TESTIMONIALS

Dear David,

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I would like to express my sincere thanks to you once again for the outstanding job you did in conducting the funeral service for Ian last Monday.

For such a comparatively short encounter with us prior to the day, you showed a remarkable ability in defining Ian's character. Your professionalism in conveying his attributes as we remembered them was done with dignity, empathy and kindness. You were wonderful and we are truly grateful to you.

Your compassion afterwards towards me, my family and the guests too was really just beyond the call of duty.

 

People came to me later to thank me for the lovely send off for Ian, but really I think it is you who deserves the thanks.

 

I wish you well for the future, especially in the care of your own family.

You are a kind and generous man.

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With sincere thanks

Anne

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Hi David, 

 

Thank you so much for your support today. It was always going to be tough, but you made it so much easier. 

 

You captured the essence of Dad beautifully and we felt like you really listened to us and were able to provide such comfort. 

 

Thank you.

All the Kirkwood family

 

 

Dear David

 

I wanted to thank you for delivering our mother’s eulogy. We valued your support and guidance and appreciated your genuineness and sincerity.

 

Thank you for also being flexible and enabling all of us to provide a service that our mother would have loved.

 

Best wishes,

Jenny

 

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Hi David,

 

I hope that all is well.

 

On behalf of the family, I just wanted to say thank you for being our Celebrant for the service and farewell of Trent.

Your support, empathy and professionalism shown during this most difficult time in our lives is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you for delivering Trent’s service with such kindness and care.

We will forever be grateful for your compassion and attention to detail throughout the entire process.

 

Thanks again David. 

Kind regards,

 

Missy

 

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Hi David,

 

Just wanted to say thank you for officiating at my father’s funeral yesterday. Your professionalism and sensitivity to the event were exemplary. The entire family were grateful for your support and your kind words about dad.

Heartfelt thanks and best wishes,

 

Jon

 

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Hi David,

 

Craig and I wanted to thank you for your role as Civil Celebrant yesterday at Dads funeral.

We truly appreciated your guidance and delivery of the Service.

As you can appreciate, we wanted to honour Dad's big life, there was a lot to tell.

Following the funeral Craig and I received beautiful feedback from family and friends on what a lovely service it was

Last night we watched it back again from the live stream and we both felt it was exactly what Dad would have wanted.

Thank you David

 

Kind Regards

Gail and Craig.

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Hi  David,

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This is a belated thank you for your organisation, insight and careful thought for preparing and delivering Luke's funeral service last week.

Your dedication in late night re-writing of Russell's long eulogy really saved the day at the funeral. It was great to have an Independent Third Party re-write the eulogy and shorten it to make it a meaningful and memorable delivery.

Thank you also for your overall caring co-ordination of the process and the event.

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Jennie

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Hi David,

I just wanted to thank you so much for the beautiful service you conducted for Dad yesterday and for your kindness towards us as a family.
Dad would have been very humbled by the service - he never really liked a fuss being made but I think he would have liked it

Thank you again'
Francine, Marlene and Andy 

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Hi David,

 

Just wanted to thankyou very much for a terrific service.  Everyone loved it.  

You made everything so much easier for us and we really appreciated your efforts.

Again thanks so much, it was very much appreciated.

 

Cheers,

Kerri

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Dear David,

Just a quick message to say thank you for the fine job you did at Judith’s (Durham) funeral.  It was much appreciated by Beverley and everyone there.

Funerals are not easy, but the way you led it made things as easy as they could be.

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Regards and thanks,

Tony Sheehan,

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Hi David,

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This is Lance Jones from New Zealand on the behalf of my mother (Annette Jones) and our extended whanau here in New Zealand.

Mum and me watched Karl's beautiful service on Friday, we had 1 of Anna's sons that lives in New Zealand over our house viewing the service as well. It was beautifully done from the flower arrangements to the heart warming and tearful speeches.

 

My mum and me give u a BIG thank you and huge appreciation for ur time and skills as a celebrant for taking Karl's lovely and beautiful service.'

 

Lance and Annette Jones and Haami Jones family (Whanau).

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Hello David,

Thank you for the beautiful send-off that you gave my mother. All our family and friends abroad who watched, were really impressed. 

And thank you for all the work you did to make my rendition a success. I am so grateful. I don’t refer to myself as a ‘singer’, but if ever you are in a tight spot and need an extra vocal, I would be happy to oblige if I can do it. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful day so far, and I wish you continued success in all your endeavours. 

 

Regards,

Jacquie Somerszaul 

 

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Dear David

 

I wanted to write a short letter to you on behalf of our family to thank you for your fine effort as celebrant at my father Barry Sheehan’s funeral on Tuesday.

 

Your patience and efficiency in organising the order of service was a big reason the funeral went smoothly and reflected the sort of tribute we had hoped it would be.  Your focus on getting to know ‘Barry the man’ was also evident in the adept but sensitive way you conducted the service.

 

Pam and Belinda and also Beverley,  who remembered you fondly from her sister Judith’s funeral in 2022, took great comfort from having you there orchestrating proceedings.

 

It was a sad day, but as good as a funeral can be.  In that respect we have much to thank you for.

 

I hope we have the opportunity to meet again away from the funeral environment, perhaps at one of your own performances.

 

Yours sincerely

Tony Sheehan

 

 

I was unable to attend Richard Cook's funeral (8/4/2025) in person and watched the recording instead. I am so touched and impressed by how David conducted the service. I would like to pass on my thanks to David for giving Richard the farewell he so deserved. David was able to provide so much comfort to Richard's family and everyone who attended/watched the service. People rarely praise a funeral but David is truly impressive. I usually dread attending funerals and just want to leave as soon as I can. David has demonstrated how we can farewell a loved one in a beautiful/dignified manner. Thank you, David for what you do for others in the hardest times of their lives.

 

 

Hi David

 

I just wanted to say thanks again for everything you did yesterday for dad’s funeral… your wonderful words, the poems & quotes, and all your help before and afterwards as well.  You made it a great send off for dad.

 

I really appreciate it.

 

Wishing all the very best.

 

Kind Regards

Michelle Pitcher

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