Meet Lucy Biggs: Macclesfield's new funeral celebrant with strong community values
A Macclesfield resident has started a new profession as a funeral celebrant.
Lucy Biggs is an independent celebrant, who has lived in Macclesfield for eight years.
She specialises in being a celebrant for funerals only, performing the rite to celebrate someone's life.
The ex-design academic and writer prides herself on working in the Macclesfield area, conducting funeral ceremonies under the moniker Present Ascent.
"At the heart of my work is creating the time and space to mark the life and death of someone that you love, in a way that feels right to you," said Lucy.
"I offer something that is personalised, creative and meaningful to the individual.
"What I write for each ceremony is bespoke. Whilst I naturally reference previous ceremonies, I consider carefully whether or not each word or element is suited to that individual and the context of their life and death.
"I am an open minded to the possibilities of what a funeral ceremony can be.
"Many don't know that a funeral that can take place almost anywhere, both with or without the person who has died, and their coffin. Whether that is in your home, a woodland or other venue.
"I believe in something 'greater than' ourselves, though I don't belong to any one religion — therefore, I'm an independent celebrant rather than a humanist celebrant."
The benefit of that is that Lucy can appeal to many.
"I spend as much time with a family as is required to establish what they are hoping for in a ceremony, along with learning about the person for whom the funeral is for." she explained.
"I work both alongside funeral directors and also with families directly, if they are organising a celebration of life or memorial service themselves, say.
Celebrants are one of the few professions in the world that are self-employed.
This means 100% of a celebrant's fee is going towards supporting a local individual.
This is as it is a new profession, no more than fifty years old.
Oher celebrants do weddings and naming ceremonies.
However, it is only funerals that Lucy has chosen to specialise in, after getting into the profession following the death of her baby Reuben, who was stillborn at 36 weeks gestation in 2018.
Lucy now channels her personal experience positively by being present for other families as they navigate their own loss and grief.
"I work within a 15-mile radius of Macclesfield. I am happy to work further afield, but I enjoy working in our town the most as I hold its people very dear. Being a celebrant is naturally wedded to community.
Coincidentally (but conveniently), Lucy lives in west Macclesfield near the Crematorium. However, she has lived here before she embarked on her new profession.
"I believe the societal value of funerals altered during the pandemic," she added.
"When the ability to attend was taken away, we realised the precious value of this right of passage in the grieving process - for individuals, families and communities.
"I take great care to listen – gently and openly – to the wishes of an individual or family, helping them to honour their special person in the way feels right to them.
"I'm passionate about the funeral space, ensuring good quality care and provision - that is why I do it."
Lucy will work with you to weave elements together into a ceremony which reflects the uniqueness of a life.
By holding joy as well as sadness during this time, she believes it is possible to create a funeral which is both a celebration and a lament.
She also gives a copy of the script to each family, preparing and binding it by hand.
In the near future, she hopes to build relationships with local wedding venue owners to discuss the use of their spaces for funeral ceremonies, including 'Celebration of Life' and memorial events.
She also hopes to maintain her high standard of service for the community.
Lucy also co-runs a networking platform for local women called She Works-Macc.
They run three not-for-profit events a year, raising money for charity.
Their next event is at The Fountain on Sunderland Street.
"I started the group during the pandemic with another friend of mine, also called Lucy, as a way for us to come together in lockdown," she recalled.
"I have met so many amazing local people through it, as we enter our third year."
"I love living in Macclesfield. It is so close to Manchester yet it's great to be at the edge of the Peak District. It's also so easy to get to the Lakes or London and we love the community.
"I love the people here - they are down to earth, open hearted and inspiring. Our community has been our refuge as a family throughout some of the most challenging years of our lives since losing Reuben – I'm forever grateful for that."
Macclesfield: Find more about Lucy Biggs Present Ascent Funeral Celebrant Cheshire and how to work alongside her on her website.
Testimonials from local people can also be found here, and on her website.
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