Services Rooted in Care, Compassion and Choice

Life Celebrations 

End-of-Life Celebrancy

I’m not just here for weddings or new beginnings — I am a celebrant for the whole of life. And that includes the most profound and tender part of all: the end. As an End-of-Life Celebrant, I help families, individuals and communities create heartfelt, honest, and beautiful ceremonies that honour the life lived — whether that’s through a funeral, memorial, natural burial, or scattering of ashes.

I’ll walk with you in your grief. I’ll listen, write, and hold space for your memories. Together, we’ll tell their story — the way it should be told.

End-of-Life Doula Services

As an End-of-Life Doula, I offer non-medical, holistic care and companionship to the dying and those who love them. I’m there to hold hands, have hard conversations, bring calm to chaos, and offer quiet, grounding support when the world feels upside down.

Sometimes I’m helping to plan meals, hold vigil, sit with silence, or help explain what’s happening. Sometimes I’m simply being a presence — a steady, compassionate witness to life’s final chapter.

You don’t have to do this alone.

Legacy & Death Planning

​Leaving lasting legacies.

My Life, My Death, My Wishes is a provides templates, workshops, guides and useful signposts to ensure your life and your passions are documented to ensure that when you are dying and after your death, those who are caring for you can do so in a way that is aligned to your preferences, personality and wishes. Legacy planning is the greatest gift you can leave. Ensuring those grieving know for sure they are acting in your best interest and taking the stress and worry out of managing your estate. Legacy planning you life is remembered for the stories and moments that mattered to you.

“Do you feel confident that, if you suddenly became life threateningly ill your closest family and friends would know your wishes and preferences about your care?”

Remembering Our Animal Companions

Our four-legged friends are more than pets. They are family, confidants, healers. When they pass, we grieve. And we should. I offer gentle, personalised pet farewell ceremonies that honour the deep love shared and give you space to reflect, remember, and begin to heal.

 

These services are small, heartfelt, and deeply respectful of the bond you had.

Testimonials

From Past Clients

"Berni was the most incredible celebrant we could ever have wished for: to be honest, I think we struck gold! Throughout the whole build up to the wedding, Berni was genuinely interested in learning all about our love story and sent some really fun questionnaires to fill in."

Tim Hancock

"Being loaded with information about us meant that when it came to the wedding, Bernie was able to tailor the ceremony to be very personal and unique to us, which was absolutely brilliant. Both Rui and I LOVED the ceremony and lots of our guests also commented on how much they loved it, with unanimous praise for Berni and her personal touch.

The ceremony included really cute little details about us – a mix of romantic, funny and even some bits that were surprising to our loved ones!"

Tim Hancock

"Nobody gets out alive! Death is a certainty and for a long time the majority haven’t wanted to think about it. But this attitude is changing and Berni has been one of the drivers, squirrelling away on this. When mum or dad dies, many people feel trapped by fear and loss, they panic or shut down. All too often a funeral is arranged in this state of mind (some even going through with direct cremations without a service at all) and some time after there are regrets, delayed grief and ongoing emotional dis-ease that can cause no end of problems and illness. Berni brings her vast experience to bear on this incredibly important aspect of life. This book will get conversations within families started, will empower people to make choices and help that majority come to live more fully with death, and that can only ever be a healthier future for all." 

Rev Grace Jevon

"What a brilliant book this is! 📚

@bernib_full_life has crafted the most down-to-earth, easy to  read, comforting guide for death, dying, grief and planning.
It opens up the conversation about death in a way that is so normal with language that is so casual.

I cannot recommend this book enough ❤" 

Joycey Bee

"Following a family bereavement we contacted Berni (on recommendation) to act as celebrant. Berni was a huge support throughout, and was with us every step of the way. She steered us through the process and listened attentively and sensitively.

Berni drew on the conversations with us and those with family and friends to write the eulogy, which she delivered beautifully, so much so that attendees assumed she was already a family friend. The support she provides is exceptional and genuine. We cannot recommend Berni highly enough."

