James Leet
Owner/Mentor/Celebrant
FUNERAL CELEBRANT
James, the Owner and Founder of Moonshooting, is also a dedicated Funeral Celebrant, offering gentle guidance and heartfelt support to families during difficult times. With deep compassion and respect, he works closely with loved ones to design highly personal funeral services that honour the unique life, beliefs, and values of the deceased.
For families seeking a non-religious or semi-religious ceremony, James provides a caring alternative to traditional services, ensuring each detail reflects the true spirit of the person being remembered. Fully trained and accredited, he brings professionalism and empathy to every service, offering comfort and meaningful connection in a way that makes each farewell personal and memorable.
Families can trust in James’s commitment to creating a ceremony that feels right for them, allowing space for both remembrance and celebration in their own way.
"My mission as an independent Funeral Celebrant is to strive to help people find some peace through farewell...
My role is to help you find the best way for you to say goodbye your way! I am able to incorporate your beliefs, your wishes, your values, and work with you to put together a farewell ceremony. Whether you need a graveside service, cremation service, ashes ceremony, or memorial service,, I can help you with both the content and devliery, support and guidance."
How do Celebrants assist your Family?
Personalisation of the Ceremony: Celebrants craft a bespoke service by meeting with family and friends of the deceased to gather stories, memories, and specific wishes. They aim to capture the essence of the person’s life, making the service unique and personal.
Flexibility in Style and Content: Unlike religious leaders who may follow specific liturgies, funeral celebrants can be more flexible in terms of structure, allowing for various elements such as music, poetry, or symbolic rituals that might not be typical in traditional services.
Focus on the Deceased’s Life and Values: Celebrants usually focus on celebrating the life of the deceased rather than emphasising religious beliefs. They can include some religious elements, like hymns or prayers, if the family wishes, but the service is often secular or minimally religious.
Guidance and Support for Families: Celebrants provide support by helping families make decisions about how to best honour their loved one, suggesting readings, tributes, and ceremonial elements that resonate with the family.
FAQs
Q. What is an independent funeral celebrant?
A. An independent funeral celebrant is someone who can help you devise and deliver an appropriate ceremony to celebrate the life of your loved one, whether that be a comital ceremony or memorial service. Because they are independent they are not restricted by any particular set of believes and are able to work with you in a way that reflects your best goodbye.
Q. Can I ask for you through my funeral director?
A. Yes, your funeral director can make contact with me directly and everything can go through them.
Q. Do I have to conform to a scripted service
A. No. This is your farewell, and I will work with you to find the best service for you.
Q. Am I able to have hymns and prayers?
A. Yes, absolutely! Some people think that because this is not a church service you are not allowed to have religious content, as an independent celebrant, I am able to put together the service that you want. I strive to create a blend of service that reflects a celebration of life, this should be inclusive of individual values.
Q. Am I able to say anything myself, can other people contribute?
A. Absolutely, I am there to help, support and guide, I can help you with writing and coaching for delivery, plus be with you on the day to make you feel safe and confident.
Q. Am I able to book you separately for private ceremonies such as the scattering or internment of ashes?
A. Yes, you don’t need to go through a funeral director for that, you can contact me at any time when you are ready.
Q. What happens when we ask for a celebrant?
A. Typically your funeral director will make contact with me and let me know your details. I will make contact with you and arrange to spend some time together where we can take our time to decide your best farewell. I will go away and put everything together then come back to you to make sure that you are 100% happy, this is about you and your wishes. On the day of the ceremony, I will be there before you arrive and I will be the last one to leave, I will be your support throughout.
Q. How do we get in touch?
A. You can either let your funeral director deal with everything and go through them, or you can contact me via my email or telephone number on the website.
Q. Who do I pay?
A. Typically, the fee for celebracy is included within your funeral package and will be dealt with directly through them.
Q. Can I just call for a chat I have so many questions?
A. Yes!
