HELP is at hand for those who feel it would not be appropriate for a departed loved one to receive a church funeral service, but would still like the ceremony to include hymns and prayers.

Civil celebrant Nick Underwood, from Haslemere, can co-ordinate and lead a service including religious elements, rather than a church minister, at a crematorium, or a woodland/green burial site.

Nick also brings a dramatic extra dimension to his role, as he is a successful playwright and actor.

The author of several BBC Radio 4 afternoon plays, it was writing his 2015 offering, Ten Funerals and a Wedding, which inspired him to become a celebrant.

While researching the subject, Nick realised it was a service he would like to offer and his writing and acting skills – he has had walk on parts in Coronation Street and Emmerdale - would stand him in good stead.

“It always amazes me how few the people are who know about celebrants,” said Nick (above).

“My view as a civil celebrant is the service should include hymns and prayers if that’s what the family want. There’s something very powerful about everyone singing a hymn together and people say they get a lot of strength from that.

“I have conducted ceremonies at Green Acres woodland burial site at Heatherley Wood, Grayshott, and it’s a beautiful setting.

“There is a small venue for the ceremony and then you process into the woodland for the burial.

“At one woodland burial I was asked to lead the singing of Are You Going to Scarborough Fair without instrumental accompaniment.

“I was a bit worried but it was lovely.

“I thought I would have to do the first verse on my own but everyone joined in.”

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