Meet Yva
With a background in English teaching, Yva became a full-time Celebrant in January of 2016 working initially within the funeral sector before finding a like-minded community within A Quiet Revolution and expanding her Celebrancy to include conducting Humanist wedding ceremonies.
Born in the Highlands, Yva has lived most of her life in and around Glasgow but made a break for the country a few years ago and moved to Strathaven; a move which her family teases her was made just so the dog could have a better garden … they’re not wrong! There she indulges her passion for interiors and up-cycling, hiking with the dog and gardening although with an enthusiasm for classic cars and motorbikes thrown in the mix too! She recently became a grandmother, although since she is VERY YOUNG for the role she has insisted on the title of G-Maw and is currently setting some kind of record for how many photographs can be taken of a baby and a dog without someone staging an intervention!
Find her on her celebrant website, or email Yva.
Born in the Highlands, Yva has lived most of her life in and around Glasgow but made a break for the country a few years ago and moved to Strathaven; a move which her family teases her was made just so the dog could have a better garden … they’re not wrong! There she indulges her passion for interiors and up-cycling, hiking with the dog and gardening although with an enthusiasm for classic cars and motorbikes thrown in the mix too! She recently became a grandmother, although since she is VERY YOUNG for the role she has insisted on the title of G-Maw and is currently setting some kind of record for how many photographs can be taken of a baby and a dog without someone staging an intervention!
Find her on her celebrant website, or email Yva.
Crafted around you
The most important thing, however, is what matters to you - how we can work together to put the joy of your union at the centre of everything. I look forward to hearing your ideas about what makes your marriage unique and working with you to craft the words and the ceremony which best represent the union that you are celebrating.
Funerals
Conducting an end of life ceremony will always have a special place in my life – my motivation to become a Celebrant came from my own experiences of creating meaningful funeral ceremonies for my loved ones, particularly for my mum, and a desire to help others achieve that same feeling of a life celebrated. I have been fortunate to participate in hundreds of ceremonies since starting out as a full-time Celebrant and the feeling of privilege that comes from sharing the joys of a life has never diminished – I love what I do.
Feedback about Yva
"Yva was recommended to our family by Heritage Funeral Services East Kilbride after my mother in law, Dorothy, passed away after a long battle with Dementia. This was the first time my family had to organize a funeral and to say we were a little lost and emotional would be understating. However, with help, guidance and support from Yva we were able to paint a full and colorful depiction of my MIL's long and happy life as a daughter, sister, wife, mum, friend and gran. Yva spent lots of time with us and other family members on the telephone, by email and Zoom meeting to truly get a feel for the personality that was Dorothy and what we wanted to say about her life from start to end. She was always compassionate and unhurried but calm and upbeat during our chats. Yva allowed us our emotions whilst considerately teasing out the little family stories and anecdotes which ultimately portrayed Dorothy as the woman she was . Friends and family who watched the service commented on how well Yva captured Dorothy - even mimicking her voice for one story - they couldn't believe they had never actually met. Yva told the life story of our loved one beautifully with exactly the right measure of celebration for a life well lived but deep sadness at the loss of such love. Yva welcomed us into the service and stayed until we left the crematorium - it was comforting to know she was also gently guiding us practically throughout the whole process. Our family cannot praise Yva's skills and emotional empathy highly enough at such a difficult time."