2022 has been a difficult year for many people, especially with the cost of living crisis that has cast a shadow over so much. One day a week I run an open access food hub in Cambridge. We’ve seen numbers steadily rising over the past few months, and more and more of my time each Wednesday is now spent referring people for help with their energy bills and other costs. Each week we see new people coming through our doors, worried about how they will manage. Frankly, I’m worried too - worried about where this is heading. Providing a listening ear for people’s troubles is right at the heart of my humanism. I should say, I also gain a lot from the food hub - more than I put in - in terms of community and connection.

When people talk about humanism as a lack of faith, really, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s all about faith - just not a religious one. Humanism, for me at least, is about faith in people. So, while 2022 has been a tough year, it’s given me a lot to be hopeful about too. There are many times, like seeing the generosity of people at our food hub Christmas session, when my flagging faith has been full restored!

There have been lots of milestones too, for me, in 2022. I led my first wedding and naming ceremonies, venturing out of my funeral comfort zone, and setting out on a new path as a celebrant. It’s been great getting to know the fabulous 2022 namings trainee cohort who have been unfailingly supportive of each other, and just the loveliest bunch of people you could ever hope to meet.

Humanists UK 2022 Naming Trainees - and trainers!

At the end of October, I also attended my first Humanists UK conference, and came away totally refreshed and inspired! There were some great workshops on ways of involving children in funerals, something I want to focus on in my 2023 ceremonies. Possibly the greatest joy and takeaway from the weekend though was being able to meet up in person with so many of the celebrants that we’d connected with online.

The chapel at Mintlyn Crematorium, King’s Lynn

Back in March, I passed the milestone of 100 funeral ceremonies and I’ve ended the year at almost 200. I started the year playing ACDC’s ‘Highway To Hell’ in a very chilly Melbourn cemetery, and ended it in Hendon crematorium, telling the story of a former seamstress to Queen Elizabeth II. I’ve led funerals for people from ages 0 to 102, at green burial grounds, crematoriums both familiar and new to me, and even in converted Victorian school houses. I’ve played football anthems, songs from old time crooners, TV themes - and everything in between. Even Offenbach’s Can Can. As always, it’s been an absolute privilege to be asked to lead these farewells - particularly where I’ve planned someone’s funeral with them in advance.

So, as I sit here on New Year’s Eve, reflecting on the past year as a celebrant, I just feel very fortunate. Fortunate that I get to do this work (and really, is it actually work?!) and to tell these stories. I’m especially thinking of all those families I’ve worked with who have lost someone this year - more than one person in several cases - and sending them love and light.

And… my hopes for 2023? More of the same, really - I look forward not only to my 200th funeral, but my 300th too. I’m also going to focus on growing the number of wedding and naming ceremonies I do, and getting the word out there about what I have to offer. And I’ll still be at the food hub every Wednesday, dishing out the surplus veg, although I hope that people start seeing their circumstances start to improve soon…

Wishing you all the very best for 2023!

Looking back on 2022, a year of highs, lows, firsts, hellos, and goodbyes…

Book review ~ ‘Admin to Ashes’

A week in the life of a celebrant…