Compassionate Funeral Celebrancy
I have been a funeral celebrant for many years now and have worked with hundreds of families and many funeral directors. I feel that this experience has been immensely valuable. I would aspire to combine this experience with empathy and compassion meaning that hopefully, I am more than just a safe pair of hands. My career outside celebrancy is in the music world - performing, teaching and conducting. This passion for and knowledge of music can also come in useful when it comes to putting things together on an important day. Live music is a relatively easy aspect to incorporate into ceremonies with music as an adjacent career.
I live in West London with my family which includes Mojo the dog and two Scottish Fold house-cats.
Empathetic Guidance Awaits
For many, this could be the first time that they are organising a funeral and help from me (and the funeral director) can be of vital importance. Readings, music, use of the screens can all be discussed. It can be fascinating for me to research new areas and discover new literature, music and funeral rituals from different cultures.
Contact me today to discuss how I can assist you in planning a meaningful funeral or memorial ceremony
Dave Gordon-Shute
Funeral Celebrant
“Dave Gordon-Shute was outstanding. He created a calming and assured presence at my husband’s funeral and I am very grateful to him. The funeral service was exactly how my son and I had planned and it is thanks to Dave”
Anon, Mortlake Crematorium, July 2025
Rating 5* out of 5
What I can offer you
An initial chat is the ideal way to start and then we might plan an in-person meeting although I will quite understand if you don't feel up to this. We can meet on Zoom/Teams etc if you prefer plus this can have the advantage of including others if they live further afield. From this initial meeting, everything about the funeral can be discussed including (but not limited to) music (live/recorded), tributes/speeches, readings/poems and rituals/religious content. I then work in close contact with the Funeral Director and we become a support team for you, ensuring that everything runs smoothly from hereon in. It is important to then remain in close contact in the ensuing days. There will be a number of decisions to make and sections to think about. I am open to being in a "Group Chat" if that might help. I can also be the one to contact external speakers if that could help reduce your own list of things to do.
You will always see draft versions of both the Order of Service and the full service well in advance.
