January began with a 40th birthday adventure and quickly became busier than expected. From humanist funeral ceremonies in Bangor and Conwy to planning vow renewals and handfasting celebrations for 2026 couples, this month reminded me why I love being a celebrant.
I eased into the year with a few days away with my mum in the Canaries. We flew home on my 40th birthday, which turned out to be more eventful than expected when we landed in a headwind and snowstorm… at the wrong airport. It took 24 hours longer than planned, but we made it home in time to celebrate with family.
My first funeral ceremony of the year was for Pam on a crisp, cold day at Erw Rhun, where the resident sheep do an excellent job of keeping the lawns tidy.
Then it was off to Bangor for Barry's funeral, which was a first for me as he had two ceremonies - one here in North Wales for friends, and another elsewhere with family. It served as a gentle reminder that there's no single right way to plan a funeral. Every family's needs are different, and ceremonies should reflect that.
I also led a funeral where young grandchildren were present. It mattered deeply to the family that the children felt included and that the day felt positive overall. I'm a big advocate for children taking part in funerals when it feels right for the family. I hope it was an uplifting way for them to remember their grandad together.
My final funeral of the month was for Tony, a Royal Signals veteran. His daughter created a slideshow set to David Bowie's Space Oddity, weaving together video clips from across his life. It was such a personal touch and a beautiful tribute.
Huge thanks to Tom Owen & Sons and John Turner & Daughters for keeping me out of trouble this month.
While many wedding suppliers slow down in January, it's actually one of my busiest planning months. All of my 2026 couples now have their questionnaires, and I've already had the pleasure of meeting with Ann and Cameron to plan their Capel Curig vow renewal, as well as Tom and Louise to begin shaping their nature-inspired handfasting ceremony held on the summer solstice.
Last year I got a flurry of quite short-notice bookings for summer 2025 weddings so there were a lot of ceremonies to write at the same time. This year, I'm looking to enjoy the process more by starting the writing process earlier on and giving myself more room to enjoy the process.
Outside of work, I've been making a conscious effort to spend less time doomscrolling and more time on things that actually nourish me. A week of sunshine with my mum. A extended family dinner of 17 to celebrate my birthday. Meals out with friends and I even managed to squeeze in a trip to my hometown of Nottingham for a weekend of friends, food, and escape rooms. I'm pleased to report that my 100% success rate remains intact.
I read a trashy romance novel on the beach in the Canaries. When I got home, I picked up a half-finished crochet blanket I've been working on for at least 12 months. I discovered Yellowstone and am slowly making my way through the seasons, and of course, I inhaled the latest series of the Traitors too. Mornings have been spent walking with the dog on the beach at sunrise, possibly the only good thing about the sun rising so late during the winter months.
February brings more funerals and lots of wedding planning meetings for Summer 2026 weddings, so there's plenty of writing ahead. And maybe it’s wishful thinking, but the days already feel like they’re beginning to stretch.
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Kate Rostance is a humanist funeral celebrant based in North Wales. She works with families across Conwy, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Denbighshire and Flintshire to tell the stories that matter most -with compassion, clarity, and genuine care.
Find out more about Kate, her approach to funeral ceremonies, or what the families she has supported said about working with her.
