Cheri Kelly Civil Celebrant

17/06/2026

For anybody considering a Direct Cremation please be aware that it does not include a ceremony at the crematorium. This means that loved ones and friends are not able to pay their respects in a traditional way. While this is great for some people I have spoken to family members who were not aware of this until after their loved one had died. I worked with them on a memorial ceremony after the cremation which helped but did not replace their need to say goodbye at the cremation. I even discovered that a family member had signed up for a direct cremation without fully understanding what it was.
The following article has been published today about Pure Cremation Advert. I’m sharing for information.
If you would like more information or help in deciding what would be right for you I offer a free 30 minute consultation to run through your options. No obligation to engage my services.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pure-cremation-advert-banned-funeral-b2996765.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaASfmOhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeymmaVUzyZGqEsZNPiYOgiE8vATUQmk14D6bzb1m8bsPOOW2sQke0Mj9UAXQ_aem_2oj-9mxZq62kdshJlDYCFw

Pure Cremation’s advert has been pulled be regulators for claiming an attended funeral service was part of its standard plan

03/04/2026

This looks interesting

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Br4wPuGYS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Welsh druid Kris Hughes hopes to provide the UK's first human composting service as an alternative to cremation or burial

As it isn’t legal yet, he visited the US to learn more, where the practice is allowed in several states

Read more: https://bbc.in/4dnc6Qg

📸 Ffilmiau Twm Twm | Getty Images

24/11/2025

Heading into the last week of my 61st trip around the moon. I intend to celebrate myself this week.
The week started with signs galore. A double rainbow sitting over as I headed in to work. Greeted by my favourite cat in the whole world, Achilles. Surprised with a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my lovely colleagues Neil and Dee which, as always, were made with love by Rob . I am so blessed to spend the weekends in a place filled with love, joy and positive energy. The flowers are the start of my own little celebratory alter that I will be adding to in the lead up to my birthday.

02/08/2025

From Ceremony to Circle to Classroom. How July Full Moon, an Anniversary Celebration and chance meeting helped me to plan my next chapter. Link in bio

23/06/2025

Skills. We all have them. They are nearly always transferable. Being a Celebrant requires so many more skills than people realise. These are just a few of mine that I have used in my work as a Celebrant. Honestly. Comment below how you think my ballet skills have been used. You might be surprised. 🩰

17/06/2025

Throwback to when I was PR and Liaison Manager for Welsh Parliament. This photo was taken at the Royal Welsh Show, one of the highlights of the year. As PR and Liaison Manager I travelled the length and breadth of Wales meeting people from all walks of life. From delivering talks to WIs to presenting on local radio, teaching democracy in schools to supporting groups to raise petitions and give evidence at the Select Committee inquiries. I have so many good memories. The best of all was presenting a group of young people to HM The Queen Elizabeth 2nd and (then) HRH Prince of Wales Charles in a private audience.

04/06/2025

When choosing a Celebrant you want to know that they will be a good fit. How can you decide that? Well as a starting point, by looking at our social media and websites. I’ve updated my website today so check the link in my bio if you are “interested not nosey” but if you are just nosey then all the more reason to find out what the difference is 😉
Now, who do YOU think I am? Points for the best (wrong) answer

26/05/2025

It is so good to see the conversation around dying, death and grief becoming more prominent in mainstream stream media. It opens the doors for people to feel free to express their fears, wishes and hopes even before death knocks on the door.
“The time between death and burial were seen as an unstable and dangerous time for the spirit and some communities developed elaborate wake rituals”

We have lost the skills to sit with the dying or the dead as life has become so fast paced. Education and discussion is what we need more of.

18/04/2025

15/04/2025

One of my recent tie creations to wear for a ceremony.
Pearls are often linked to femininity, purity and innocence in western culture and so can often be used to adorn wedding dresses and veils as well as used by the bride in her jewellery. However in Asian cultures they symbolise wisdom, enlightenment and spiritual transformation. an ancient Chinese tradition to place a@pearl in the mouth of a deceased person was thought to provide a safe passage into the afterlife and reincarnation into a better life. This tradition is still practised in some Taoist and Buddhist funeral services. Placing a pearl in the mouth of the deceased is seen as a sign of respect and belief in the power of rebirth.

While I personally do not follow this tradition for my funeral ceremonies there are times when pearls may have a significant meaning and I will incorporate the various meanings into any of my ceremonies in a relevant way.