A woman who has officiated at more than 1,300 Ipswich funerals is thanking the community for 10 wonderful and rewarding years.

Being a funeral celebrant is both a privilege and an enormous responsibility, explained Donna Sparrow, 46.

From supporting families to writing and delivering eulogies, she meets people in their time of grief and has the task of creating a ceremony fitting and in keeping with the deceased person’s wishes.

“Every funeral is different, because of course, every person is different,” explained Donna, 46.

She was inspired to become a celebrant at her own grandfather’s funeral in 2014, when her father remarked what a good job he thought Donna would have done in the celebrant’s shoes.

Donna took him at his word, and has spent the past decade officiating at more than 1,300 funerals in and around Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: Donna said that it has been a privilege to be part of the final chapter of people's stories. Image: Donna SparrowDonna said that it has been a privilege to be part of the final chapter of people's stories. Image: Donna Sparrow (Image: Donna Sparrow)

Ipswich Star: Donna has learned that there are any number of ways to make a funeral unique and special. Image: Donna SparrowDonna has learned that there are any number of ways to make a funeral unique and special. Image: Donna Sparrow (Image: Donna Sparrow)Ipswich Star: Some coffins arrive at the funeral pulled by horses decked out with plumes. Others have their own, unique ways of arriving, perhaps with an escort of motorbikes. Image: Donna SparrowSome coffins arrive at the funeral pulled by horses decked out with plumes. Others have their own, unique ways of arriving, perhaps with an escort of motorbikes. Image: Donna Sparrow (Image: Donna Sparrow)

Music choices have included everything from Mozart to I’m Sexy and I Know It, to Love Shack and even Ring of Fire for a gentleman who had a great sense of humour.

The themes of favourite TV programmes have been played for soap lovers, with the curtains closing to the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune for one lady who never missed the show.

People’s special days have included line dancing, blowing bubbles for West Ham fans, and even impromptu sing-alongs when the power went out at a crucial moment.

Over the past decade, she has officiated at more than 1,300 funerals. That time has included tiny babies, who were sadly born sleeping, right up to Felixstowe’s Olive Boar, who at the time of her death was Britain’s oldest person at the age of 113.

Now, Donna said she is ready to ‘pass the baton’ on to other up-and-coming funeral celebrants in the town.

“I want to say thank you to the community – thank you for trusting me,” she said.

“It has meant so, so much in helping make a difficult day, I hope, a little easier, and I tried my very best in each one.”

To other celebrants, she has a few words of advice. “Be yourself – and listen,” she said. “Really listen.”