A light-red wooden frame in the shape of a an arrow pointing to the left, surrounding the word Ceremony written on a black chalkboard. The background is blurred.

Wonderful ceremonies of celebration and remembrance
for people and communities in Yorkshire.

The Community Celebrant

Every celebrant brings their own particular style and approach to creating the perfect ceremony.

As the Community Celebrant, I combine inventive and personal twists with traditional elements and gentle humour, preparing ceremonies that fully reflect the lives, character and interests of those being celebrated.

A table set with cutlery, napkins and glasses and brightly decorated with flowers in a variety of shades of pink. In the background, lights and decorations are hung up.
A hand is laying an unopened bunch of white lilies on a grave.

I draw on ceremonial practices from other cultures and periods and my expertise in theatre and performance to produce creative ceremonies that truly capture the feeling of the moment.

The ceremony then brings everyone together to share in the full atmosphere of the event.

What is Independent Celebrancy?

An outstretched hand, palm upwards, carries a large and small wedding ring, and rests on a larger hand.

Independent celebrancy is the art of creating and delivering personalised ceremonies for life’s big events which are truly memorable.

Independent celebrants lead wedding ceremonies and funeral services, as well as crafting ceremonies to celebrate any other significant commitment or change. This could include , for example, naming ceremonies, coming out ceremonies or friendship ceremonies.

Independent celebrants offer an alternative to wholly religious or wholly civic ceremonies. They can be more flexible than other celebrants, such as Humanist celebrants, as they are not bound by a particular philosophy or ethos. They can work with individuals, couples, families and groups to design ceremonies around the particular beliefs, wishes and interests of the person or people being celebrated. These may blend secular and religious elements – from any faith – where desired, and take place almost anywhere.

About Dave

I was inspired to become an independent celebrant after attending the Celebration of Life for a good friend. The event was so moving and uplifting at the same time that I went on to train with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy.

Celebrancy gives me the opportunity to engage with people and their stories, to turn those stories into meaningful ceremonies and bring communities together at the most significant times of life.

Before becoming a celebrant, I was a University lecturer teaching drama and performance for over twenty years. I have a background in theatre as a director, writer, performer and facilitator. In 2017, I was awarded a PhD by the University of Warwick for my theatre research.

A man in a brown waistcoat and trousers, with a white shirt and blue polka-dot tie, a grey beard, glasses and a newsboy cap holds a resonator ukulele and looks down the camera, smiling.

When I’m not working as a celebrant, lecturer or theatre-maker, you can find me performing ukulele shows around the country.

A brown wooden coffin in a room with large windows and wooden floorboards, has a row of flowers and candles arranged before it on white taffeta. An easel carrying a sign to the right is also decorated with flowers.

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Email: dave@communitycelebrant.co.uk

Tel: 07858 283279