She has a wealth of experience in working with families and individuals to create funeral services which capture the life of an individual, however they have lived their life.
She was born in Bradford, then moved to Hull over 20 years ago to study for a university degree.
She is a trained counsellor, with a previous background of employment within the voluntary and charitable sector, overseas education, the prison service and mental healthcare.
You can contact Irene directly through this website, with questions you may have about funerals, to make enquiries regarding a funeral ceremony, or you can request that your Funeral Director contacts her.
In recent years non-religious (or secular) ceremonies have become commonplace. In many chapels and crematoria in the UK, they are more common than religious services of any denomination.
The person conducting the ceremony, whether they are called a Celebrant, Officiant, Minister or Orator, is not required to have any formal training. There is no impartial governing body, legislation or even a common set of guidelines to govern the conduct of someone who officiates at a funeral service. There is no single organisation which exists to ensure professional standards and to protect the client or family.
Many organisations profess to train individuals - there are schools of celebrancy and colleges of ministry. There are even online courses which entitle a fee-payer to a certificate of qualification, though they may never have met that person or assessed the standard of their writing and presentation.
Some individuals offering to conduct ceremonies claim to be 'fully qualified'. Others advise they are a 'full member' of a group or association. None of these groups have any authority. There is no recognised national qualification or standard.
So choose someone to conduct the service for your loved one who is