Independent Civil Celebrant?
Fiona Bennett-Heritage is a Member of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants.
Fiona was born in Cardiff in 1962. She won a scholarship to study the piano at the Royal Welsh College of Music in 1976 and, having gained her LTCL Performer’s Diploma at the age of 17, she moved to London to continue her training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 1983.
Fiona worked as a singer, pianist, songwriter, composer and bandleader for most of her professional life but when her younger son was diagnosed with autism in 2006, she put her career on the back burner to support him during his early school years. Zachary passed all his GCSEs in the summer of 2018 and, although Fiona was still composing piano music (both her classical albums reached the Classic FM ‘Hall of Fame’ Top 300), she decided she wanted to do something with her life which would allow her to help and support others and so she contacted Terri Shanks (a renowned Celebrant), and in December 2018, she became a member of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants.
“Fiona was a delight to have on the training course, she brought a combination of sensitivity & empathy with her natural bubbly personality and sense of fun, I have absolutely no doubt that she is going to go on to make a wonderful Celebrant and will help many bereaved families to be able to celebrate the lives of their loved ones in the most uplifting way, whilst still sensitively acknowledging their grief.”
Terri Shanks
What is a Celebrant?
Whether it be a funeral service, a wedding ceremony, a baby naming ceremony or the renewal of your wedding vows, your chosen Celebrant will help create a wonderful celebration of your story. In the case of a lost loved one, Fiona will meet with you and, using your precious memories, and she will craft a unique, memorable funeral service - one which will help you remember and celebrate their life. She is happy to write and present the entire service but is always keen to have family members take part, for example, with the reading of poems or personal tributes. ‘Your ceremony, your choice’ is the motto of Heritage Celebrant Services, and Fiona will always take into account your requests as she tailors the funeral service to your requirements. Saying ‘Goodbye’ to a loved one is one of the most challenging things to do, but Fiona will help and support you throughout the planning stages, right up until the day of the funeral.