Hilary Steel
I’ve always been fascinated by people’s stories and I guess being nosey helps in my role as a celebrant.
A Geek Who is Also a Creative Storyteller
The Celebrant
Becoming a celebrant wasn’t a career move I planned, it was something life led me toward. After caring for my parents for eight and a half years and losing them just three months apart, I came to understand how powerful it is when someone’s story is told properly at the end of their life.
That experience inspired me to train as a Funeral Celebrant and later as a Grief Practitioner, so that I could support families not only in creating a meaningful ceremony, but also in navigating the emotional journey that comes with loss.
At heart, I’m a storyteller. Every ceremony I lead is about capturing the character, humour, quirks and love that made someone unique, and helping the people who loved them gather, remember and say goodbye in a way that truly matters.
Starting with a blank piece of paper leads to some of the most honest and true stories.
Beyond The Role
Away from ceremonies and writing, life is usually a little less formal. You’ll often find me out walking across the Kent countryside with my dog Spud, experimenting with something new in the kitchen, or scribbling ideas for my next book. I’ve always enjoyed the quieter moments where life slows down and there’s space simply to be.
Those everyday moments have a way of reminding me what really matters. . In many ways, they are the small pieces that make up a life. And perhaps that’s why the work I do as a celebrant means so much to me, because when we gather to remember someone, it’s often those simple moments that become the memories people treasure most.
Spud keeps me grounded and reminds me daily that the simplest moments are often the most meaningful.