About Josh Dawson
As an independent funeral celebrant, I am dedicated to creating memorable and authentic celebrations of loved ones' lives. Every person has a unique story, and I believe in crafting personalised funeral ceremonies that truly reflect their individuality and the impact they had on those around them.
My approach to funerals
I am passionate about honouring the diverse lives of the departed by creating meaningful and heartfelt ceremonies. I work carefully to weave together the beautiful moments, anecdotes, and values that defined the person who has passed away, ensuring that the funeral or memorial service is a touching tribute to their legacy.
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My dedication stems from a deep respect for the importance of commemorating life's journey in a way that resonates with those in attendance. Each ceremony is thoughtfully tailored to reflect the personality, passions, and beliefs of the deceased, fostering a sense of connection, comfort, and solace for those saying their farewells. My drive and understanding comes from my own experience of having arranged funerals for several close loved ones in recent years, and having been so grateful for the wonderful professionals I've encountered throughout that process.
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I believe that the importance of getting the tone right in a funeral service extends far beyond just the day of the ceremony. Firstly, it sets the tone for your loved one's legacy in the minds of those present, who are hearing the words of tribute and experiencing the day with you. But perhaps more importantly, it also sets the tone for your own onward grief journey, forming a lens through which you can remember and reflect on your loved one's life.
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Being an independent funeral celebrant means that I operate outside of any particular belief structure, such as religion or humanism, making the extent to which I can personalise ceremonies limitless.
Who I'm best suited to helping
It's always a great honour and privilege to help commemorate a loved one, and to tell the story of someone's life. We are all unique and have our own ways of telling that story and marking the passing of someone who is special to us. That's why funeral directors take great care and consideration when matching a celebrant to those planning a funeral, to make sure they are the right fit for them and the person who has died.
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I'm especially interested in helping, and feel I am best suited to those:
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That wish to have a celebratory tone to the funeral service, factoring in aspects such as humour, fondness, gratitude and even applause to the running order.
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Who'd like to factor in elements of personalisation to make sure the service truly reflects the life and soul of the person who has passed away.
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That don't want a religious or faith-focused ceremony, but instead want to make it wholly about the person who has died and the life they lived, utilising the wonderful technology available today to include fitting music and imagery to the service. Having said that, I am happy to also factor in some religious aspects such as prayers, hymns and readings, should it be the right thing for the person who has died and those celebrating them.
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As well as the approaches mentioned above, I'm also interested celebrating people who have passed away who had the following attributes:
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Nature lovers
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Those from academic and/or business backgrounds
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Those who'd be described as being neurodiverse, either diagnosed or considered
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Members of the LGBTQ+ communities
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Those who were especially outgoing and vibrant
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I am based in Banbury, North Oxfordshire and can help in arranging ceremonies throughout the county and beyond.
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Standards and training
​For my Celebrancy work, I qualified after training from, and remain a member of The Academy of Professional Celebrants.
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As I operate, I pledge to adopt The Funeral Celebrant Accord, which is a set of standards that should be adopted by excellent funeral celebrants, as prescribed by The Funeral Celebrancy Council.
Other work & qualifications
I undertake my celebrancy work alongside my current full time role as COO at renewable-energy specialist PR firm, Tamarindo. Feel free to visit my work bio or LinkedIn profile for more information.​
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I also hold the following qualifications:
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CIMA Adv Dip MA – Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting, CIMA
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CMI Level 7 Certificate – Strategic Management and Leadership Practice, Chartered Management Institute
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MBA – Master of Business Administration, Global Financial Services, Coventry University London
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BSc (Hons) – Ecology, University of Brighton
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