John N Merrill

Personal information

Name

John N Merrill

Description of Services Offered

I embrace and honour all faiths. Each faith has its own beauty. I was brought up as a Christian and Quaker, but much of my life has been absorbed in Eastern traditions of Buddhism and Toaism, with Native Indian and Shamanism.

Using his knowledge and experience he combines many faiths into a simple, caring and devoted service, individually made for each specific occasion, with dignity and honour.

He conducts funerals in Cemetery Chapels (burials), Crematorium's, Woodland burial parks and ashes internment.

John can also print in either Black/White or full colour your Funeral Service Sheet.

He undertakes pilgrimages to many pilgrimage centres in Britain, Europe and the world. These include Canterbury, Walsingham, St. Albans, St Peter's chapel on the wall, St. Winefride's Well, to Santiago de Compostella, Fatima and to St. Olav's cathedral in Norway. He has written guidebooks to the walks and John leads parties to these destinations, on foot.

Illustrated & Inspirational Talks - John gives a wide range of talks on pilgrimages and walking, gained from walking more than 200,000 miles in the last 45 years. He also talks in depth about his life's journey - "Walking my Way."
His latest talk - The Cathars Way - in southern France, walking and visiting many of the sights associated with the 13th. century heresy.

"May you go in peace, with Joy in your heart and may the divine be always at your side."

"I cannot be defined,
No label sticks to me,
No pigeon hole do I fit.
I am connected to everything,
I am part of the whole"
Revd. John Merrill - 17/9/2010

He has been guided all his life and brings unique characteristics to all that he does.

"There are many paths up a mountain, but only one summit."

I cremate a saint.

My first full year as a minister has seen me be celebrant at dozens of funerals; all are fascinating and a honour to do. My last one on December 30th 2011 was perhaps the most moving. She died aged 54 and met her soul partner 15 years ago. Going against the trend she had her first son at 40, a daughter 3 years later and a further 3 years later another son. Two years later she was diagnosed with cancer. For more than five years she battled the disease, which was terminal, and lived far longer than normal. She spent her last six weeks in the North London Hospice. There they granted her final wish; she married her partner. The staff arranged everything in 24 hours - the cake, service, rings, and balloons. It was the happiest day of her life and was the cover story in the local newspaper. I sat with her husband in the lounge with Just Married balloons and created a fitting service. He even found a poem she had written about him a year ago. I included this in the service sheet, together with her wedding photo and a large picture by the coffin. Her final words to him - “I have served my purpose and given you three fine children”. She never complained or said a word in anger, she just her home and family.

Revd. John N. Merrill 30/12/2011

Contact information

Phone

01992 762776

Website

http://pilgrimways.co.uk

Location