Susan Fraser - Independent Ceremonies

07/02/2025

So I talk a lot about being a celebrant, always telling people how much I love what I do, how it is a vocation rather than just a job.

Lots of people ask me about how it works, what it's like and then, if I think they could be a celebrant too. So many people asked me, that I started running Considering Celebrancy workshops to cover all of those questions and a lot more besides.

If you are one of those interested people, then the next workshop is running online on Saturday 22nd February, 12noon to 3pm.

You can book here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/considering-celebrancy-tickets-1142553150229?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/02/2025

We decided that this is a "celebration" of Celebrants... spending our weekend visiting the shiny new Bishopbriggs Crematorium... with Susan Chown Celebrant and Fiona Wi******er!
We might all do our work individually, but the network around you is so important in what we do!

26/01/2025

All ready to go at Broomhall Castle Weddings ! Here till 3!

25/01/2025

Looking forward to meeting lots of lovely couples at tomorrow's Wedding Fayre at Broomhall Castle, just up the road in Menstrie. If you are about, drop in and say "Hi"

24/01/2025

What happens when there's a red warning storm on but you can't let down a family, so your service still goes ahead.... ?
You have to put up with the hardship of waiting out the storm in a rather lovely 4 star hotel.
Life is tough sometimes.

Thank you for looking after me... Huntingtower Hotel

19/12/2024

It’s ok not to be ok. We support the work done by our partner agencies this Christmas:

Samaritans - 116 123
Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87 (Mon-Thu 6pm-2am/Fri 6pm-Mon 6am)
Childline - 0800 1111
NHS24 - 111 (999 in an emergency)
Text Shout to 85258
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de - 0800 068 4141
Men Matter Scotland - 0141 944 7900
Scotland's Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline - 0800 027 1234
LGBT Health & Wellbeing - 0800 464 7000

02/09/2024

I was really honoured to be asked to be part of consecrating the new natural burial ground in Alva. It is a really lovely spot, just what you would want for a woodland burial, and I very much look forward to conducting ceremonies there in the future.

At the service, part of my contribution was to read a poem by the lovely Pam Ayres, called Woodland Burial. It just sums up perfectly why people would chose a natural site for themselves or a loved one.

Woodland Burial, by Pam Ayres.

Don’t lay me in some gloomy churchyard shaded by a wall
Where the dust of ancient bones has spread a dryness over all,
Lay me in some leafy loam where, sheltered from the cold
Little seeds investigate and tender leaves unfold.
There kindly and affectionately, plant a native tree
To grow resplendent before God and hold some part of me.
The roots will not disturb me as they wend their peaceful way
To build the fine and bountiful, from closure and decay.
To seek their small requirements so that when their work is done
I’ll be tall and standing strongly in the beauty of the sun.

FAMILIES will now be able give their loved ones an alternative send-off as a woodland burial ground opened in Alva.

15/06/2024

What do celebrants called Susan from Clackmannanshire do on the weekends? Well there are two of us and we both play in Saltire Steel, Scotland's biggest and best Steel band! Loving being out in the sunshine with my dear friend Susan Chown Celebrant playing drums in Bridge of Allan today!

What does Susan Chown Celebrant do at the weekend? She finds another Celebrant called Susan to play with! Here I am with Susan Fraser of Independent Ceremonies ready to play at the second of two gigs today with Saltire Steel band. This was my first experience of playing with the band and it was lovely to have some friendly support in the sunshine! Xx

20/05/2024

Very pleased to have been involved in this event for the Scottish Independent Celebrants Association. I got to be one of the "family and friends" speaking at one of the staged celebration of life services. I was told I was "very convincing," which is high praise coming from an audience of other celebrants and their friends.

 The initiative Good Life Good Death Good Grief organizes a week of activities each May to raise awareness of issues around end of life, death and funerals. It coincides with Dying Matters Week in England and Wales. This year SICA (Scottish

06/04/2024

With a similar scheme being launched in England, a wee reminder for anyone affected here in Scotland that we already have a memorial book and certificate available to anyone affected here.

This brings comfort to many who have lost a baby in early pregnancy, just to be recognised as parents to someone who was already so present in their lives, to have their baby's name recorded and known, can mean so much.

What is the Memorial Book? The Memorial Book of Pregnancy and Baby Loss Prior to 24 Weeks (“the Memorial Book”) is a commemorative record held by the National Records of Scotland (NRS). It offers the opportunity to provide recognition and may offer comfort to those who wish to have a record of t...

04/04/2024

Emma Johnstone says fraudsters attempted to steal money from mourners via a bogus live stream.