Respectful Funeral Ceremonies - A Celebration of Life
Planning a funeral is a difficult experience
I know from personal experience how hard it is to lose someone special in your life. Grief is a complex emotion that is experienced differently by each and every one of us. My funeral ceremonies focus on the life of your loved one and their full life's journey.
A funeral is a sad occasion, but it is also important to celebrate the person who no longer walks beside us. I am here to work with you to respectfully learn about your loved one, and those that they loved around them.
What is a humanist funeral?
A humanist funeral is a non-religious and personal funeral ceremony, led by a celebrant who has taken the time to learn about your loved one's life, their passions, their hobbies, their career and everyone that they loved around them. It recognises the profound sadness of saying farewell, whilst celebrating their life and character.
What does a humanist funeral celebrant do?
I am here to;
- listen to your loved one's story
- listen to your, and their wishes
- guide you through what will happen on the day
- give you suggestions on what you can include
- learn about you and your loved one as people
- create a ceremony that is filled with love and respect
- keep you calm and support you
- coordinate with your Funeral Director and venue staff
- deliver a ceremony that you know your loved one would be proud of
With me, you get more than just a ceremony, you get someone who invests in you as people.
What happens at the funeral ceremony itself?
On the day of the funeral I will help you to greet your friends and family including people who may be joining via video link. I'll work alongside the Funeral Director and their team. I will conduct the ceremony that we have agreed together beforehand. If friends and relatives don’t feel comfortable speaking in public but want to say something, I am happy to read on their behalf.
The tone and format of the funeral ceremony will have also been agreed with you in advance. Some families like to have an upbeat celebration of life, and for others something more solemn is appropriate.
What will always be the case is that the ceremony will provide a true reflection of the life of your loved one and of their character.
There will be time as part of the ceremony for reflection. This reflection time is usually accompanied by a piece of music, but can also be silent if you wish. You may also want to play a slideshow of photos at this point too.
Where are humanist funerals held?
Most humanist funeral ceremonies are conducted at a crematorium, cemetery, or woodland burial site. However, as funerals have no legal status, you are free to hold a ceremony wherever you choose.
Your loved one may have opted for a direct cremation, where there is no service held. A memorial service may be an option for you and these can also be held anywhere.
Scattering of ashes ceremonies are also something that I offer. The location for the scattering is usually somewhere that held deep meaning to the person who has passed away.
To find out more about Humanist Funeral Ceremonies, please visit the Funeral Ceremony FAQs Page here.
Creating the funeral ceremony
When you book me as your funeral celebrant, I will get in touch as soon as possible to firstly offer my condolences and to arrange a suitable time for us to meet.
We can meet for a coffee, or I can come and visit with you and other family members at your home. I will also make contact with your Funeral Director.
At our meeting I will talk through what you can expect and find out your wishes and those of your loved one. We will talk about your loved one's life and I will take lots of notes.
I will then create the first draft of the ceremony script for your review. We will then work together until it is exactly what you would like on the day.