Sonja Gundry Independent Celebrant
for
A Reason A Season
a Lifetime of Memories
Heart Warmth
&
Empathy
"to mourn a death, to celebrate a life and bring comfort to the living"
Kindness
May you carry love hearts with warmth
Let us have joy in sharing memories
Allow yourself to laugh a little
With self love release tears that bind your emotions
Step gentle into each new day and
embrace yourself with kindness
Sonja Gundry
My Passion My work
As a sound therapist my journey has been about helping people, working with those dealing with illness,
Life limiting illnesses the families, carers and deep grief and loss.
It is this path that has lead me to become a celebrant to be able work closely with you to create the story of your loved ones to weave your thoughts, memories and feelings with
heart, warmth and empathy.
To create a unique celebration of their life that speaks of them their thoughts, their passions, their feelings sense of humour
of how they lived their lives .
To enable time to share your love and grief openly with family and friends with sensitivity and compassion.
To embrace your loss with respect, honour and spirit
Creating a Beautiful Atmosphere
for
Your Loved One's Funeral
Scattering or Internment
of Ashes
or
Memorial services
At this time difficult time I am here to support you and your family.
I will guide you through how the services evolve asking you and listening about your wishes feelings and memories.
How I can create a unique celebration
Involving family and friends with readings poems, dancing, motor bikes,
favourite food, drink hamper
Things that touch your hearts.
My work is authentic from the heart and
I am able to create atmospheric celebrations at a crematorium, grave side or in a place of special meaning to you.
In your garden by the sea listening to the
ebb and flow of the waves, at a golf course
a beauty spot you love
I will create a lasting memory in the form
of a lovely
Service Folder
with the Opening Words, Eulogy ,
Poems and readings
please note in some cases
official permission will be required
Ethereal Sound
To enhance your celebration of life you may like to incorporate the ethereal sound of a therapy harp, Drum, Himalayan bowls, crystals bowls or other therapeutic instruments they may be played alone
or with a poetry reading
Unique Celebrations
Bespoke items made by me for your loved ones and adding in their interests so their Celebration of Life
speaks of them
My Association
I am a member of
The Professional Fellowship of Celebrants
I work with
Heidi Early
Floral Designer
www.facebook.com/therightbunch
0734910083
Funeral Directors
Call Charlie
at
AH Rogers Funeral Directors
02380 612435 Eastleigh
Call at Sarah
AH Rogers
Hedge End Branch
01489 788677
All
B Matthews Funeral Directors
Call Gill at Woolston Branch
02380 447965
Call Sam at Shirley Branch
02380 702777
Call Lisa at Paul Cappers
Eastleigh
02380 642929
Richard Steels & Partners
Call Lee or Russ
at
Richard Steels & Partners
Winchester
01962 862333
Call Phil
on
Steels Branch Bishops Waltham
01489 892640
You may request me to work
with your own
funeral director
My Sound Therapy
For more information about working with
grief and loss please visit
Working with Wessex Cancer
with Clients with Cancer,
The Carers
& The Bereaved
I use Sound Therapy for end of life care,
alternative and complimentary therapies
have been found to be beneficial with relaxation and release of pain, anxiety and bring comfort.
My sound may be used
in conjunction with clients' prescribed medication care plan.
I offer support
to those in and near end of life
please call me to discuss.
TESTIMONIALS
“ We were very pleased to have Sonja as the celebrant for my fathers funeral.
She was very caring and considerate in preparing the funeral, with a lot of attention to detail to make sure everything was just as the family wanted it.
On the day the service went very smoothly with Sonja a calm and reassuring presence leading the service.
After the service she delivered a lovely folder with details of the service and reading
which was a lovely touch.
The family would thoroughly recommend Sonja as a funeral celebrant "
The Gee family Romsey
"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!"
The Gray Family Eastleigh
"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
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
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
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.
Many many thanks Rosa
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
Gwyn Bartlett
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.
Lots of love Lara x
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Please contact me to discuss
your loved ones
Processional Independent
Celebrant
Sonja Gundry
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
09.00 -18.00 hrs
Saturday
10.00 till 13.00hrs
Southampton
SO19 4DG
07739019565
TESTIMONIALS
Family Celebrations
Sonja wrote the most beautiful poem for our wedding ceremony it spoke from our hearts of our feelings and our memories.
It was a civil ceremony but she created the poem and it gave it such a special feel
Thank you Sonja
Jo Canterbury