Privacy Policy
Last updated: January 2025
1. Introduction
Ceremonial Journeys is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you use our services.
Margaret Dodds, trading as Ceremonial Journeys, is the data controller responsible for your personal information.
2. Information We Collect
When you contact us or use our services, we may collect:
- Contact details (name, phone number, email address, postal address)
- Information about the deceased and their life story
- Family relationships and personal preferences
- Any other information you choose to share to help create a meaningful ceremony
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Provide funeral celebrancy services and create bespoke ceremonies
- Communicate with you about your service requirements
- Coordinate with venues, funeral directors, and other professionals
- Maintain records for legal and business purposes
- Improve our services
4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data based on:
- Contract performance - to provide the celebrancy services you have requested
- Legitimate interests - to run our business effectively and improve our services
- Your consent - where you have explicitly agreed to specific uses of your data
5. Data Sharing
We may share your information with:
- Funeral directors and venues (as necessary to coordinate services)
- Professional bodies (e.g., SICA - Scottish Independent Celebrants' Association)
- Legal or regulatory authorities (if required by law)
We never sell your personal information to third parties.
6. Data Security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. This includes:
- Secure storage of physical and digital records
- Password-protected devices and encrypted communications
- Regular review of our security practices
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:
- Fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy
- Comply with legal obligations (typically 6 years for business records)
- Resolve disputes or enforce our terms
After this period, we securely delete or anonymise your data.
8. Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
- Object to or restrict certain types of processing
- Request a copy of your data in a portable format
- Withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent)
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.
9. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website does not currently use cookies or analytics tools that track your browsing behaviour. If this changes, we will update this policy and provide clear information about cookie usage.
10. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to external sites (such as TikTok). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. Please review their privacy policies separately.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact:
Margaret Dodds - Ceremonial Journeys
Email: hello@ceremonialjourneys.co.uk
Phone: 07855 940021
13. Complaints
If you are not satisfied with how we handle your personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Phone: 0303 123 1113