Jeroen Hartel

Jeroen Hartel provides funeral speaking and ritual guidance for families preparing a personal farewell. Working as a ritual guide and speaker, he listens to relatives and brings their memories and feelings together in a fitting tribute to the person who has died. He can also speak on the family’s behalf about their loved one’s life during the service.

The process begins with a conversation about the family’s wishes and how they would like the farewell to unfold. Hartel discusses the service step by step, including music, photographs, film, and other preferences. He also arranges for the required audio and visual materials to be provided at the venue. When asked to tell the person’s story, he takes time to speak with relatives so the tribute reflects who their loved one was and what the family wishes to share. Usually, his visit lasts two to two and a half hours. One or several days before the funeral, he emails his text to the family, giving them an opportunity to request changes and retain control over what is said. Hartel is a registered ritual guide and a member of the Dutch Association of Ritual Guides.