Helen Thomas

Helen is an experienced Funeral Celebrant and enjoys working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experience. While happy working with clients in a Christian setting Helen's special interest is in assisting those with minimal or no religious links. Helen works with family and friends to come to an understanding of the issues involved in the death and to create a ceremony that is meaningful for them and appropriate for the person who has died.

Helen's early training was in teaching and she has since worked in the Citizens' Advice Bureau and as a workplace chaplain. She has had a strong Christian upbringing and was active for many years as a lay leader in the Methodist church. Her personal life experience is also wide. Helen has known the loss of her father, step-father, in-laws and her closest friend. Helen has also experienced the pain of marriage separation and divorce. She has gone on to rebuild her family life with a new partner. Helen has two adult children and five grandchildren.

Graham Small

Graham has worked as a celebrant throughout the Wellington region since 1993. He has considerable experience (both personal and vocational) in coping with grief. Before his 30th birthday he suffered four significant bereavements. As a former minister, visiting hospital and prison chaplain, and bereavement care co-ordinator with the Te Omanga Hospice he was in frequent support of grieving people.

Graham has completed a certified course Death and Bereavement in Contemporary Society and contributed to an international conference (on the same theme) in London, while studying at the prototype of all hospices - St Christopher's.

For two years in the early 1990's Graham was unable to work due to severe ill health. As a result of this difficult time, together with his previous experiences, he can identify with the frustration of helplessness, and the need of understanding support.

Graham is married to Margaret, a former hospice nurse and trained counsellor. They live in Upper Hutt, with two sons and their families living nearby, they are kept engaged and active!

Clare Brockett

Clare has 13 years experience as a funeral celebrant. She has worked with young children, teenagers, families and the elderly. Clare also works as a spiritual carer for elderly people in rest homes and has had previous experience as a hospice chaplain.

Clare believes everyone deserves compassion and guidance when organising a funeral. At a time when emotion can be deeply felt, she will help you reflect on and plan what is most meaningful for your situation. Her funeral services are personal, creative and often involve both tears and laughter.

It is important to Clare that the beliefs of the person who has died and the beliefs of the family/friends arranging the funeral are respected. She can help you choose the mix of spiritual and secular elements that is right for you from a range of inspiring resources.