Willow Nash Celebrant
From Entrances to Encores and Everything in between
From Entrances to Encores and Everything in between.
Love and life and stories - we love, we live, and our stories are made, to celebrate, to tell and to witness. It all begins with love. Personal, bespoke ceremonies, written in close consultation with you and delivered by me with creativity, passion and truth so your stories can be told exactly the way you want them told. London, Home Counties and overseas
About Me
Professionally trained celebrant and actor to share your stories
I am excited by, and genuinely fascinated with people and their stories. I have been telling stories for nearly 30 years in my capacity as a professional actor. (East 15 Acting School BA in Acting) so the telling of clients' stories as a celebrant is enhanced by this training and experience. I have been trained in celebrancy by The International College for Professional Celebrants. (ICPC).
In my life, I have experienced roof-lifting joy and devastating loss; I am at the stage where I am fully equipped to be your storyteller, expertly steering and gauging the telling of your ´story´ and a safe pair of hands in which to place the process of telling that story. I ensure everyone in the space feels included but also have the sensitivity to be aware this is your narrative to tell, not my performance to give!
I was married to my actor husband by a celebrant, members of my family have had celebrant led funerals and both my children have had celebrant led naming ceremonies so I have some empathy for the experience and the freedom of celebrant officiated ceremonies. I also have vast experience in creative writing and performing with my theatre company, Really Big Pants Theatre. I use my skills of being able to think on my feet and to cope with just about anything!
I love ceremonies formal and informal as public expressions of love for one another or a child or a life passed. I consider it an honour to be the one to guide you in these incredibly important moments in your lives. Nature is where I place my faith but I am very happy to include prayers, blessings or readings with religious content for any of your ceremonies.
I love to experience nature, be it up a mountain, swimming in a river or a lake or walking across a sandy beach after a bracing walk on the cliff tops usually with my husband, reluctant children and two working cocker spaniels! Travelling and experiencing natural and beautiful places is a passion of mine so delivering a ceremony in a forest glade is right up my street - or woodland path!
I'm equally happy in a stately home and always ensure the ceremony runs as smoothly as possible, liaising with all those involved from family members and friends to other suppliers. I want this ceremony to be all that you dream it to be, as you declare your feelings, promises, endeavours and ultimately love for one another or a life passed in front of all your nearest and dearest.
You can see me and hear me in action on my insta account. Just search for @willownashcelebrant or click on the live link in the menu bar at the top or on the link in the footer at the bottom of this page after my blog.
Story of my logo
My logo is a roughly drawn circle to represent the circle of life in all its messiness. It is in my favourite colour green to reflect my love of nature and has the olive branches to symbolise peace and friendship. The sparkle is there because everyone needs a little sparkle!
The strap line, 'From Entrances to Encores and Everything in between' is a nod to my theatrical background and the stories that a life is made up of and which I hope to present with truth and heart in my delivery of your ceremonies.
Ceremonies
Everything you’re looking for
Training
Committed to excellence
As well as being a professionally trained actor at East 15 Acting School (BA in Acting), I also trained at The International College for Professional Celebrants (ICPC) with whom I am fully insured.
I have adopted The Celebrant Accord and been trained in the Obitus Media software so I can show families all that Obitus offer.
The Funeral Celebrant Accord defines the attributes and skills required of an excellent funeral celebrant and is intended to set the standards by which all celebrants offering funeral services should be measured. The role of a funeral celebrant is to serve the bereaved and their community by creating and leading a personal, accurate and respectful funeral ceremony. Their work should clearly reflect the life, values and beliefs of the person who has died, acknowledge and give time to their community of family and friends, and create an environment in which the grieving process can be held and supported. An excellent funeral celebrant: 1. Is professional 2. Cares for their clients 3. Is calm and shows natural leadership 4. Writes personalised ceremonies 5. Cares about their self-development
© The Funeral Celebrancy Council 2019
Testimonials
A reputation for exceptional results
Coming soon!
'Willow was confident, had great projection and engaged everyone in the room so we could all hear and felt included. She summed up Gary within the first 30 seconds with a lovely sense of humour. Her story telling skills were evident, she was so warm and friendly and captured Gary superbly. It was 110% accurate and just captured the essence of Gary and his life. She was gentle but engaging and so understanding when I got upset in our first meeting.' Cathy (Best friend of Gary.)
'Willow is an utterly competent and truly professional celebrant. Her kind nature and confidence brings comfort in grief. I hold no doubt that she will be a sterling recommendation to your future families. ' Henry Akehurst (Funeral Director, Ellis Bros Family Funeral Directors.)
' I watched the live streaming of Jane’s funeral, which was often unbearably moving. I thought you were a perfect celebrant, you handled it with such calm and sensitivity. It can't have been easy but you made us feel in very safe hands - you were absolutely the right person. I hope you got some time to recover afterwards.' Annie R (friend to the late J.W.)
'Willow was the celebrant at the funeral of my wife Jane. She was perfect. The conversations before the day were detailed but sensitive and the communication with me and the Funeral Directors was flawless. On the day itself, Willow’s calmness set the perfect tone. Jane’s funeral was mainly at home but also partly at a crematorium. Willow was very happy to be flexible in the face of these slightly unusual arrangements.
The funeral was full of love and happiness as well as the inevitable sadness. Willow was a very big part of a special day celebrating my lovely wife'
Hugh K (Husband to the late J.W.)
Hi Willow - Many thanks again for a beautiful job…the pitch and tone were just perfect.'
HK for the Funeral of Bob Shaw (CO-OP Funeral Directors - Selsey,
Chichester)
‘Thanks Willow.
You were marvellous and commented on by a lot of people at the wake.’
Ben Shove for the funeral of his mother Margaret Shove. (Colchester Wimpole Road CO-OP Funeral Service)
‘…a breath of fresh air. You should be very proud of that funeral.’
Tom (Chapel attendant Chichester Crematorium)
Coming soon!
"I've realised why we are here", whispered the boy. "For cake?" asked the mole. "To love", said the boy. "And be loved", said the horse.
Charlie Mackesy
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