Tim & Sarah John

"I feel so blessed that we came across Berni as a celebrant for a service to celebrate my Dad's life and the scattering of his ashes. She has a lovely engaging personality and is full of fun and warmth. Berni 'got' what we were aiming to achieve and the day went just as we hoped. She was very available in the planning stage and I felt able to relax on the day knowing that she had everything under control. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Berni as a celebrant"

Colette Robson

"Berni Benton is one in a million—a deeply insightful, positive, and compassionate soul with an incredible range of skills and experience to draw upon as she supports people through some of life’s most challenging moments. She has been my mum’s End of Life Doula for almost three years, joining her care team shortly after a major health crisis."

Laura Williams

"Berni provided her services to us following the loss of our beautiful son. She was so supportive and helped us during a horrendous time. The service we created together was perfect for our son and us. We wanted a positive experience out of a trauma, we achieved this. We will be forever grateful and can totally recommend her services. Thanks Berni x"

- Helen & Andrew

"When my Dad died we were all in a state of grief and shock...we had no idea how to navigate through. We had no idea what death felt or looked like. Berni was recommended to us and we've never been more grateful. She was a wonderful calming presence, a shoulder to cry on, someone who just listened without judgement. Our dad's funeral couldn't have been more perfect. She took so much pressured off and it allowed us to enjoy celebrating what was a very colourful life. Dad would have been proud.I cannot recommend her highly enough and I'm already planning my end of life celebration with her."

- Amanda

"Berni helped my father plan and prepare for his death, and afterward we asked her to lead and help to organise his funeral. She took an active part in the planning process, communicating proactively with us and helping us liaise with various parties that needed to be involved, as well as mediating discussions where needed. She kept detailed notes, shared them with us, and updated them according to our wishes and directions. She treated us and my father with sensitivity and compassion, and adapted smoothly to surprises and changes of plan of plan on the day itself. We could not have done it without her."

- Dion T

My Life, My Death, My Wishes

Resources to hold your hand, not your breath

Planning for the end of life doesn’t need to feel like walking into a cold, clinical office. It can happen at your kitchen table, with a mug of something warm and the courage to say the quiet things out loud. This space is here to offer you the tools, templates, and conversations to do just that — gently, clearly, and without fluff.

Whether you’re here because something has happened, or because you just have a niggling feeling that it’s time to get your ducks in a row — you’re in the right place. These resources were created for people like you: people who care deeply, who might be carrying fear or uncertainty, and who are looking for a better way to prepare.

This isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about creating space for your wishes to be known, your voice to be heard — even when you’re no longer able to speak for yourself. It’s about helping those you love carry out what matters to you, with confidence and clarity.

 

The Book

My Life, My Death, My Wishes — the guide you didn’t know you needed

This is the one I’m most proud of. A full-colour, soft-touch, big-hearted guidebook for the living who want to plan for dying. It’s part workbook, part journal, part loving nudge.
Inside, you’ll find prompts that help you reflect on what really matters to you — the kind of life you want, the kind of care you need, and the kind of goodbye you’d choose if it were up to you. There’s room to write things down. There are quotes and poems from the likes of Donna Ashworth and Pam Ayres, and even a few surprising touches that might make you smile, cry, or maybe both.

It’s not a textbook. It’s a companion. It will walk with you as you figure things out.

Downloadable Guides

Tools for when you’re ready to put pen to paper

Let’s be honest — this stuff can feel overwhelming. That’s why these resources are designed to be straight-talking, no-jargon, and step-by-step. You won’t be left wondering what a form means or where to start. Everything is written in plain language, with space for real life.

The Lasting Powers of Attorney Guide is your go-to if you’re wondering what an attorney actually does, who to choose, or how to fill out the forms. It comes with editable templates, clear guidance, and all the reassurance you need to start.

The Quality of Life Statement Guide goes a bit deeper. It helps you paint a picture of who you are, what comforts you, what scares you, and what makes life worth living — in your own words. This isn’t just paperwork. It’s a way for future carers and decision-makers to really know you, even if you can’t tell them in the moment.