whiteballoon member Kirstie Atherton, a Cheshire based award-winning funeral celebrant, is the first in the world to be awarded a brand new qualification in Advanced Practice Funeral Celebrancy. This qualification marks a significant leap forward in a sector facing enormous change.
Having qualified as a funeral celebrant in 2021, Kirstie has been officiating end-of-life rituals across the northwest and beyond ever since.
Absolutely passionate about supporting people in the most challenging of times of their lives, Kirstie dedicates her time to helping people to create the ceremonies they want and need, ones which heal not hurt.
Kirstie says “For far too long, people have been short-changed when it comes to the content of funerals. In expecting so little, we lose out on the huge opportunity for healing that funerals (when done well) can bring.
“People in grief deserve to be supported by well-qualified celebrants who bring their enormous wealth of creativity and commitment with them and who are there to listen and to really get to know the person whose life is being remembered.”
Bec from Merseyside (whose family chose Kirstie as their celebrant) says: “Kirstie is quite frankly a magical person who was put on this earth for a great reason.”
In addition to designing, writing and delivering all sorts of end of life rituals (funerals, memorials, scattering ceremonies) Kirstie, who works nationally but mainly in the northwest, also supports individuals, families and organisations in pre-planning the content of funerals, so that more people are able to begin their grief journey in the smoothest, most comforting ways.
Ann Barber, Managing Director of the Ofsted Outstanding Training Organisation, Civil Ceremonies Ltd, who developed the new qualification in partnership with awarding body NOCN (National Open Colleges Network), says “We are thrilled that Kirstie has achieved this advanced level qualification. She is the first ever person to do so, and it is a huge achievement. Kirstie completed the course assignments at a very high standard and used the course materials to great effect. The Level 4 Diploma is all about progression for practicing funeral celebrants and taking existing skills to a new level.”
To find out more about Kirstie and the services she offers, please visit Kirstie Atherton Celebrant.