Sentiment - Video and photo montage production

 It’s been a month since the National Funeral Exhibition 2011 but the ripples that Sentiment made at the show are still making themselves felt! It looks like our offering made a real impression on Rev George Callander, who saw us at the exhibition and has written an excellent article in this month’s Funeral Service Times:

“Among the many new services springing up is funeral photography and videography, which I believe to be splendid adjuncts in bereavement support. For some years I have offered to record funeral and memorial services for families. This allows them to either send the CD recording to family members or friends unable to attend in person, but who may wish to share in the service, or allows those present to listen again to the service at a time when they feel more emotionally able to do so. Increasingly, crematoria are offering recording as part of their customer service – and all credit to them for doing so”

It’s really interesting that the Reverend has also been offering to record his services; it goes to show that there is a real growing demand for a souvenir of the day, something that people can keep, look back on and treasure. (Ironically it sounds like I would have met the Reverend in person on the BBC Breakfast sofa back in November 2010.  If he’d been able to travel at short notice!)

Funeral videography is still relatively new and unusual and some people may have reservations about it. The Reverend makes the point well:

“For some, the concern about filming/photographing funerals is intrusion into what is a solemn occasion: a lessening, perhaps, of the dignity of the service. While this might be so in some poorly prepared cases, I believe if the photographer and camera person liaise with the family, funeral director, officiant and cemetery/crematorium staff regarding boundaries then this should not be a problem.” This is where we come into our own; at Sentiment we use highly professional photographers and camera operators who blend in unobtrusively and are extremely respectful of the mourners and their emotions.

“I realise it is not for everyone, but as part of a wider freedom of choice for the bereaved, the availability of these services should be more widely known. For some grieving people, having the opportunity to listen to the funeral, watch the service on video or simply reflect by browsing through high quality photographs, can offer just the cathartic experience they need.”

We’re really pleased that what we do here is starting to filter in to the wider consciousness and we’re confident that in time what we offer will be no more unusual than hiring a wedding photographer or videographer. Increasingly there are more and more ways to document and remember each significant stage in our lives, and the acceptance of death as something that can be embraced as the end of a remarkable journey can only have positive repercussions for those left behind.

NFE 2011 was an incredible year for Sentiment. Having exhibited  in 2009  we found that funeral directors thought  the Sentiment product range was too modern –  however this year things were very very very different…

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We’ve just finished a Commemoration Memory Book for a lovely chap who died a few weeks ago.

The Book is stunning and made with a black leather embossed front. All his friends and family who attended the funeral left message  and sent us photos. All the messages and photos have been incorporated into this book and it will be give to his wife next week.

The book ended with this poem – I do Love this Poem.

Farewell My Friend

It was beautiful as long as it lasted
The journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever
save the pain I’ll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care…
And the strings pulling at the heart and soul…
The strong arms that held me up
When my own strength let me down.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends,
Friends who stood by me,
Even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell my friends
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears for I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad do think of me
for that’s what I’ll like when you live in the hearts
of those you love, remember then
you never die.

Rabindranath Tagore

Today is one of those beautiful spring days, where the sun is shinning and the air is fresh.
Outside its almost like the sun has broken through everyones winter cocoon to find the summer smiles.

I stumbled upon this poem, its wonderful.  Personally it’s the sort of poem I love to hear at a funeral, a message to thoes that life is very very special and to go on to live another day taking from it what you can 

Thank you to http://www.funeralpoemsandreflections.com where I found it.

A few lines from “Life Is A Fragile Thing”:

“Life is a fragile thing
And it can change within an instant
Nothing is safe from the effects of change
No person or possession we’re given

The only things we can hold forever
Are the memories in our hearts
The loves we share upon this earth
Before it comes our time to part

So choose a pathway that brings you joy
Take time for quiet moments each day
Appreciate the challenges that strengthen your soul
And the blessings God sends your way

Don’t let your heart be ruled by anger
It’s just not worth the stress
For the tumult will only expand in your heart
And crowd out happiness

Live each day with wonder and gratitude
For the beauty that surrounds you
And share your abundance generously
It’ll ensure future blessings will surround you

Meekly accept that life’s journey will include
Unexpected, soul-wrenching heartaches
That will bruise your soul and alter the course
You always imagined your life would take

And when that happens you’ll have the choice
To embrace hope or hopelessness
You can’t avoid grief, but you can refuse to accept
A lonely future of bitterness

So choose to be grateful for each moment
With the loved ones you’ve been given…”

I have been chatting to a lady called Beverly Ogonowski who has been telling me all about her company Repose in Light and their “Heliostèle” – A solar-powered funeral accessory that shines all night to symbolise undying love.

