Inclusion and Diversity Policy
My Life, My Death, My Wishes
Aims
My Life, My Death, My Wishes is committed to supporting individuals with kindness, dignity, and care. We aim to treat every person equally, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Accessibility
All consultations, planning sessions, and legacy/death planning services are available in-person or online, using accessible technology to ensure that those with mobility considerations or preferences for private consultation can be accommodated.
Diversity
As a death planner, doula, and celebrant, Berni Benton welcomes clients from all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. Ceremonies and planning sessions can incorporate your unique traditions, spiritual beliefs, and personal stories.
We actively support inclusive language and encourage the use of pronouns in communication to demonstrate allyship with the LGBTQIA+ community. We reserve the right to decline to work with anyone who expresses discriminatory, racist, or transphobic views or behaviours.
Inclusion and Respect
All clients and collaborators are to be treated with equal respect and dignity.
Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise offensive and inflammatory behaviour will not be tolerated. These behaviours are considered harassment and have no place in our services or partnerships.
Dealing with Discrimination or Harassment
If you feel you have been discriminated against in any engagement with My Life, My Death, My Wishes, you are encouraged to raise this directly with Berni Benton.
All complaints will be handled with care and discretion. You will be heard, supported, and treated fairly.
Should the complaint concern a third party or venue collaborator, Berni Benton will investigate and take appropriate action to ensure safety and inclusion for all parties.
This policy came into force on 01-01-2025 in its current form. It is regularly reviewed, and suggestions for improvement are always welcomed.
Privacy Policy
I, Berni Benton of My Life, My Death, My Wishes, am committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
Personal data is information which relates to a living individual who can be identified from that information.
The legal basis for collection and use of your personal data is to:
- Arrange and carry out services as agreed within your booking.
Explicit Approval
Berni Benton gained your explicit approval to collect, hold and process your personal data as set out below on your booking form when you engaged her services.
How we will use your personal data
In her capacity as an Independent Celebrant, Berni Benton will use your personal data to the extent necessary to:
- Carry out your booking, including:
- Contacting you when necessary in relation to your booking
- Receiving payment
- Coordinating with other relevant organisations/individuals (e.g. florist, venue, Funeral Director, etc.)
Berni Benton has taken appropriate measures to safeguard personal data under her control against unauthorized access, unlawful or accidental destruction or accidental loss.
Data Storage
Your personal data will be stored electronically and password protected. Any documentation in hard copy will be stored in a locked cupboard.
Data Retention Policy
Your data will be retained whilst your booking is being arranged and after the event has taken place. Thereafter, unless otherwise agreed, I, Berni Benton of My Life, My Death, My Wishes, may continue to hold some of your personal data for a further period of five years to ensure compliance with Company Law and HMRC Statutory VAT reporting requirements. Where there is no requirement to continue to hold your personal data, I, Berni Benton of My Life, My Death, My Wishes, will destroy it.
Right of Access
You have the right to obtain confirmation that your personal data is being processed by Berni Benton of My Life, My Death, My Wishes, and what personal data is held.
You may make your request at any time and by any reasonable means (letter, telephone, e-mail), although it is preferred that you make contact in writing, detailing the precise nature of your request so that there can be no misunderstanding.
Further information is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office website on how to make a request:
👉 https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/principle-6-rights/subject-access-request/
Within seven days of receiving your request, I, Berni Benton, will send you a written acknowledgement noting when you can expect to receive a response.
Within 30 days of your request, I, Berni Benton of My Life, My Death, My Wishes, will provide you with the information that is held in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, except where I, Berni Benton, have agreed with you that this would not be possible, or that it would involve undue expense—in which case I may make the information available to you to view on a screen.
Right to Complain
If you believe that there is a problem with how I, Berni Benton of My Life, My Death, My Wishes, am collecting, holding, and processing your personal data, you have the right to complain.
Initially, you should address your complaint to Berni Benton of My Life, My Death, My Wishes.
I, Berni Benton, will respond to your complaint within ten days.
You also have the right to address your complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office:
- Tel: 0303 123 1113
- Email: casework@ico.org.uk
- Website: https://ico.org.uk
Contact Information:
Berni Benton
My Life, My Death, My Wishes
Email: info@bernib.co.uk
Telephone number: 07526 928 232