KIND WORDS FROM MY CLIENTS…
JOYCE DUNLOP
I would like to share my heartfelt experience of the most beautiful service conducted by celebrant Isabel Addison at my brother David’s funeral on 31/01/22. Isabel was such great support and comfort to our whole family.
At the service, she captured and delivered my brother’s spirit in such a loving and caring way that it felt like she had known him all of his life. We will never forget her and will always be indebted to the care and comfort she has shown us all during this difficult time. Thank you so much Isabel. Regards Joyce Dunlop.
STEVEN SMITH
Having recently had the need to use Isabel’s services, I cannot begin to express the sincerity, empathy, compassion & warmth that she demonstrated at every stage in what is a difficult and emotional journey.
Her personality and professionalism not only made this process as painless as possible but also helped with the grieving process. The service that was delivered was a warm and fitting tribute! I would highly recommend Isabel to anybody in need of her services!
WILLIAM FORREST
After the sad loss of my mother, we didn’t want someone who let’s say didn’t have the vest for life holding the service. I was put in touch with Isabel. She called us back right away to make an appointment to come see us.
She arrived early & helped put us at ease in a very hard time. We decided to try to put across my mum’s fun & adventurous side. Isabel went away & within a few days, I got an email with the rough draft of the eulogy.
It was as good as the family had hoped just a snap shot of mums life. The service was tastefully funny but respectful too. She did my mum & our family proud. Would recommend Isabel to anyone that wants a personal service for their loved ones.
GAY ATHERTON
Isabel is a close friend of mine. When Mum died in January this year Isabel supported me as a friend and also in her role as Celebrant. The time Mum died was in the midst of Covid restrictions which had been hard for me not being able to visit her in the care home until she was nearing the end of life.
To help Izzie prepare Mum’s Eulogy she came to the house. We sat at the kitchen table looking at photos and I was able to talk about Mum and the happier times we had spent together. After this the order of the Funeral was put together, songs were chosen and as Mum loved poetry a few of those were added. During the whole process, Izzie was able to advise on what we were able to do and what to expect on the day. I’m sure Mum would approve of her Funeral it highlighted what a wonderful lady she was and Izzie told her life story perfectly.
Being given a typed copy of the script and words to the songs sung presented in a personalised folder is lovely to be given afterwards. I wholeheartedly recommend Isabel she is extremely passionate about delivering a compassionate and professional service.
PAMELA MELLOR
Our family lost my dad, husband & granda (Frank) in January 2021. I had to organise our goodbyes and I was put in touch with Isabel. Isabel met with my mum and I and it was instantly like she was a friend. We talked about my dad and laughed at a very sad time at the stories mum and I had to share.
The eulogy that Isabel gave at the graveside was so true… true to who he was and we cannot thank her enough for helping us remember him with great fondness. Saying goodbye is so difficult but Isabel helped us so much… through the tears and the happy memories! For my first experience of having to organise everything for the passing of a loved one and remembering their life, I cannot recommend Isabel highly enough. Thank you so much… Pamela, Monica, Graham, Ryan & Abbie
CHRISTINA DINNIE
Isabel led the service for both my auntie and my dad’s funeral in 2020. From the moment the family met Isabel we felt comfortable in her presence and were able to ensure all the wishes of my auntie and dad were considered.
Throughout the process, Isabel maintained constant contact ensuring the services were what the family wished it to be and made sure everything was approved in plenty of time prior to the day. The services were each handled beautifully and very much a reflection of both my auntie and my dad. Thank you so much for everything you did Isabel.
SHONA PEARSON
Isabel came to our house to do our funeral wishes. Straight away she assured and reassured us she was independent, so it was totally up to us if it was religious, or followed any beliefs. Isabel gave us plenty of time as although we were prepared in part it was still emotional. Isabel gave us guidance, hints, and suggestions when we asked but never put her views/beliefs across to us. I 100% would recommend Isabel and her services.
JESSIE HARE
Isabel took care of the eulogy and moderation for my father’s cremation service. Not only did the eulogy highlight my dad’s special moments and characteristics with all family members and friends, but Isabel speaks and writes with passion and care, which helped make the setting less painful. She managed to make us smile when we thought we might never smile again. I really recommend Isabel’s services because of her passionate and caring, but still very professional work. Thank you again, Isabel, I will cherish your words forever.
JAY HARE
In between the mayhem and uncertainty of the major COVID-19 lockdowns during 2020, our hearts as a family were broken when we were informed that our beloved Brother had passed away, unexpectedly.
Unlike many deaths during this time this was not due to the epidemic, but due to heart complications from a strong, capable and physically fit individual. A complete shock from a person who was larger than life in both presence and stature.
A confident and extremely fit giant of a man that loved the Highlands as if it were his birthplace and enjoyed the peace, beauty, tranquillity and magnitude of the local area. He revelled in this place that offered so much to see and do and this appealed to his adventurous spirit along with the many close friends he made in the years he lived in Aberdeenshire. He was one of three brothers, a brother to five sisters and a doting and loving father to a son and two daughters.
The passing of Rolfe Hare at 59 years old not only shook the foundations of his family to the core but also that of the local community in which he lived and worked. For family members left behind and in the local area including close friends, there comes the daunting, drawn-out, often awkward, emotional planning of an unexpected death. Coupled with grief and sorrow, as many reading, this will understand, is a complete minefield in knowing what to do, when to do it, how to do it, how to please everyone and abide by their wishes.
Yet stick to the aforementioned and previous conversations with the deceased over libations on past evenings on this eventuality. Something that when spoke about seemed to be decades away and mere passing comment at the time; yet there we found ourselves. He had gone, he had left us.
How do we deal with the funeral arrangements, what sort of service, who says what, what happens where and how do we support those in the family who may require to support? So many questions, but most importantly how do we celebrate the life of our beloved Rolfe. Enter Isabel Addison at ‘Legacy’. A friend of the family and well respected as a celebrant, Izzy has the aptitude and understanding to help with these difficult questions and this trying period in any family’s life.
She understands first-hand the pain of loss and the fog of grief and sorrow that descends. Isabel was able to be a beacon to our family and lead the way in how the ceremony was to be laid out and how to handle this tender issue. She spent time speaking with family and friends, researching Rolfe’s personality, traits, interests, and most importantly his humour. Delving into his childhood, family life, sporting endeavours, entertaining stories and anecdotes of happier times and in turn unearthing our brothers character and legacy which he left behind.
This helped everyone to come to terms with their sorrow and be able to accept the funeral and wake as a celebration of life and impart their own fond memories. This was done with passion, empathy, sympathy and a personal touch. We still keep in touch with Isabel as she tentatively asks how everyone is now and if there is anything she can still do, almost a year on.
We consider her a friend of the family, someone who guided us when we needed a helping hand. Her dedication and approach is second to none in her role as a celebrant. Although I sincerely hope you should never need her services, I would wholeheartedly recommend her. Rest assured, she will be there, ready and willing to help you, as she has done for us and many others.