made your loved one special.
It will also give you a great comfort knowing you have provided exactly the memorial that the deceased would have wanted. I will always meet with the family to gather the necessary information and create the most fitting kind of funeral service. I welcome all ideas and suggestions from as many family and friends as possible, to build a true picture of the deceased.
You may wish for family or friends to participate and give readings, or poems. You may also wish to add specific pieces of music that your loved one may have enjoyed. I would heartily encourage this — it will give a last opportunity to say goodbye in a way that has significance for yourself and all those present.
Held where it feels right
Ceremonies can take place in a wide range of venues — wherever feels most meaningful to you and your family.
Common questions
What does a civil funeral celebrant do?
A civil funeral celebrant works with the family to write and conduct a personal funeral or memorial ceremony — a service shaped entirely around the life of the person who has died. Michael meets with the family, listens to their stories and memories, then writes and leads a ceremony that feels true to that person.
What areas does Michael J Snow cover?
Michael is based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and works with families across Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. He regularly takes ceremonies at Chesterfield, Mansfield, Hutcliffe Wood (Sheffield), Amber Valley, Markeaton (Derby) and Trent Valley crematoria.
Where can the ceremony take place?
Ceremonies can be held wherever feels most meaningful — at a crematorium or burial ground, in a village hall, in your own home and garden, in a woodland glade, or any other venue you choose. Michael works with families in all of these settings.
How much does a celebrant cost?
Michael offers a free, no-obligation conversation first to talk through what you would like the ceremony to be. He does not publish a fixed price — every family is different, every ceremony is different. Get in touch on 07966 445452 or mike@mjsnowcelebrant.co.uk and he will explain how it works.
What types of ceremony does Michael lead?
Three main kinds: funeral ceremonies for burials and cremations, memorial services held days, weeks or months after the funeral, and short ceremonies for the scattering or burial of ashes. Every one is built around the person who has died.
Is Michael a qualified celebrant?
Yes. Michael holds the Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy (RQF), the national qualification delivered by Civil Ceremonies Ltd, and is a member of the Institute of Civil Funerals. He has conducted over 100 ceremonies and currently leads three or more each week.
What should I do when someone dies?
The first steps depend on where the death took place. If at home and expected, contact the family doctor. If at home unexpectedly, call 111 immediately — the death may need to be reported to a coroner. If in hospital, the staff will issue a medical certificate and guide you. If abroad, register the death with both the local authorities and the British Consul. There is a full short guide on the For Grieving Families page.
Can family and friends take part in the ceremony?
Yes — and Michael encourages it. Family members and friends can give readings, share stories or play music that meant something to the person who has died. The ceremony is built collaboratively, and Michael supports the family in carrying out as much of the service themselves as they feel able to.