 Beverly tells me that the “Heliostèle” is a powerful way to remember all those who have gone before us. Personalisable, innovative, autonomous, maintenance-free and ecological with a lifespan of 15 years.

It is Placed on a grave, or at home in a sunny corner, this durable memorial lights up at night to reveal a brilliant message celebrating the life of a loved one.

The Heliostèle is made from iron, glass and polished granite. It is a funeral accessory that combines traditional craftsmanship with the latest technology to offer a unique and lasting memorial.

It gives more than 15 hours of light at night, its weather resistance and can withstand temperatures from -30º to +70ºC. Its size is  33.5 cm x 20.5 cm. Weight: 6.2 kg (approx) as even thought its not yet available the Price for Heliostèle from “la Collection divine” 980€ (£826 today)

I just heard that John Barry died, it made me cry. I don’t normally get upset by famous people dying , I deal with the real people in life and death and that’s emotional enough. I didn’t cry because of his loss I cried because of his amazing influence on me and my gratitude for his life.

 I think Out Of Africa was one of the first videos I remember seeing. I was probably about 7 years old. It was not something I would have chosen to watch, I was more interested in the Care Bears but my mom was a working single parent and the only time we’d actually have time to sit with her and chill out and have a  cuddle was on the sofa with a video.

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How many of you have analysed your life, thought about where you came from and where you are going, how you will be remembered and how you want to be remembered?

For some of us its hard to think about our existence, hard to think about life without our friends and family or think about our family living life without us. For others thinking about the end highlights how wonderful this life really is, and brings gratitude that we we are still here on our journey… and that’s what is important.

Sentiment believes that we should remember that we are living in the here and now… because we know all too well that life can short. Be aware that all your achievements and stories along the way have made you who YOU are and we should celebrate that and commemorate.

 In a time when we like to preserve our history, why not preserve a little bit of your own history … whether you want to create a DVD for your family as a gift, or a life biography to pass onto your children, a Memory book of your life with photos and stories. If you want to ensure that one day your family will know what to do for your funeral and celebrate your life in the way that best reflects you, then please speak us for funeral event planning or commemoration DVD production.

Happy new year, and all the best on your Journey.

This is Sentiment’s 4th Christmas and as ever we are not sending Christmas cards (We can hear your eyes rolling :O). Yes it’s a bit of a cop out, but we are donating to ‘The Child Bereavement Charity’ instead, a wonderful charity that we are very passionate about. At the same time we’re saving trees and saving the postman from any more added stress over this white Christmas! 2010 has been a super year for Sentiment, we’ve worked with some great people and great Funeral Directors, Filmed some beautiful Funerals, made some very touching Tribute Films and created many many Photo Slideshows that have stirred laughter and tears at a funeral / memorial service, as well as other events and celebrations of life. We even had some super press coverage but nothing that could top our national TV appearance on BBC Breakfast TV where we talked about Photographing Funerals.

A nice ending to the year has been moving into our shiny office in Old Beaconsfield town.

Please can you update your records or new details are :
19 London End
Beaconsfield Bucks
HP9 2HN
0845 409 6124

HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 2011?
We truly believe that Sentiment is not just a business, but a bit of positivity helping people celebrate life. We are hoping for the same positivity in 2011 by collaborating with more businesses and charities so we can really make a difference. If you have any projects, ideas or charity fund raising for 2011 and you would like some help or our involvment then do let us know.

We are also open to promoting your business on our Blog. If you have any special offers or you are opening the way to innovative new ideas then do let us know and we’ll do our best to announce it on the world wide web.

So here’s wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and fantastic New Year 2011.