‘Celebrations of Life’ and ‘Funeral cremations’ strike a real personal cord for me. My best friend, my hero, my dad, passed away over 10 years ago. His funeral was something that I look back on, though incredibly tough, as such a beautiful send off.

I remember the day I wrote my dad’s eulogy as if it were yesterday; I didn’t just write words for a service, I wrote a tribute to a life that inspired everyone he met, a celebration salute to a man who shaped who I am. That moment was more than just a personal loss; it was a turning point - Reading his eulogy out loud at his funeral, surrounded by family and friends, capturing my dad’s essence, whether I realized it or not; a spark was ignited in me… that I wanted to help other families do the same. Help them navigate this chapter with the same care, sense of purpose and pride that we have for our loved ones.

What made it so special was the way it was organised; I made it a day of colour, no black clothes and even told his ex ‘London Welsh’ rugby team mates to wear their original 70’s rugby shirts, some (well mostly all) airing a little bit on the tight side. I interspersed his favourite music through out, of Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire with poetry read by myself from Dylan Thomas (being the proud Welshman he was). The tribute I wrote and delivered celebrated his incredible life, flipping between comic timing and sensitive heartfelt storytelling that had the crematorium guests laughing and crying in equal measure over this broad shouldered, always smiling, beautiful souled, chunky calved, Chateauneuf-du-pape loving man - my wondrous dad, Dai boi Jones.