South Devon Funeral and Memorial Service Celebrant
40 years of experience.
Rich was first invited to lead a service in his late teens, and from this time has officiated at thousands of ceremonies over four decades, making him amongst the most experienced in his field. During his long career Rich has been a dedicated pioneer of the Celebration of Life style, offering a full choice of words, music and personalised elements.
Available for the creation of Weddings, Funerals, Child Naming as well as Memorial Services, in both public and private venues. Rich has a friendly, relaxed and easy presence that is guaranteed to put any gathering at ease, he will offer expert advice to create a truly memorable celebration.
Available for the creation of Weddings, Funerals, Child Naming as well as Memorial Services, in both public and private venues. Rich has a friendly, relaxed and easy presence that is guaranteed to put any gathering at ease, he will offer expert advice to create a truly memorable celebration.
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Who is Rich Sanders?- Three words, experienced, experienced and experienced - There are many people claiming to be experienced celebrants these days, you may ask yourself what makes him so special?
The truth is if anyone is contemplating employing a celebrant, it is important to ask a few essential questions. Firstly, exactly how long have they been a Celebrant, and how many services have they taken? - With Rich, there’s nothing to hide, it’s twenty-five years and several thousand !
Rich began his career and training with the church in the early 80’s, (please don’t click away), however he soon realised that he wanted to work in the community with people who often have an individual spirituality or humanist philosophy.
Finding that a personal belief is quite often just as valid as any that an established religion may offer. With a sincere curiosity for what he calls Creative Individual Spirituality, he is more interested in how people have found their personal peace in life than discussing or spouting his own philosophy. He also officiates at many humanistic celebrations of life.
Rich has always enjoyed learning about how people express themselves in life , he read Fine Art at Derby University, where he majored in Modern and Conceptual Ideas. It was here he learned how to take a rough idea and turn it into a reality. He always starts with a blank sheet, and using his experience he will guide and support families, couples and individuals to create something truly special and memorable.
Originally a Mental Health Worker, he went on to research Eastern Healing Techniques, and in order to professionally help his clients he went back to school and Qualified eight years ago, as an Integrated, CBT and Bereavement Counsellor. He is also a group facilitator for the Happiness Laboratory using Positive Psychology to help people to get back on their feet again after trauma. He runs an affordable counselling service from his home.
Around Torbay where he has made his home for the last twelve years, Rich serves his local community as a leader and co-founder of The Torbay Stroke Survivors and is also employed as a community connector, and national group network volunteer for the Stroke Association. Since 2018, he has been privileged to become a part-time carer for his stroke surviving partner Martin.
When he’s not working you will find him researching, exploring the culture of the London Art Galleries and Museums, exploring the wheelchair friendly pathways around coast, or just in the kitchen making bread or an authentic Indian Curry.