Grief, Growth, and Finding Purpose: A Funeral Celebrant's Story

Work It Like A Mum

This week, I’m joined by one of my oldest and dearest friends — the incredibly grounded and wise Nikki Lodge-Frear. A former teacher, Nikki has built a beautiful, purpose-led business as a funeral celebrant.

This conversation is tender, honest, and surprisingly uplifting — an exploration of what it means to hold space for people at their most vulnerable, and how grief can quietly teach us about presence, humanity, and even joy.

💬 What We Cover:

• Nikki’s journey from the classroom to the crematorium — and why it felt like coming home
• The unique joy and depth she’s discovered through celebrancy work
• How to hold space for others without losing yourself
• Grief as a universal human experience, not something to be “fixed”
• Why traditional business rules don’t always apply — and what it looks like to grow slowly, intentionally, and sustainably
• What balance really means as a parent doing meaningful work

🔑 Key Takeaways:

🌱 It’s never too late to pivot — Your career path doesn’t need to be linear to be meaningful.

🖤 Grief is part of life — Learning how to support others through loss is a vital skill we all need.

🧠 Experience over qualifications — Nikki’s success came from mentorship, empathy, and lived experience.

🗣 Celebrancy is a people-first profession — It’s about listening, storytelling, and creating space for healing.

✨ You don’t need to follow the “normal” route — Nikki’s story proves that non-traditional paths can lead to incredibly fulfilling work.

👩‍👧‍👦 Balance is a priority — Choosing work that fits your life and values is key, especially as a parent.

A nourishing episode for anyone curious about working with heart, navigating change, or showing up for others with real presence.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Nikki on Facebook

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Work it Like A Mum (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Nikki: From Teacher to Celebrant (00:01:55)

3. The Career Change Journey (00:06:20)

4. A Day in a Funeral Celebrant's Life (00:10:12)

5. Balancing Family and Funeral Work (00:17:25)

6. Understanding Grief and Supporting Others (00:29:18)

7. Finding Joy During End-of-Life (00:37:57)

8. Life Lessons from Working with Death (00:45:05)

9. Funeral Myths and Common Questions (00:52:03)

10. Episode Wrap-up and Closing (00:54:11)