Debbie Martin - Humanist Funerals & Weddings

03/09/2026

Day out at Wisley Gardens yesterday, for the flower show and so many glorious dahlias ❤️🧡💖💚💜🩵

Isn’t nature incredible?

01/09/2026

Taking time out in nature at today.

I enjoyed a walk around the beautiful gardens with my dog Bodie 💜. He was tired out after and we both had a nap back at home 💖

It feels important to take time to rest and recharge 💜💖



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30/08/2026

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Dolly Parton was a living embodiment of American exceptionalism. Everything about her was exceptional: her songwriting, her voice, her appearance and her sense of self. The response to her passing has only served to underline just how exceptional she was. And in the past 24 hours, as people have reflected on her life and career, her exceptional compassion has shone through too.

If you knew nothing about Dolly, other than she was an 80 year old woman from rural Appalachia who dressed in rhinestone studded costumes, sang country music and was a person of strong faith, you might assume she would be part of the MAGA movement.

Yet at a time when some who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ are talking about “the sin of empathy” and claiming that loving thy neighbour as thyself will lead to the end of western civilisation, Dolly’s faith led her to embrace everyone. When asked to comment on the introduction of anti-trans legislation in Tennessee where she lives, she spoke in support of the transgender community.

“I just see how broken-hearted they get over certain things and I know how real they are. I know how important this is to them” she told the Hollywood Reporter in 2023 “That’s who they are. They cannot help that any more than I can help being Dolly Parton, you know, the way people know me. If there’s something to be judged, that is God’s business. But we are all God’s children and how we are is who we are.”

The fact that Dolly Parton was beloved by Republicans and Democrats alike is a reminder that the compassionate America has not gone away, that it still endures and inspires despite being eclipsed by Trumpism for the past decade. And in many ways, Dolly was the Anti-Trump, self effacing where he is self aggrandising, benevolent where he is transactional, sincere where he is cynical and unifying where his is divisive.

There was no Us and Them with Dolly. Her stock response to questions of politics was to state that she “just wanted everyone to be treated good”.

Her passing is a great loss, but she remains an example to all of us who base our politics on that principle.

28/08/2026

What do 2 funeral celebrants do for fun on a Friday night? We go for a bat walk at a burial ground, of course 💖🖤🦇

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Great to see you Sarah 💖🤩🌅

20/08/2026

A heartfelt farewell today to lovely J, a much loved mum, grandma and great grandma. She loved bright colours, cats and butterflies, so I dressed accordingly 💖🦋😻

There were tears and laughter as we shared stories and remembered a precious life. 🌸💖🦋

13/08/2026

Lucky me getting to marry these 2 beauties yesterday at Brighton Beach Bandstand. I’ve got to know M&J over several months and led their humanist ceremony yesterday. It was a fabulous bi-lingual wedding filled with joy, laughter and happy tears.

I love my job and couldn’t stop smiling 💖 Thank you M&J for asking me to be your celebrant. It’s been an absolute pleasure and delight. I wish you all the happiness in the world 💖🧡

If you’re planning to get married and want a lovely, fun, happy, relaxed ceremony that is totally you, then message me. I’m a confident, experienced celebrant who particularly loves an outdoor ceremony. 💖🧡🩵💜 LGBTQ+ wedding enquiries positively welcomed ❤️🩵💜🧡💖💚

12/08/2026

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We are told not to stare directly at the eclipse. You can however stare at my poem called ‘staring directly at the eclipse’. I wrote it as a short list of the things that make my life worth living. It was written a few years ago when I was particularly down. It became the title poem of my first Flapjack Book. You can add your own lines.

STARING DIRECTLY AT THE ECLIPSE

Your feet on my lap
as we settle for the night

A shoreline to ourselves
Sunlight on water

Nature catching the eye unexpected
Fresh air intoxicating

Getting lost in art or endeavour
Music that carries and caresses

Food presented as a gift
Being surprised by genius or kindness

Your face flush and immediate
A friendly soul at my window

Hope in all forms however tiny
The comforting mundanity of doing nothing much

The absence of pain and fear
however fleeting

A familiar arm around my shoulder
The satisfaction of something done well

Loyalty and honour embraced
Minor revelations of perception

The defiance within spirit against overwhelming odds
Valour and grace in the face of the inevitable

To spite death
and make his victory hollow

12/08/2026

Excited much 🤩💖💜 Off to lead a wedding here today, Bandstand Bar & Bistro. It’s a bi-lingual wedding with a very lovely couple and I’m delighted to be their celebrant for their very special day 💖🌅🤩🌸🥂.



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27/07/2026

🧵 Calling all sewists, stitchers, quilters and seamstresses! ✂️✨

We've had an absolutely HUGE fabric donation.

Our shelves are now packed with gorgeous fabrics, including:
🧶 Fabric rolls from just £5–£9
✨ Beautiful silk rolls starting from £8
🛍️ Scrap fabric bags also available – perfect for patchwork, crafting and smaller projects!

Be quick – with a donation this good, these beauties won't stay on the shelves for long!

📍 Visit us at Sussex Emmaus, Drove Road, Portslade, BN41 2PA
🕰️ Open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm
🚙 Free parking

14/07/2026

Posting video from yesterday at Woodvale 💖💜 💖💜🌸