Hello!
My name is Helen. I am a native speaker of English and grew up in Ghana, the UK and New Zealand. For over 45 years, I have been living in Switzerland, speaking Swiss German as my everyday language, in addition to High German.
I love music and singing, am an active participant in a book club focusing on literature from outside Europe and North America, and take part in a weekly meditation group in Zurich.
I have been a newspaper journalist, magazine editor, university teacher and lecturer, and have spent many years in business translation – both freelance and at companies in the Zurich financial centre.
Dr. Helen Baumer, UK qualified funeral celebrant
What I do...
As a UK qualified funeral celebrant, I deliver English-language funeral ceremonies, burial and scattering ceremonies and offer advance funeral ceremony planning in all parts of German-speaking Switzerland. I also conduct bilingual farewell ceremonies.
I would be honoured to create and lead a personalised, individual and meaningful ceremony for the person you are commemorating.
For more information about the funeral ceremonies I offer and about my other services to English-speakers in German-speaking Switzerland, select Funerals from the menu. Under Testimonials, you will find feedback sent to me by people who have asked me to lead a funeral for a loved one.
Some nuggets of information ...
On my blog page you can read about end-of-life planning in Switzerland (“Enjoy life! Your funeral is sorted”). If you are thinking about a self-determined death, you may like to find out how assisted dying works in this country (“The Choice to Die” Coming Soon).
You will also find information about repatriation of coffins and urns (“Flying coffins home”) as well as the way death procedures are organised in Switzerland (“Dying in Switzerland is different”).
And under About Me you can read more about me and my background.
How we can work together to create a fitting and compassionate ceremony…
I will spend time with you and your family, so I can get to know you and find out your wishes for the ceremony.
I will create a funeral ceremony that truly reflects both your wishes and those of your loved one. Since I will be leading the funeral, you will be free of organisational worries and responsibilities. You will appreciate the protected space of the funeral that opens up space for the emotions which are part of grieving.
You will have the support of family and friends, all of whom knew your loved one and misses them. They too will have the opportunity to mourn a person many of them have dear and fond memories of.
Your ceremony will be in safe hands. I hold the National Open College Network Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy, the highest qualification awarded to funeral celebrants in the UK, as well as the Swiss “Zeremonien-Akademie” certificate qualification. I am a very experienced writer and will create a respectful and dignified funeral ceremony for you.
Funeral services
Together we create an individual, fitting and compassionate service to celebrate the life of your loved one.
Personalised funeral ceremonies
I am guided entirely by your wishes. I conduct ceremonies independent of any cultural or religious affiliation.
Proficient in multiple languages
I speak English, High German and Swiss German and have 45 years' experience of life in Switzerland.
Local Swiss experience
I have in-depth knowledge of death and funerals in Switzerland and can assist you with all the formalities.
