Announcements

JUNE ROSE CEREMONIES

07379 982487 | juneroseceremonies@gmail.com n Weddings n Funerals n Celebrations of Life n Baby/Child Naming Ceremonies n Vow Renewals n Birthday memorial celebrations and any other significant celebrations or rights of passage juneroseceremonies.co.uk Mark your occasions in the West Dorset Magazine

Following the news of the Queen’s death, we got to thinking how important announcements of births, marriages and deaths are to our readers. And we decided they were so important we would offer them for free from now on. We feel with funeral and celebration costs on the rise, like everything else, we can help out at the best and worst of times. So if you would like to announce a birth or a wedding, an engagement or say congratulations, let us know. If a loved one has passed away, you can let people know and detail funeral arrangements in The West Dorset Magazine. We will also introduce an announcements section on our website for people to view notices and submit announcements online. To submit an announcement for publication, please email classifieds@westdorsetmag. co.uk or call 01305 566336.

Why you need lasting power of attorney

Chris Tennant, from Maplebrook Wills, explains why organising who will take charge of your affairs if you become incapable of managing them yourself is such an important step. What are Lasting Powers of Attorney and why do I need one? Like Wills, lasting powers of attorney (LPA’s) are an essential part of estate planning. Why? While wills only come into effect once a person has died, LPAs are effective if someone is still alive but no longer able to function normally. LPAs allow you to nominate a trusted person called an attorney. They can make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so.

SOUND ADVICE: Chris Tennant of Maplebrook Wills

An LPA gives the attorney the authority to act on your behalf. Both financially and with matters pertaining to your health and care. It goes without saying that attorneys must be people you trust. But what happens if someone doesn’t have an LPA? If you lose mental capacity a bank would freeze all accounts –including any in joint names. Even family members would not be able to access them at first. Obtaining access to the accounts requires a long, drawn-out application to the Court of Protection, and this is a far more expensive process than getting an LPA in the first place. There are two types of LPA document – one that covers financial matters and the other health. You should get both types of LPA drawn up as soon as possible, well in advance of when – or if – they might be needed. Chris said: “Without a ‘lasting power of attorney’ document created in advance, families can find themselves locked out of an ailing loved one’s finances and facing a complicated court process to be appointed their ‘deputy’, with fees running into many thousands of pounds.” To book an appointment with Maplebrook Wills call 07832 331594.

By Miranda Robertson

miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk Giving an address at her father’s funeral in January, Tracie Williams discovered something about herself. Despite the pain, telling the story of his life and what he meant to his family was something that came naturally to her. Her husband Duncan, who works for Grassby’s funeral directors, told her she should consider training as a celebrant –and that’s just what she did. Tracie, 56, who lives in Alton Pancras in the Piddle Valley, is no stranger to significant life events, having been a midwife, nurse and health visitor for over 20 years. For the last 13 years, she has been a Slimming World consultant, overseeing groups in south and west Dorset and helping her members reach their target weight with weekly support sessions. “I love it,” she said. “I am most definitely a people person.” Tracie was juggling running the groups and providing childcare for her daughter’s two children until two years ago, when her daughter moved to the Isle of Man, leaving her with time on her hands. So her husband’s suggestion came at just the right time. She travelled to Yorkshire for a week’s training to be a celebrant. She said: “My husband liked that I told the story of my dad’s life and my eulogy was all very much about my dad, with personal content about my relationship with him and memories of others. “He felt that I delivered it clearly and stayed calm and did him proud. “The celebrant course was an intense week. I’m also doing eight assignments for the training and have a personal tutor. I’ve done six celebrations so far. They’ve all been different and I’ve enjoyed them all for different reasons. “I love meeting people and writing the stories of their loved ones’ lives.” Tracie usually meets the family at their home to learn about what they want for their ceremony –whether that’s a wedding, funeral, naming ceremony or other celebration. She said: “I have a child naming ceremony coming up, for friend who’s adopting a little girl and I also have a wedding soon. “The funeral director sorts out the music, so my side is writing the story and delivering that. I send the eulogy or address back and forth so the final version is perfect, so there are no surprises on the day. I find it challenging but enjoyable.” She added: “I’m hoping this will take off and blossom, so I can be there for people at the important times of their lives and make a difference.”

THIS IS YOUR LIFE: Celebrant Tracie Williams

Celebrate being a people person and a celebrant

n juneroseceremonies@ gmail.com n juneroseceremonies. co.uk n 07379 982487