Daisy Marsden | Wedding and Funeral Celebrant

Hello, my name is Daisy Marsden and I am your Family, wedding and funeral celebrant here in Essex. I'm from West Yorkshire stock but was born and raised in North-East Essex where I now live with my family.

I am raising two young children in a rural setting which prompts me to think deeply on how we mark the passing of time and the many thousands of milestones we reach throughout our lifetimes.

I am inspired by the changing seasons and the opportunities we have to commune with nature as part of the significant changes and big moments of our lives. When not working as a celebrant you can find me with my nose in a book, at the pub with friends, or running a small local youth theatre in the town where I live. I was raised by atheists but educated in a Church of England School. These childhood experiences taught me the power of religious rites and ceremonies from the safe distance of being an “unbeliever”.

Drawn to the sense of ceremony and ritual that can be found in the theatre, like many celebrants, I began as an actor. Through my work, my sense of empathy and curiosity deepened. After completing a masters degree, I found that teaching and directing young actors in drama schools combined a sense of magic and storytelling with human connection, which I relished. I have always found people endlessly fascinating, and I feel so lucky to help couples and families tell their stories, lean into that sense of ceremonial importance, and mark rites of passage in an elevated way that is unique to them. I became a celebrant when someone very close to me died and requested they not have a funeral.

This experience taught me that ceremonies, particularly funeral rites, are so important and I knew I had to explore further. I found the UK Society of Celebrants and a wonderful training that opened my heart and mind to the world of non-religious ceremony.

I am based in North-East Essex but am happy to travel anywhere in East Anglia - further, if you are keen to create something of particular interest! People needn’t feel excluded from a sense of the sacred because they aren’t a member of a mainstream religion.

Ceremonies solemn and joyful should be for everyone! My approach is informed by my politics – I am an ally to queer, trans and non-binary folks and I will encourage and support sustainable environmental choices wherever possible.

I am relaxed, friendly and very open-minded and will sit with you at your home or a location of your choice and guide you through a basic ceremony structure. From here we can work together to create a ceremony which reflects your choices, your needs, your way.

I can either take the reins for those clients who aren't confident making big decisions, or I can empower you to get creative and facilitate your taste, ideas and designs. One major benefit of not choosing a religious ceremony is that you will not be constrained by the standard institutional traditions that come with organised belief systems. However, you can take inspiration from them and borrow heavily! Whether you are in the thick fog of grief having to organise a funeral unexpectedly, or in the giddy throes of wedding planning, I will listen and transform your ideas into a reality that honours the moment.

I love my work and my passion for people, stories and pageantry makes me a great choice as your celebrant, both in the preparation of your important milestone, and on the day I deliver something special to you and your guests. I look forward to meeting with you and making your ideas come to life in way you can treasure and remember for a lifetime.