I'm Sylvia Baldock - Funeral Celebrant
I absolutely love, delivering ceremonies which are a true commemoration of a life well lived, where everyone feels included and the service is everything you wished for and more.
It’s important that you feel you are in safe hands and that this special day will run seamlessly, allowing you to focus on your own feelings and reflections.
So, a little about me:
I am a professional speaker/trainer/coach and have taught many groups and individuals to present with more power, presence and impact.
I have been presenting and training since childhood when I was actively encouraged to speak at church from an early age. At the tender age of 13 yrs I spoke regularly at a youth group for troubled young people.
Throughout my varied career from Theatre Sister in Open Heart Surgery, sales and team building in the professional service industries and training/mentoring/coaching business leaders and teams, my mission has been to empower others to rediscover their true value and to live a life of purpose, fulfilment and impact.
I am totally at ease meeting with you, discussing the unique and special qualities of your loved one and creating a fascinating story of their life so you feel you have truly honoured them in a lasting and memorable way.
We can’t thank Sylvia enough for the care and compassion she showed our family. She really listened to our stories about Dad. That personal touch meant so much to us and made the whole service feel truly special. The ceremony was beautiful and incredibly memorable. Every detail was handled with such sensitivity and professionalism, and the poem she chose was so apt – it perfectly captured Dad and everything he stood for. We’re so grateful for the thought, warmth and dignity she brought to such an important day. We would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a truly personal and meaningful service." - Jude Wilkinson
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"I can’t thank you enough for holding the day together so brilliantly, and for all the support you gave me in the process, - lots of very nice comments about the service and how the whole thing went which is very much down to your guidance and brilliant holding of the space, and choice of words.
I hope our paths cross again!
Victoria
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"We would like to sincerely thank you for your help, understanding and professionalism in the way you prepared and carried out your role as Funeral Celebrant at my wife and our mother's funeral last Friday.
Your help and advice in preparing the Eulogy and the organising of the funeral was absolutely outstanding and this was perfectly recognised by the positive responses we have received from a number of the attendees at the funeral.
Thank you once again for making a very difficult and sad day so bearable."
David, Jo & Chris Rouse and Family
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"From the moment I opened my front door and saw you, I knew that you were perfect for Nan. You made the whole process from start to end calm and efficient. You even read my mind about the poppy hat when you turned it around, such great attention to detail and knowing that it was important to us." Karen
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"I would like to thank you for the wonderful manner you conducted the funeral service for Brenda. I was so pleased with the eulogy we were able to put together, your patience, thoroughness, and professionalism throughout the entire process and most importantly the warmth you gave to me and the family. Your help and assistance made a considerable difference at this challenging time. My sincere thanks." Les
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"Just a note to say thanks once again for today, it was a lovely service and it all went as I’d hoped it would, your words were lovely and the whole occasion was in my mind just perfect" - James Peach
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'I just wanted to write a note to thank you for all your support, consideration and kindness regarding my mum's funeral. Your experience and guidance was a real comfort and really did reduce the stress on the day. I also wanted to say again how beautifully and sensitively you read the Gerontius extract. It really held meaning and was perfect." Sally
"We love working with Sylvia for our families as she is kind, compassionate and thorough. She delivers a service to the highest of standards and we have no worries entrusting her with such an important role. The feedback we get is always positive and the impact she has on families is amazing."
Alice Surman, Funeral Director, Surman and Horwood
Funeral Ceremonies
Civil Funeral Service
It’s important that you feel you are in safe hands and that this special day will run seamlessly, allowing you to focus on your own feelings and reflections. I will collaborate with you to create a meaningful and dignified funeral experience to reflect the family wishes and to fully honour the memory of your loved one.
Memorial Service
Marking the memory of someone with a Memorial Service gives an opportunity for larger groups of friends and colleagues to pay their respects to someone they have held dear. I will work closely with you to ensure that all aspects of the memorial service are handled with care and sensitivity.
Scattering or burial of Ashes
Creating a unique burial to reflect the life of the deceased can bring closure in a special way. As with any funeral, I will work collaboratively with you, funeral homes, crematoriums, and all relevant parties to ensure a fitting and memorable tribute to your loved one.
Living Funerals
Increasingly people nearing the end of their lives seek peace of mind knowing they have had full control of how they are celebrated often relieving the pressure on the family to reflect on a life well lived. A living funeral means planning a service as a goodbye celebration, when someone is still well enough to express their wishes and even attend in person. I can help create this special ceremony with you ensuring you or your loved one is truly celebrated and cherished.
