A BEAUTIFUL KEEPSAKE
A life worth remembering.
Story of Life brings together the memories of family and friends and turns them into a beautiful book.
A portrait of a loved one’s life.
Their character. Their relationships. Their humour. The big moments — and the little stories that made them who they were
A story to read.
A story to share.
A story to keep.
NO FUNERAL DOESN'T MEAN NO STORY.
Everyone remembers something different.
An old friend remembers their adventures together.
A partner remembers how they met the love of their life — and all that came next.
A brother remembers holidays and the mischief they got up to.
Their children remember the sayings, the habits, the support, and the love.
Story of Life brings those memories together into one story the whole family can keep.
A grandchild remembers the sayings, the treats and the little traditions that were simply theirs.
EVERY LIFE IS A STORY. A STORY THAT DESERVES TO BE TOLD.
Choosing direct cremation?
A simple goodbye can still hold a lot of meaning.
Direct cremation can be a simple, personal and entirely appropriate way to say goodbye.
But without a traditional funeral, there may be no eulogy. No moment when somebody stands up and tells the story of the person who has died.
Story of Life offers another way to do that. Direct cremation takes care of the essentials. Story of Life helps you remember.
“21% of UK funerals are now direct cremation. 86% of those families still hold a separate service, wake, or celebration of life either before or after the unattended cremation.”
A SIMPLE, CARING PROCESS
You remember.
I find the story of their life.
Tell me about your loved one.
We start with an informal conversation. Tell me who you'd like to remember and a little about them. You don't need to prepare anything, and there's no obligation to go ahead.
We talk, I listen, and I find their story.
I’ll send you a fact-finding questionnaire (sample) and have relaxed telephone or video call conversations with typically 3 or 4 family members or friends. I'll ask about the big things, the little things, and the memories that capture their story.
I write, you review, we polish together.
I bring those memories together into one beautifully written portrait of their life. We can also include 25-30 photos with captions. Of course, you'll receive a draft so the family can check and approve everything before we design and print the finished Story of Life.
Most Stories of Life are completed within two to three weeks of our conversations — or sooner if you have a memorial event or other deadline.
We preserve their story — forever
Once approved, their Story of Life is professionally designed and printed. You'll receive a beautiful printed keepsake and a digital edition that can be shared with family wherever they are.. You can also order more printed copies at extra cost (see pricing).
Story of Life
£695
January 15
Relaxed conversations with family and friends.
Maggie was a daughter. A sister. A wife for 53 years. A mum. A gran. An office worker. A lover of Motown. A hater of coriander.
A woman who kept birthday cards up for weeks, always had a sweet or a tissue to hand, and never failed to phone to make sure you'd got home safely.
Her family remembered hundreds of things.
Together, those memories became her Story of Life.
WHAT DOES A STORY OF LIFE LOOK LIKE?
Meet Maggie.
This isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of what we believe in. We’re here to create work that matters.
— Source
This isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of what we believe in. We’re here to create work that matters.
— Source
This isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of what we believe in. We’re here to create work that matters.
— Source
Family photos
Include up to 30 photos in the finished design.
3-5,000 words
Written as a warm and heartfelt portrait of their life.
January 15
You’ll receive a draft for your comments and builds.
Professional design
Beautifully designed and produced as a book
Printed and digital
One printed copy (more can be ordered) + PDF version
WHY STORY OF LIFE?
I’ve spent my working life listening to people and telling their stories.
I’m Kyle MacRae, the founder of Story of Life.
I began my career as a journalist and writer. Journalism taught me that the first answer is rarely the whole story. You listen. You ask another question. You notice the small detail somebody mentions in passing. You follow it.
And very often, that is where you find the thing that really matters — the heart of the story.
Today I work as a funeral celebrant. That means I spend a great deal of time sitting with families, hearing about the people they’ve loved and lost, and writing heartfelt eulogies.
And I’ve learned something. When families talk about somebody who has died, they rarely begin with achievements.
They tell stories.
The funny ones. The ordinary ones. The ones they’ve told a hundred times. The tiny details that somehow capture an entire person’s spirit. Again and again, I’ve watched families laugh while remembering someone they miss.
Story of Life grew from a simple idea. Those stories are worth keeping. Even when — perhaps especially when — there’s no traditional funeral or eulogy.
Skip the limos. Don’t skip the story.
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Not exactly.
A Story of Life may contain some of the memories you might hear in a eulogy, but it is written to be kept rather than delivered as part of a funeral service.
Families can, of course, use extracts at a celebration of life, ashes ceremony or family gathering if they wish.
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No.
Story of Life is for any family who wants someone’s story preserved.
We’re particularly interested in helping families choosing direct cremation because there may not be a traditional funeral service where that story is told.
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Usually up to three people who knew the person well.
That might be a partner, son or daughter, sibling, friend — or any combination that helps me build a rounded picture of their life.
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That’s completely fine.
This isn’t an exam, and you don’t need to prepare a full chronology.
I’m interested in the person as much as the dates. Often it’s the little details and stories that tell me far more about somebody than a timeline ever could.
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Absolutely.
Conversations can take place by video or telephone, so contributors can be anywhere in the UK or overseas.
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No.
Every Story of Life is personally interviewed, written and edited by me.
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Absolutely.
You’ll receive the complete written draft before it is designed. Your family can then submit one consolidated round of corrections to make sure names, dates and factual details are right. We don’t finalise the Story of Life until you are fully satisfied.
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Most Stories of Life are completed within two to three weeks of our conversations.
There’s no need for this to coincide with the cremation. We can begin whenever the time feels right for your family.
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A Story of Life costs £695.
That includes the family conversations, writing and editing of around 3-5,000 words, professional design using up to 30 photographs, a digital edition and one printed book.
Additional printed copies can be ordered separately.
FAQ.
A few questions you might have.
If you’re wondering whether Story of Life is right for your family, these are some of the things people often want to know.
Still wondering about something?
Let’s have a conversation. Tell me about your loved one and what you have in mind. No obligation.
LET’S TALK.
Every life is a story.
Their life was unique, and meaningful. Their story should be the same.
If you’re thinking about creating a Story of Life for someone you’ve lost, tell me a little about them. You don’t need to know whether you want to go ahead yet. We’ll simply start with a conversation.
A personal service
You’ll deal directly with me from the first conversation to the finished story.
Safe and confidential
Everything you share is treated with discretion and respect.
No obligation
Our first conversation is simply a chance to talk about them and see whether Story of Life feels right for you.