Every life is unique, and so should be the farewell

My name is Gary Erskine and I am a fully trained, compassionate and dedicated Independent Celebrant ready to help you create a personalised ceremony for your loved one. With a background in teaching, I have developed many skills from working with children, their families and the wider community. Now, I am eager to channel that experience into a more personal and heartfelt realm – supporting families during times of need through meaningful ceremonies. These ceremonies are unique and person-centred, focusing entirely on your loved one’s values and beliefs.

Gary Erskine | Independent Funeral Celebrant

My Background

I’m Ayrshire born and bred, but always happy to travel further afield. I married my wife, Jennifer, back in 2020 and we have a wee boy called Logan who is highly skilled at keeping us on our toes. I love hillwalking, wild camping and many other sports.

My love for the outdoors has led me into freelancing as an outdoor instructor, working in many parts of Scotland and beyond, living the dream in our beautiful countryside.

My Vision

Coming from a background in education, I am committed to getting it right for everyone. This means each ceremony is tailored to meet the needs, values and beliefs of the family and your loved one. Being an Independent Celebrant gives me the freedom to make the ceremony unique. There are no limits on how we can portray your loved one. Together, we will create a bespoke service which demonstrates their true personality. There is something very special about being able to craft a ceremony that fully reflects your loved one’s life.

My Commitment to You

Excellent communication from start to finish: It is so important to be guided through the various stages of funeral planning – from that initial meeting to the final goodbye. I will maintain regular contact with you, via phone, text, email (or whatever method works best) in order to keep you well-informed of proceedings.
Continued support: on the day of the service, I will conduct your loved one’s ceremony alongside your chosen funeral director, and offer you support on what will be a very emotional and challenging day.
Completely open-minded: Together we can sit and chat about how you wish the service to go.
No surprises! Once written, I will email or hand deliver a hard copy of the full ceremony, so that you know what to expect on the day of the service.
Warmth, laughter and dignity: if you want it, I can do it! If you choose an uplifting ceremony, we can set the perfect tone for your loved one’s service – always with dignity and respect in mind.
Compassion: I understand the significance of moments that require empathy and genuine care. The celebration of life, even in the most difficult of times, is something I approach with heartfelt compassion.
Dedication: The commitment I brought to the classroom is the same dedication I bring to crafting and officiating ceremonies. I will work with you to create a unique ceremony that not only honours your loved one’s memory, but ensures that it fully reflects the life, values and beliefs of your loved one.
Fully Independent: I work independently and am not affiliated to any church or humanist association. As an independent celebrant, I have the flexibility to personalise ceremonies to the specific needs and wishes of your loved one. This means that the ceremony can be tailored to exactly how you wish it to be – religious or non-religious.

Contact Gary Erskine | Independent Celebrant

I would be honoured to be a part of your loved one’s ceremony, and I look forward to helping you create a service that is as unique and special as the moments you shared with them. Together, let’s craft a celebration that truly reflects your loved one.