David Kidd | Funeral Celebrant

Funeral Celebrant in Essex

My name is David Kidd and I’m your funeral celebrant in Essex and east London. I am based in Brentwood, Essex, where I share an eccentric little old cottage with my wife and stepson. I also have two adult children.

I grew up in Essex and spent more than 30 years working as a journalist. I was chief sports writer for four different national newspapers, travelling the world to cover the biggest sporting events.

With a background in writing and broadcasting, a strong sense of empathy and a keen interest in people’s life stories, I decided to become a funeral celebrant.

When my father died, our funeral celebrant offered a brilliant service. As well as leading an excellent celebration of Dad’s life, she helped my Mum and the rest of our family in our grieving process. I felt I could do the same and wanted to explore such a deeply meaningful and worthwhile career, helping people on their journey through loss and grief.

As your funeral celebrant, I offer you a personal, bespoke service in providing a true celebration of your loved one’s life at a cremation, burial or memorial service.

Before leading the ceremony, I will visit you in the comfort of your home, or another convenient location of your choice, to speak with you and other family members or close friends.

With warmth, patience, sensitivity and empathy, you will be encouraged to share your precious memories, anecdotes and tributes in order for us to create a full reflection of a life, however long or short.

The ceremony will be specially tailored to your loved one. This is no cut-and-paste job. We will project the essence of the person, what made them tick and what made them so special to you.

A funeral or memorial service can often be an occasion for joy and laughter, as well as sadness, as we fondly remember the good times you shared together.

After our meeting, I will craft the ceremony and provide you with a copy of my words, so that you can make amendments or additions.

I will always be available by phone or email to consult with you. I will be there to guide and help you during such a difficult time.

You, your family and friends can deliver your own personal eulogies, or readings of poetry and prose, as part of the ceremony. You can choose some favourite pieces of music, as well as photographic tributes. Religious content, including hymns and prayers, can be included, though these are by no means essential.

We will celebrate your loved one with love and respect. Together, we will do them proud.

Before we meet, here’s a little more about my life away from work.

I enjoy watching and playing sports, especially football and cricket. My son and I are season-ticket holders at Fulham FC. I am also a devout music lover. Despite my advancing years, I am a singer in an indie rock band as well as a keen karaoke performer, gig-goer and vinyl record collector.

I love long walks with our labrador in the countryside of our hugely-underrated and beautiful county and I am also a keen traveller, with my favourite destinations being Argentina and Spain – where I attempt to put my intermediate Spanish to use – as well as Italy.

My other enthusiasms include cooking and eating good food, reading and writing good books and drinking and quizzing in good pubs.