About Jonathan
Jonathan started work at an advertising agency in Norwich where he trained as an Account Manager. A move to London and world-famous agency Ogilvy & Mather followed. As did a prized ‘green card’ and a posting to an agency in the United States.
On returning to the UK, Jonathan pursued what had until then been a hobby; property investment and management. Over the decades which followed, his career took him across East Anglia, back to London and finally to France.
Jonathan has never let his work define him, it was always a means to an end. His life’s passion lay in what he did outwith his career; music, the stage and the Army Reserve. His musical interest was piqued at the age of 7 when he became a chorister at Wymondham Abbey. During what proved to be a thirty five year ‘singathon’ he performed at cathedrals throughout the country and for the late Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Albert Hall.
Jonathan joined the Territorial Army as a combat medic, taking his oath a few days after his 18th birthday. Over the next two decades he worked his way up through the ranks, retiring in the rank of major. He saw full-time reserve service in the former republic of Yugoslavia during the aftermath of the Balkans conflict.
Although reserved by nature, Jonathan was delighted when a friend asked him to accompany her to weekly drama classes at a local theatre where, over the next 20 years he plied his craft, developing a particular reputation for the works of Noël Coward.
However, among the most treasured of his accomplishments are his life-long friendships and the loving relationship he maintains with his family. Now retired, Jonathan fills his days officiating at funerals, bodyboarding in Cornwall, retaking the piano examinations which he largely ‘fluffed’ during a misspent youth and trying to write a couple of books – apparently there is at least one in each of us but, as Christopher Hitchens used to say, in most cases that’s probably where it should stay!
Professional, Caring, Calm
“Your voice is a true gift. Once we heard you speak we knew we were in safe hands.”
The ability of the human voice to ‘colour’ the spoken word so that it enhances comprehension, provides comfort, raises the spirits or adds gravitas is not a natural ability, Its use requires skill and much practice and I’ve spent many years honing my craft through singing, public speaking and my work on stage and television.
Listen to Jonathan speaking at a life celebration here:
“You were from beginning to end professional, supportive and extremely kind and I could not have gone through the last weeks without you.”
It is my task to listen to the stories of a life as told by those who knew the deceased best and to bring together feelings of sadness, love, respect and more often than not, humour; allowing emotions to flourish in a gently curated environment in order to provide a thought-provoking, dignified and authentic observation of a celebrated life and to deliver that story with excellence on the day.
“This was my first experience of a Humanist service and it has reverberated with me quite deeply.”
The secret behind making something look effortless is simple; planning, planning and more planning. A seemingly relaxed yet meaningful funeral or celebration of life actually involves a lot of choreography. Designing the ‘flow’ or order and timing of each contribution; the poetry, the music, the welcomes and the farewells, is an art-form in itself. It doesn’t happen by accident and it certainly shouldn’t follow a ‘formula’; it needs a professional eye and ear and above all it needs empathy.
About Jonathan
Jonathan started work at an advertising agency in Norwich where he trained as an Account Manager. A move to London and world-famous agency Ogilvy & Mather followed. As did a prized ‘green card’ and a posting to an agency in the United States.
On returning to the UK, Jonathan pursued what had until then been a hobby; property investment and management. Over the decades which followed, his career took him across East Anglia, back to London and finally to France.
Jonathan has never let his work define him, it was always a means to an end. His life’s passion lay in what he did outwith his career; music, the stage and the Army Reserve. His musical interest was piqued at the age of 7 when he became a chorister at Wymondham Abbey. During what proved to be a thirty five year ‘singathon’ he performed at cathedrals throughout the country and for the Queen Mother at the Royal Albert Hall.
Jonathan joined the Territorial Army as a combat medic, taking his oath a few days after his 18th birthday. Over the next two decades he worked his way up through the ranks, retiring in the rank of major. He saw full-time reserve service in the former republic of Yugoslavia during the aftermath of the Balkans conflict.
Although reserved by nature, Jonathan was delighted when a friend asked him to accompany her to weekly drama classes at a local theatre where, over the next 20 years he plied his craft, developing a particular reputation for the works of Noel Coward.
However, among the most treasured of his accomplishments are his life-long friendships and the loving relationship he maintains with his family. Now retired, Jonathan fills his days officiating at funerals, bodyboarding in Cornwall, retaking the piano examinations which he largely ‘fluffed’ during a misspent youth and trying to write a couple of books – apparently there is at least one in each of us but, as Christopher Hitchens used to say, in most cases that’s probably where it should stay!
Professional, Caring, Calm
“Your voice is a true gift. Once we heard you speak we knew we were in safe hands.”
The ability of the human voice to ‘colour’ the spoken word so that it enhances comprehension, provides comfort, raises the spirits or adds gravitas is not a natural ability, Its use requires skill and much practice and I’ve spent many years honing my craft through singing, public speaking and my work on stage and television.
Listen to Jonathan speaking at a life celebration below:
“Thank you for taking my husband’s funeral service. Your warmth, compassion and professionalism guided us throughout.”
It is my task to listen to the stories of a life as told by those who knew the deceased best and to bring together feelings of sadness, love, respect and more often than not, humour; allowing emotions to flourish in a gently curated environment in order to provide a thought-provoking, dignified and authentic observation of a celebrated life and to deliver that story with excellence on the day.
“…..The service was comforting and uplifting and exactly what we wanted – a celebration of his amazing, albeit short life.”
The secret behind making something look effortless is simple; planning, planning and more planning. A seemingly relaxed yet meaningful funeral or celebration of life actually involves a lot of choreography. Designing the ‘flow’ or order and timing of each contribution; the poetry, the music, the welcomes and the farewells, is an art-form in itself. It doesn’t happen by accident and it certainly shouldn’t follow a ‘formula’; it needs a professional eye and ear and above all it needs empathy.