"We were lucky enough to have Sonja officiate as a Celebrant at our dear dad’s funeral / celebration.

 

Despite the difficulties with COVID restrictions causing more stresses at a difficult time and being new to the role Sonja explained the process, guiding us and giving a gentle nudge when needed to keep everything on track as she liaised with the the funeral directors regarding timings etc.

 

The process of taking details and memories of Dad was very organic. After noting down the relevant details she then listened while my bother and I shared memories about Dad’s life and our family memories then came up with an accurate, touching and moving account of Dad’s life. Which we get to view and discuss itwas excatly as we wanted  and being so involved. 

 

On the day she was professional, supportive and empathetic and helped us celebrate Dad’s life in the best way we could given the very tight restrictions of the lockdown in December which were getting tighter by the day. Immediately afterwards we said that Dad would have been very happy with how it went and that was not in a small way down to Sonja’s guidance, advice and determination to ensure that we were able to give Dad the send off he deserved!"

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The Gray Family Eastleigh 

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"Sonja has a wonderful, warm personality and is passionate about creating the right environment and atmosphere for the service you require.

For my dear husband’s funeral she listened, she guided, she supported, and went above and beyond to make the celebration of his unique life so very special.

She has a delightful way with words that expresses all that needs to be said. Sonja helped to make a wonderful parting memory on what many people would consider to be a very sad day.

We remembered, we laughed, we cried, we even danced... on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

Covid restrictions may have prevented a larger gathering, but it did not stop us from giving my darling husband the send-off he deserved.

With the help of the funeral director David (AH Rogers) and Wessex Vale being very accommodating, we couldn’t have asked for a better day".

Thank you sincerely!

 

Lisa Joynes 

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Good morning, Sonja!

 

"Thank you so much for all you did for us.

 

Paul’s celebration at Wessex Vale Crematorium was unbelievably lovely.

With its delightfully composed Eulogy, not without many touches of humour(!),  poems, music and evocative drum beats at the Commendation. his life was most accurately, sensitively and beautifully  displayed

 

On behalf of Lamorna, Liam, Isabella and Leo, I would like to say how much your kindness meant.

During the service, you were there for Isabella:  when reading “We had a wonderful grandfather” became just too painful for her, you  took over. It was a wonderful thing to do"

Thank you from my heart.

 

 

We were all delighted to welcome you to our happy afternoon of Morris dancing!

 

We had so much fun, didn’t we! As we celebrated his life under a blue sky and endless sunshine,  I am sure that Paul was with us in spirit. He will have enjoyed the “Whitethorn Polka” in particular!

On behalf of Whitethorn Morris, thank you for entering into the dances – and know that you would be warmly welcomed at practices in Harrow on Thursday evenings...!

 

Gill Westlake

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Good afternoon, Sonja.
Dorothy and l wish to thank you sincerely for your welcome visit. We really enjoyed it.
After studying it we also wish  to thank and congratulate you on the amazing effort
made compiling Kathy's service and obituary. First class!
Kind regards

Jack and Dorothy

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Dear Sonja,

I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of all of us for today.

Your kindness and warmth to my sister is so appreciated and your little touches were so thoughtful. 

I feel very much that Dad would have approved of the service and it was a lovely comforting way to say goodbye.

Thank you again and best wishes from Bristol.

 

Maria x 

 

Dear Sonja 

Thank you so much for the lovely service you held for us today. It was beautiful and we will always be grateful to you for making it such a gentle and loving goodbye to our dad. 

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Many many thanks Rosa 

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The circumstances surrounding my Uncle’s funeral were challenging due to his wife suffering from severe dementia. Sonja invested a morning with me, just chatting about my Uncle, and yet, during this time was able to gain sufficient details to construct the service.

Prior to the funeral she was in regular contact, as she drew everything together. On the day she spent a lot of time both before and after the service, just talking to people, almost as if she knew them, recalling details I had provided during our previous conversations.

The service itself was beautifully presented, moving and dignified. Afterwards, many of the mourners commented “how lovely “ it was. Later, Sonja called and spent an hour with me, during which time she gave me a memorial book of the service, and perhaps more importantly, just chatted, to make sure all was well. I can see that to some recently bereaved, this could be a real benefit and once again confirms her desire to make a difference.

Having now experienced the way Sonja conducts a celebration of life, it is apparent that this is not merely a commercial exercise for her, but that she genuinely cares about people. I would not hesitate to use her services again, or recommend her to others

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Gwyn Bartlett

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Sonja was our celebrant at my mum’s funeral, in October 2022.

My First thought when organising this was; how on earth are we going to find someone who can really describe and know my mum without ever meeting her?

How is this person going to deliver a speech without being formulaic,

forced, or unnatural?

A huge task. Would I ever find the right person for such an important day?

