If you want me to lead  a funeral service for you, or if you want more information, ring me (evenings and weekends are fine) on

0788 1978 683

If your funeral director suggests my services to you, I will make contact with you by telephone, and arrange to come and meet you. I am usually available for the “family meeting” in the evenings or at weekends, as well as during the working day. I will come to your home for this meeting, unless you wish otherwise.

I will maintain contact with you, and with the funeral director, throughout the period from our first telephone call to the end of the funeral service. You are welcome to call me or email me, whenever you like.

At the family meeting, you may wish to include other members of the family, or a close friend. A family meeting may last anything from 45 minutes to two and a half hours.

At our meeting we will

– talk through your specific ideas about the service;

– if you have no clear thoughts, I can make suggestions. Remember: there is no fixed format or template for a Humanist funeral service – they are all different and tailored to your needs and thoughts;

– think about whether you, or anyone else, may wish to speak at the service;

– think about whether you wish me to read any words written by you or someone else;

– talk about the life-story of the person who has died, so that I can write a full, fitting, personal tribute, which will be central part of the funeral service;

– discuss your choice of music, and you may have particular readings or poems which you would like included;

– discuss any announcements you may wish me to make on your behalf ( a gathering after the service? donations to a charity? a special “thank you” to an individual or group of people?)

After the family meeting I will

– write the tribute; I may ask you to check details like names and dates;

– confirm details with the funeral director;

– liaise with you and the funeral director in the production of an Order of Service, if you want one;

– arrange for the music to be available at the crematorium or burial site, as appropriate;

– prepare the words for the whole service;

– liaise with the organist at the crematorium, if appropriate;

– be available to you to answer any questions;

– provide you with a copy of all the words of the service, in a folder, when the ceremony is over;

– provide you, if you so wish, with an electronic copy of the words, for you to email to anyone who was unable to attend.

 

If you have any questions ring

0788 1978 683