Beyond The Ceremony Podcast Ep 10: Working With Funeral Directors with Julie Sullivan

Ever wondered what it’s really like working with a funeral director? In this episode, Laura Crockett chats with the brilliant Julie Sullivan, who runs her own family funeral business in the North Cotswolds.  Julie’s been supporting families through loss for years, and she brings so much wisdom, warmth, and honesty to this conversation. They talk about everything from first phone calls with grieving families to how celebrants can build trust in delicate situations. Julie shares some really helpful tips on how to work alongside funeral directors in a way that feels natural, respectful, and truly collaborative. If you’re already working as a funeral celebrant or thinking about stepping into this space, you’ll love this chat. It’s full of heart, real-life stories, and useful takeaways. Highlights What families really need in those early conversations How to build trust quickly, even if they’ve never met you Why local knowledge can make all the difference The rise of hydro cremation and other modern options How fees are handled and what that means for you as a celebrant 🎧 This one's for you if you're: Training to be a celebrant or just getting started Curious about what it's like working with funeral directors Ready to build stronger connections in your local area Wondering how to support families in the most genuine way Interested in the future of funerals and how things are changing 🌟 Enjoyed the episode? We’d love it if you could leave a five-star rating and review on Apple or Spotify. It really helps other future celebrants find the podcast. Still exploring if celebrancy is right for you? Take our quiz to see if this path might be the perfect fit. 💒 Beyond The Ceremony Podcast: Modern Celebrancy. Unfiltered. 💒 Everything you need to know about how to succeed as a modern celebrant. From top tips on how to create unforgettable ceremonies, to success stories from some of the best in the biz, we will give you a behind-the-scenes look into life as a celebrant. Hosted by Laura Crockett, Award-winning Celebrant, radio personality, and celebrant mentor at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy.  Learn more about the Academy of Modern Celebrancy here. MEET JULIE SULLIVAN Julie Sullivan is the founder and director of Julie Sullivan Funeral Directors, a family-run, independent funeral service based in the heart of the North Cotswolds. With a nationally recognised Diploma in Funeral Directing and years of hands-on experience, Julie is known for her compassionate, community-focused approach. Her team is dedicated to supporting families with honesty, transparency, and warmth, offering tailored guidance at every stage of the funeral planning process. As both SAIF and NAFD-accredited, Julie works closely with celebrants, ministers, crematoria, and churches to ensure each service reflects the individual needs of the families she supports. Whether meeting at the family home or in their welcoming premises, Julie’s commitment to continuity and care ensures every client feels seen, heard, and supported, before, during, and after the funeral. Website | Facebook MEET YOUR HOST, LAURA CROCKETT Laura has been an independent celebrant for 5 years and absolutely loves it. It makes her so proud seeing how far she’s come in that time. Laura feels like she’s found her calling and is so excited to keep progressing and growing her Celebrant business! Laura creates all kinds of ceremonies, including Weddings, Funerals, Vow Renewals, and Naming Ceremonies. Before she was a celebrant, Laura was a breakfast radio presenter, so her happy place is either at the front of a ceremony or sitting behind a microphone! At home, Laura is married to Johnathan (a primary school teacher and her biggest cheerleader) and a mummy to two boys – Woody and Dougie. Laura is also a dog mum to Betty and Barney, the cockapoos! They can often be found curled up by her side when she’s writing scripts or lying by the radiator in the office when she’s on couples calls!  Website | Instagram | Facebook