Andy Ison – Humanist and non-religious ceremonies

I live in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, and, as a celebrant with Humanists UK, I work across the region, travelling across the county and further afield to do funerals and memorial ceremonies. Meeting people at such an important moment in life, creating and leading ceremonies that can really help to celebrate the life of someone special, to bring comfort and even some hope, is a wonderful privilege. Throughout history, we have responded to this deep need to gather at a time of pain and loss, to share stories, to support each other, to grieve together, to find hope together. We want to craete ceremonies that help, ceremonies that focus on the person and celebrate their lives in fitting ways by being genuine, honest, beautiful. Humanists ceremonies are wonderful occasions, creative and life-giving encounters that allow us to express ourselves in ways that truly reflect our values.

Our ceremonies can be celebrated anywhere to suit your needs. There are no set rules or structures so they can be rich and varied in their words and symbols. Together, we can create personal and meaningful ceremonies, gatherings that are supportive and uplifting, quiet and reflective, emotional and funny, memorable occasions which touch the lives of all who attend.

If you would like me to be involved in your ceremony, contact can be made through your chosen Funeral Director or contact me directly by phone, text or email:

07522 553491

andy_ison@hotmail.com

andrew.ison@humanistceremonies.org.uk  

It is best if we are able to meet directly but sometimes that isn’t possible and we have a range of technologies that can be used. The key thing is to share the stories that provide the focus for the ceremony. With music, photos, symbols and words, we can create a ceremony that honours this person you have loved and whose life and legacy you want to celebrate.

I work closely with your Funeral Director to ensure that everything is well-oragnised and you are comfortable with all that will happen on the day. As the ceremony takes shape, I will share draft versions with you so that changes and additions can be made. We will work together so that the ceremony is just what you want. I will share a formal copy of the ceremony with you by email and also bring a printed copy on the day where it will be my privilege to lead the event on the day.

For those who cannot attend

Not being able to attend funerals is one of the saddest and most difficult aspects of the current crisis. In doing the best we can to help, there are a number of things that might be done.

• Sharing the ceremony – The formal copy of the ceremony can be emailed to those who cannot attend the ceremony. In this way, they can have a record of it but also, if they wish, they can follow the ceremony on the day, wherever they are in the world.
• Video links and webcasts – Most chapels and crematoria can broadcast by video so that people can access the live streaming of the ceremony. This has been a great help and a source of real comfort for many people.
• Online Ceremonies – If you prefer, a simple funeral ceremony could be followed by an online broadcast, a gathering on Skype or Zoom, where we use some or all of the ceremony and add in tributes and thoughts from others who could not attend. This take some planning but can be a good way to help people say goodbye.
• Other Gatherings – Many families are hoping to hold a ceremony at a later date as a way of celebrating the life of the loved one who has died. These will be similar to memorial ceremonies, tributes that can be held anywhere and at suitable times, allowing people to gather, to share their thoughts, to support each other and to celebrate life. These ceremonies can take any form that suits you so please contact me if you would like to discuss and plan things.

The Humanists UK Network

There is always a concern that, in these challenging times, something might happen that affects the ceremony. The most obvious problem is if I were to become ill ahead of the ceremony. In this situation, we are lucky to have a strong and experienced team of celebrants who support each other, and one of them would stand in on the day, delivering the ceremony as you requested.

If you have any questions on this or any other matters, please contact meat all please don’t hesitate to contact me.

07522 553491

andy_ison@hotmail.com

andrew.ison@humanistceremonies.org.uk