Karen Farquhar
With qualifications in Business Management and Accounts, I bring a strong professional foundation to my work as an ITOL‑accredited End of Life Doula and a fully trained Funeral and Wedding Celebrant. Although I currently conduct non‑legal weddings, I have been a celebrant for over ten years, officiating more than 200 weddings, almost 2,000 funerals, and creating bespoke ceremonies including Baby Naming Days, Living Funerals, Living Eulogies, Memorials, Elopements, Renewal of Wedding Vows and even “Untying the Knot” celebrations. In short, family celebrant that covers the Hatches, Matches and Dispatches!
Community has always been at the heart of my life. I’ve served on numerous committees, supported local charities, and spent 20 years working in the voluntary sector. That role taught me how to adapt to any audience — speaking at a black‑tie dinner one evening or a working man’s pub the next. My natural ability and confidence to speak publicly and genuine connection with people meant I was often asked to speak at funerals, and when the chance came to train formally, I grabbed it with both hands.
It was once said that when you find a job you truly love, you never really work a day in your life — and I couldn’t agree more. I’m passionate about giving every loved one the most meaningful and dignified farewell I can, and when it comes to weddings, my philosophy is simple: it’s your day, we’ll do it your way!
Karen Farquhar
Website: www.aberdeencelebrant.co.uk
Email: aberdeencelebrant@gmail.com
Tel: 07950 792920
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AberdeenCelebrant
Terry Cheyne
Hi, my name is Terry Cheyne and I’m a qualified, ITOL accredited End of Life Doula.
An End of Life Doula is a trained, compassionate, non‑medical companion who supports people approaching the end of life, along with their families and circles of care. They offer emotional reassurance, practical help, gentle advocacy, and sometimes spiritual support, helping individuals feel heard, respected, and fully themselves during their final chapter. Their role can include sitting in companionship, facilitating important conversations, assisting with planning and decision‑making, coordinating care, supporting cultural or personal rituals, and guiding families after death. The aim is to create a peaceful, meaningful, and dignified end‑of‑life experience tailored to each person’s wishes.
For the last year of his life, I walked alongside a gentleman who needed steady, gentle support. I accompanied him to hospital appointments, collected medication when family members couldn’t, and made sure he never felt alone in navigating the final stages of his illness. When his time came, I sat with him and held his hand as he took his final breath — because I believe deeply that no one should die without the comfort of human presence. This is the essence of end‑of‑life companionship: showing up, offering calm reassurance, and ensuring dignity at every step.
I’ve spent my working life serving the public; in the Royal Navy, the NHS, the police, and the coastguard. Now retired, I’m putting those decades of experience to meaningful use in my role as an end of life doula. Alongside my professional career, I’ve volunteered with Childline and supported charities including Shelter, Cancer Research, and most recently Roxburghe House in Aberdeen. Service, compassion, and community have always been at the heart of everything I do.
Terry Cheyne
Website: www.aberdeencelebrant.co.uk/Doula
Email: aberdeendoula@gmail.com
Tel: 07981 871037
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AberdeenDoula
Lynda Smith
I’m a family friendly Scottish celebrant always willing to go the extra mile, who loves to listen to all your stories, life adventures and find out about the real you! I’ll make your ceremony better than you could imagine, taking time to incorporate your ideas and wish list.
If you’re looking for a bit of humour, romantic, outdoor ceremony then you’ve hit the nail on the head. Doesn’t matter what stage of life ceremony you require from birth, weddings or twilight years celebration or marking your full life journey and last goodbye in a living wake or celebration of life funeral. I will give you the best, memorable ceremony. I travel far and wide, so give me a call, text or email and we can have an open, informal chat.
Lynda Smith
Website: www.ellaysangel.com/stonehavencelebrant.com
Email: ellaysangel@outlook.com
Tel: 07541 532005
Keiran Reid
Keiran Reid
THE PROBATIONER!
I live by the belief that we have one life, and its meaning is found in how we choose to live it. The legacy we leave — the kindness we show, the connections we make, the stories we help shape — becomes our afterlife in the hearts of others.
From a young age, I had to face the reality of a shortened life due to medical conditions. That experience led me to ask big questions about purpose, value, and how to live meaningfully. For years, I searched for the answer to “What is the meaning of life?” and eventually discovered a more grounding question: “What can I do to make this life meaningful?”
Becoming a humanist celebrant is one of the ways I bring that meaning into the world. Being part of someone’s final journey, telling their story, and offering warmth and solace in the hardest moments is an honour I hold deeply. Like every good book, life must come to an end — and my aim is to bring positivity, comfort, and a sense of humanity to those final chapters.
My focus is simple: to bring joy, compassion, and light to others through my outlook on life, and to make every moment count.
(Keiran will be available for funerals in due course)
Anne Wels
My name is Anne Wels, and I’d be delighted to be your celebrant — working with you to create a bespoke ceremony exactly the way you want it. I absolutely love what I do, and every ceremony I craft comes straight from the heart.
A quick note before we go any further: I’m not a humanist celebrant. Humanism is, at its core, atheist — and that’s not what I do. I create ceremonies built entirely around you. Whether you’d like something non‑religious, lightly spiritual, or with a touch of tradition, your beliefs lead the way. My own don’t get a vote.
I became a civil celebrant after attending many ceremonies that felt… well, a bit chilly. Milestones deserve warmth, personality, and a few smiles — not mispronounced names or missing family members. Whether it’s a funeral, a wedding blessing, or welcoming a new baby, these moments matter, and they should feel like you.
Born and bred in Aberdeen, I spent years in the oil industry working in marine logistics — organising ships, crews, and chaos with confidence. After losing several family members in a short time and helping prepare their ceremonies, I realised this was the work that truly called to me.
I trained with Civil Ceremonies and hold the NONC Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy, and later completed my Diploma in Couple & Family Celebrancy with Celebrant Training Scotland. I now offer everything from funeral and memorial services, pet funerals, from baby naming to vow renewals, weddings, blessings, graduation ceremonies, coming out ceremonies, gender reassignment celebrations, divorce ceremonies, and even the opening of a new business… or an envelope, if that’s your style.
My ceremonies are relaxed, personal, and heartfelt — romantic, sentimental, quirky, or joyfully off‑beat. As long as it’s legal, we can make it yours.
Although based in Kintore, I’m happy to travel wherever your occasion takes me.
Anne Wels
Website: www.straightfromtheheart.co.uk
Email: anne.wels@straightfromtheheart.co.uk
Tel: 07715 464389
