Funeral Celebrant Privacy Policy for Eternal Rest Ltd

Martin Stone is a dedicated member of the Association of Independent Celebrants (AOIC), the UK’s leading trade association for independent celebrants. As a member, he adheres to the professional standards and Code of Practice established by AOIC, ensuring that all funeral celebrant services are delivered with integrity. Members are also required to have appropriate insurance and either formal training or recognised qualifications.

The AOIC has built strong connections within the broader funeral profession, being a supplier member of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and an associate member of SAIF – The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors. This establishes a vital link between professional celebrants and the funeral directors they collaborate with, enhancing the overall quality of funeral celebrant services.

For Martin, his membership reflects a deeper commitment to professionalism, transparency, and accountability. Understanding that families place immense trust in those arranging and conducting a funeral, he believes that this trust must be bolstered by clear professional standards, appropriate safeguards, and robust working relationships across the funeral profession. Additionally, he values the importance of personal data protection, ensuring that all practices align with stringent guidelines.

The AOIC also supports its members through ongoing professional development, guidance, and resources, enabling celebrants to stay informed about industry developments and maintain the high standards expected in their work.

Martin Stone is also a member of the Academy of Professional Celebrants (APC), a respected professional organization that focuses on training, guidance, and continuing professional development for celebrants. This funeral celebrant membership enhances his connection to the wider community of funeral celebrant services, ensuring high professional standards and ongoing education. The APC supports celebrants in developing their knowledge and skills, while also emphasizing the importance of personal data protection in their work. Martin's membership complements the pastoral experience and funeral work he provides to the families he supports through Eternal Rest.

In my work as a funeral celebrant, I adhere to the principles outlined in the Funeral Celebrant Charter, which details the expectations for professional funeral celebrant services, including those covered by my funeral celebrant membership. I prioritize acting with professionalism, integrity, and respect while ensuring personal data protection measures are upheld in accordance with our privacy policy. My approach includes listening carefully to families and their wishes, creating personalized ceremonies that reflect the life of the deceased, and working calmly and sensitively with those who are grieving. I also collaborate respectfully with funeral directors, crematorium staff, and other professionals involved in the service. Additionally, I provide families the opportunity to review the ceremony ahead of the day, whenever appropriate. This commitment to professionalism, care, and attention to detail is central to my work.

I also support the principles outlined in the Funeral Celebrant Accord, which emphasizes the essential role of funeral celebrant services in creating and leading personal, respectful, and accurate funeral ceremonies. At Eternal Rest Ltd, we adhere to stringent personal data protection measures alongside a comprehensive privacy policy, ensuring that every aspect of our service respects the dignity of the deceased and their loved ones. Our funeral celebrant membership, exemplified by professionals like Martin Stone, is dedicated to serving the bereaved and their community by helping craft a ceremony that truly reflects the life, values, and beliefs of the person who has died, while providing support to those who gather to remember them.

Eternal Rest Ltd, led by Martin Stone, offers compassionate funeral celebrant services that are customized to meet the unique needs of each family. We prioritize respect for privacy and confidentiality, which are essential during such sensitive times. Personal stories and information shared with us are handled with the utmost care and discretion to ensure they remain confidential.

This privacy policy details how we collect, use, and protect personal data. Eternal Rest Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and complies with the data protection requirements laid out in the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Who We Are

Eternal Rest Ltd Company Number: 15612473

Registered Office: 82 Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1LG, United Kingdom

As the data controller, Eternal Rest Ltd is responsible for all personal data entrusted to us.

Information We May Collect

To provide our funeral celebrant services, we may collect and process the following types of information:

- Names and contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses

- Information concerning the deceased person

- Details shared by family members about the deceased’s life, relationships, and character

- Information critical for arranging and conducting funeral services

- Information submitted via our website contact form

- Communications received through email, telephone, or other means

We recognize that some of the personal data shared may be sensitive, and we pledge to treat it with the highest level of care and respect.

How We Use Your Information

Your personal data may be utilized for various purposes, including:

- Responding to enquiries

- Arranging and conducting funeral ceremonies

- Preparing funeral service scripts and written tributes

- Communicating with families, funeral directors, and crematoria as required

- Maintaining essential business records and accounts

- Enhancing the functionality of our website

Lawful Basis for Processing

In compliance with UK GDPR, we have several lawful bases for processing personal data, such as:

- Legitimate interests to provide the requested funeral celebrant services

- Contractual necessity when services are agreed upon

- Legal obligations for retaining information for accounting or regulatory purposes

Sensitive personal data is only used as necessary for the effective delivery of funeral services.

Sharing Information

We share personal data only when necessary to fulfill our services. This may include sharing information with:

- Funeral directors

- Crematoria or cemeteries

- Other celebrants who assist in the service when appropriate

Your personal information will never be sold or used for unrelated marketing purposes.

Data Storage and Security

Eternal Rest Ltd implements reasonable measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. We store information securely in password-protected digital systems, secure email communications, or, when necessary, protected paper records.

Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as required to provide our funeral celebrant services and to meet legal or accounting obligations. Contact details and correspondence related to funeral arrangements are typically deleted after the service is completed. However, a limited record of the funeral director’s confirmation of services may be retained for accounting purposes, usually for up to seven years before secure deletion.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

- Request access to your personal data

- Request correction of inaccurate information

- Request deletion of personal data when appropriate

- Object to the processing of your data in certain circumstances

- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office

Complaints

If you are not satisfied with how your personal data has been handled, you have the right to file a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office. Website: https://ico.org.uk

Updates

This privacy policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legal requirements or business practices. Effective date: 10th March 2026.