Many people are choosing to use the services of a Funeral Celebrant to conduct the funeral for someone they love. At Parkside Funerals, there are many people we can refer your family to, when you need to plan a funeral.
All of the celebrants we refer you to, live locally, and provide excellence in all aspects of their profession. There are also other funeral celebrants we have listed should any of the following people not be available.
 

Sue Beckham
One of the most well-known and frequently requested funeral celebrants on the North West coast, Sue Beckham brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and understanding into her role as a funeral celebrant. “I am also a pastoral care worker in a local nursing home, and I try to ensure compassion and care is always uppermost in my dealings with each bereaved family, and present in every service.

I have a Diploma of Social Work, and enjoy continually upgrading my knowledge, skills and understanding of life, through participating in workshops and seminars. I have many books and resources that I use to provide the right reading, poem or reflection.”
 

Gary Grey
A retired minister of religion, I have conducted many hundreds of funerals on the North-West Coast, over many years I have also counselled thousands of people and I understand that bereavement presents itself in many forms, and that bereavement through the death of someone you love is especially painful. With this in mind, and with the family’s help, I create unique funeral services that will accurately meet the family’s needs, and bring comfort and hope.

I believe that life is a journey and that it encompasses both living and dying, and for this reason I am involved with many aspects of the lives of people in our community, from conducting weddings, and name-giving ceremonies, to relationship counselling, palliative counselling, continuing the pastoral care that I have begun with them. 

My health is precarious at times, and I am not always able to lead as many services as I would like, but feel free to request my services.
 

Rennie Neasey-O’Connell
I’ve been leading funeral services for the past fifteen years. During that time I’ve built up a large resource base – in order that the life of the person who has died is commemorated uniquely and accurately. I have a dedication to all aspects of funeral work. Because I arrange most of the funerals that are entrusted to Parkside then should a family request my services as a celebrant, I am almost always available. It is frequently just another aspect of the work I am already doing.

I never lose sight of the fact that every funeral service entrusted into our care, is an honour. I particularly enjoy using creativity in a funeral service, and will use symbols like candle-lighting ceremonies, placing of flowers, and the releasing of doves, as well as audio-visual displays to add to the uniqueness.

At Parkside we know that music is an important way of celebrating a life, and we have a music database of more than 12,000 tracks, and so even some of the most obscure requests can be supplied.

In addition, along with other Parkside staff, where possible I provide after-funeral bereavement care, for as long as a family need it.