I was advised by B Matthew’s funeral directors to meet and talk with Sonja. Immediately Sonja had the ability to listen, ask the right questions, and begin to gather the information needed to understand what my mum was about.

She looked at my mum’s things, was spiritual and asked the right questions

Sonja put all the information together and created a stunning

and breath taking first draft.

I spoke with Sonja almost daily back and forth with little details I’d forgotten or needed to add extra information in. Nothing was too much trouble for Sonja, who patiently made alterations until we had created the perfect service.

Sonja would have quite literally jumped through hoops to achieve the right outcome for my mum and me.

On the day Sonja delivered a professional, detailed, funny and completely natural account of my mum’s life.

For this, I thank her so very much.

Sonja, on her own accord, created a book for me with all the pictures, words, details and momentos of the funeral.

I absolutely treasure this and is above and beyond what I ever could have imagined or expected.

 

Sonja quite honestly turned what was the worst time of my life into precious, wonderful memories.

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Lots of love Lara x

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Dear Sonja,

I’m at home now with a cup of tea and just opened your keepsake,I honestly can’t thank you enough. 

Everyone thought you and Dad were old friends by the way you spoke so dearly of him and with such genuine warmth.  I think if he could have chosen you himself he would have. 
I’ve never met anyone more suited to the job you do and I was honoured to have your help and support in giving my Dad the send off he deserved. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart..

With love

Jenny xx

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Good morning Sonja,

 

I just wanted to thank you again for an amazing service yesterday, everyone said that it was one of the  best send-off’s that they had ever been to and that was largely down to your fantastic delivery and insight into Thelma’s life, it was as if you had always known her.

 

It will forever be appreciated.

 

Kind regards

 

Kevin

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Hi Sonja

 

I know you are the right person to celebrates Julie’s mums Life and so pleased that you are able to do it.

 

I’ll never be able to thank you enough for the perfect celebration you gave mum, everyone still talks about it now, and how amazing you were.

 

Some people come in to the world to spread joy, love and hope you are that person Sonja.

 

Thank you.

 

Many thanks

Joanne

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Fran Greenan

Southampton

Independent Review, 24th May 2023

Very professional & considerate service

Until Jo passed away, we hadn't had any experience of organising a funeral. We were very glad that we chose B Matthews to manage it for us. Sam was great, (I had a preconceived idea about funeral staff being terribly sombre and a bit stiff). But Sam was very personable and approachable, sensitive to our needs. She took the time to explain and talk us through the various steps and the options available. There were no hidden costs and no pressure to choose a particular package, when we were choosing the casket for example. The staff were thoughtful and accommodating when we wanted to pay our respects to Jo on a number of visits including a Saturday evening. On the day of Jo's service, B Matthews' staff were very professional, respectful and organised and made the family feel looked after. Lastly, a special mention for Sonja our celebrant who lead the service on the day and put in so much time, effort and enthusiasm into learning about Jo and making a brilliant tribute to her on the day. Thank you all so much.

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Hi Sonja

 

Testimonial

 

Sonja was recommended to us by A H Rogers and what a find she is. From her visit to my home she made myself and my children so at ease after the loss of my wonderful wife. Her questions about my wife and family were dealt with empathy and humour and the service she conducted was meticulous in every detail in regards to the life of my dear wife. The communication both before and after were second to none and the printed copy of the whole service as a keepsake was so much appreciated and a lovely thought. If you need a Celebrant look no further than Sonja. A huge thank you from the Davies family xxx

 

Kind regards

 

John xxx

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Dear Sonja

 

Thank you for taking the time to create such a very personal service for my father. I believe it was very much what he would have wanted, whilst providing some ceremony for us to grieve.

 

Thank you also for the beautiful keepsake of the day which I will be sharing with my mother and my sister.

 

Warmest wishes and thanks

 

Jonathan

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Dear Sonja

 

Thank you so very much for making Friday’s service for Helen so special for us all. You have been an absolute pleasure to work with on all of this and I’m so grateful to you for your warmth, thoughtfulness and spirit throughout.

 

You made a very difficult day much more manageable.

 

With warmest wishes, Rachel

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Good evening Sonja

 

I just wanted to say a massive thank you for the service you did for our mum. I thought the way you came across was so wonderful,  sincere and warming, my relatives actually thought you had been friends with mum for many years.  

When I said I only met you a week ago they were shocked. 

 

Thank you again.

 

Best wishes

Simon

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Dear Sonja

Thank you so much for leading such a beautiful service for us. We could not have been happier with it. You were so kind to us all and my mother really appreciated all your words and help.  I did not have the chance to thank you on the day as there were just so many people, quite overwhelming actually, but lovely to have them all there.

Thank you once again.

Best wishes
Charlie

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Hi Sonja

 

Thank you so much for all the care and attention you put into Dads funeral 

You really did make a very difficult day special.

 

All the very best

 

Mark 

 

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