A Rode Heath mum is making a name for herself as 'The Smiley Celebrant', helping to celebrate the lives of loved ones in the best possible way.

Most people are familiar with the role of a funeral director and vicar but not many people are aware of the fast-growing role of celebrants.

(Photo: Kate Moran)

Glasgow-born Kate Moran wanted a new challenge during Covid and decided to take a course in becoming a celebrant.

It literally means celebrating an important moment in life such as a death, getting married or even a baby shower.  

Kate, from Woodland Road, is trained to be a celebrant at weddings and baby showers but says her heart is in funerals.

"Unfortunately it's going to happen to every single one of us in our lives," she said.

(Photo: Kate Moran)

"Being a celebrant is a lovely thing to do at such a desperately sad time."

Kate's bubbly, infectious personality not to mention her pink hair help inject life into such a sad event.

"When I'm putting together a eulogy or photographic display for a family it can ring tears to my eyes," said Kate who was a finalist in the Celebrant of the Year last year.

"The celebrant leads the service which can have an element of religion if the family wants it.

"Celebrants are becoming a lot more widely known. Families can have a longer service and spend more time with a celebrant."

So popular is what Kate does that she opened a rentable Grade II listed chapel in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent last month as revealed in  our story here.

The Old Chapel, Etruria (Photo: Kate Moran)

"We're open seven days a week for funeral services and you can have a full hour in the chapel or longer if you want," said Kate.

"We hold a maximum of three services a day and music, live streaming and service recording along with photo tributes can be arranged."

What is different though is that  funeral services can be held in the evening or at weekends."

Kate has an easy going , listening personality which helps in her role visiting families of loved ones.

"Putting together the service and the photographic display can be quite cathartic. It often triggers wonderful family memories of happy times.

"It's about celebrating the life of someone and the time they spent in a family and the part they played."

More details about Kate's work can be found on her Facebook page here