My Story
I’m Sarah, a funeral celebrant, accreditied by Humanist UK, based in Brighton. I support families across Brighton and Sussex in creating personal, non-religious funeral ceremonies that honour a person’s life with warmth, celebration and respect.
Living in Brighton with my partner and Westie dog, I enjoy making the most of living in a vibrant city as well as finding calm by the sea and in the surrounding countryside. I’m a semi-retired primary school teacher and alongside my celebrant work I also work as a specialist lead PSHE teacher. I volunteer locally at the Oxfam bookshop, the Dome theatre and in a heritage garden.
I really value everday small joys: growing plants from seed, swimming in the sea throughout the year, a cup of tea with a pal, the wind in my hair out on the Downs, phone conversations with my grown up daughter and laughing over something silly with old friends.
After 28 years as a primary school teacher, I have spent much of my life working closely with people, supporting them through both everyday moments and more difficult times. My work has always centred around listening, understanding and helping others feel included and noticed.
Becoming a funeral celebrant felt like a natural continuation of this. I have supported my own family through loss, led ceremonies for both of my parents, and helped friends and colleagues to navigate grief. This experience has shaped the thoughtful and compassionate way I approach every ceremony.
My approach: creating a memorable goodbye
The death and loss of a loved one is, without doubt, one of life’s most significant experiences. Every life is unique, and I believe every funeral should reflect that. As a Humanist funeral celebrant, I create non-religious ceremonies that are
shaped around the individual — their story, their values, and the people who knew them best.
Patti Smith suggests:
“If you transform grief into remembrance, then you magnify the person you lost and give something of that person to other people.”
I take time to listen carefully, guiding you gently through the process and helping you create a ceremony that feels personal, meaningful, and true. Whether simple or more detailed, each ceremony is created with care, respect, and quiet confidence.I take time to listen carefully, guiding you gently through the process and helping you create a ceremony that feels personal, meaningful, and true. Whether simple or more detailed, each ceremony is created with care, respect, and quiet confidence.
Experience
Alongside my work as a celebrant, I have extensive experience supporting people through bereavement. I have supported my class community after the death of one of their peers, been involved in the pre-planning of a close friend’s funeral, led ceremonies for both of my parents,and as a specialist teacher, written and taught lessons on bereavement for children, commissioned by the national charity Winston’s Wish. I understand how hard this subject can be, and I find it a real privilege to be part of a process that marks this moment and honours someone's life story and legacy.
Get in Touch
Here to Help
You’re very welcome to get in touch, whenever you feel ready.
Sarah Jackson Celebrant
Hours
Open today | 09:00 – 17:00 |