What others are saying
KIND WORDS
I would like to thank you for the wonderful manner you conducted the funeral service for Brenda. I was so pleased with the eulogy we were able to put together, your patience, thoroughness, and professionalism throughout the entire process and most importantly the warmth you gave to me and the family.
Your help and assistance made a considerable difference at this challenging time.
My sincere thanks. Les Kerry
Sylvia helped our family navigate through a dark time with kindness, empathy and professionalism. She went above and beyond to get to know us and our loved one and successfully orchestrated the best possible send off with plenty of personal touches. Her presence was pivotal during our funeral preparations. Georgia Cahill
"Sylvia was so compassionate and caring. She listened as I talked about my Aunty’s life and delivered the most beautiful service for her. Her attention to detail really made this the funeral my amazing Aunt deserved. My Aunt’s character shone through the entire ceremony. Highly recommend and Sylvia will be my first port of call when I need her for another service.”
Isabel Machado-Williams
Dear Sylvia,
I wanted to write to you to say a really big thank you for the service you conducted for us yesterday. We were so pleased with how things went and want to thank you for your part, listening to us, taking notes and painting a lovely picture of Dad. Many of our guests have commented on how wonderfully you conducted the service. Leigh Turvey
"What I appreciated most was the time and effort Sylvia took to spend time with us, listening to our stories about Dad. During such a difficult time, being able to share our memories with someone who listened so warmly and compassionately was incredibly cathartic. I was so impressed by how Sylvia used our words to create such a wonderful service - it was poignant, humorous, and captured our Dad's nature perfectly. This is not only a reflection of her understanding but also a testament to her writing ability.
Thank you, Sylvia" Jack Cahill
Sylvia
"I met Sylvia Baldock when she officiated at the funeral of my former music teacher, at which I had been invited to give a eulogy. She conducted the half hour celebration of this man’s life with great sensitivity, involving several people with their memories and setting a relaxed and supportive atmosphere that was much appreciated by those present"
Duncan Lord
Teacher, singer, musician
Sylvia officiated at the funeral of a very old friend of mine. She struck precisely the appropriate tone, put everyone at their ease, and offered some humour without in any way compromising the dignity of the occasion. We could not have asked for better.”
Bernard Trafford
Writer, musician, educationist
How I work with you
Sharing your story
When I work with you, we will either meet in person, online or by phone.
You may be alone, or family members may be present to add their thoughts and reflections.
The conversation will take anything up to 2 hours as we will be exploring the different stages and aspects of your loved one’s life.
‘Stories light up the brain’
Listeners are much more engaged by stories than a series of life events.
As an author and speaker, I love gathering vital information to tell compelling stories that capture the hearts and souls of the audience.
I will ask searching questions to fully appreciate the life and character of your loved one, prompting memories that may have lain dormant for many years. You may find photographs work well to revisit special times and refresh your recollections.
Getting the story right
I will then create a tribute based on your wishes and the information you have given me.
I'll send this to you so you can check the details and let me know if you want any additions or amendments.
Once amended, I will resend the final tribute to you, so you make sure it is exactly as you envisaged and that it does justice to your loved one.
Creating the perfect funeral
I can help with choices of music and poems, and I am happy to include religious content such as readings and prayers if requested.
If family members or friends wish to speak, I will contact them to make sure the content is varied and to discuss timings.
I will have a full script of all contributions so I can step in if anyone finds it too difficult to speak on the day.
There for you throughout
My role is to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day, everyone feels included in a true commemoration of a life well lived and that the funeral is everything you wished for and more.
As a Funeral Celebrant, I work closely with the Funeral Director, their team and the staff at the crematorium or burial ground to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly and according to the plan we have discussed whilst being as stress-free as possible for you, your family and friends.
Putting you at ease
Although I will be working with you to create and run the ceremony you desire, you are always in charge and your wishes always come first.
I am a member of the ‘Institute of Civil Funerals' and I have signed the Funeral Celebrant Accord.
This means that:
I follow a strict set of guidelines to ensure I provide you with the best possible service.
I am fully insured.
I have access to a wide range of resources to help create the perfect ceremony for you.
The areas I cover are Bridport, Lyme Regis, Dorchester, Weymouth, Taunton, Axminster, Yeovil, Exeter, Sidmouth and most of Dorset and Devon
‘For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then you shall truly dance.’
Kahil Graham