Funerals and Memorials
A funeral is a ritual that for many is the last thing you can physically give your loved one. A Humanist funeral or memorial focuses on the person. Each funeral aims to remember the person in a balanced and real way. When I am asked to write a funeral, it is imperative that to deliver a Celebration of a person’s life (which adequately reflects the individual) I am given the correct information and that, if I have not met the person for whom I am writing the funeral I get a good overall background; a feel for the person that they were. My skills as a nurse and counsellor are helpful here as well as the varied life experience I have gained.
A humanist funeral can be held anywhere you wish as long as the funeral director you have employed is willing to assist you with your requests. This gives lots of flexibility and allows you to tailor make the celebration of your loved ones life in a way that adequately reflects their wishes.
Q. How do I organise a non religious funeral?
1) Ask your funeral director to contact me. Your funeral director will be familiar with non religious funerals.
2) Inform your funeral director you wish to use a Humanist Celebrant. Ring me with the funeral directors details and I will contact them.
Q. What happens next?
I will meet with the family and have input from those who knew the deceased. Each funeral is as unique as the person it is written for. Together we will explore your requirements and wishes. This will include any wishes your loved one may have expressed.
Q. What do we need to do as a family?
As a family it is helpful to me if you can prepare the following:
A collection of stories or interesting facts about your loved ones life. For example likes and dislikes; funny sayings or habits; places of education; or anything you feel may be relevant.
Pictures of your loved one , so I can get a sense of who they are and what they look like.
Three pieces of music. Try to choose pieces that are specific or remind you of your loved one.
Find out if anyone in the family or friends wants to read on the day- if they do I will need to know what they are going to say, and how many words their reading is in length.
Are there any pieces of poetry, prose or readings that you wish to include on the day? This may be a poem that has been written specifically for the occasion or may be a standard poem that has already been written.
When we meet I will collate all this information and my role is to bring together all this information into a ceremony format to conduct on the day.
Q. What happens on the day?
Your funeral director will guide you on the day; they will handle all the arrangements. If there are any speakers (either family or friends) it is helpful if you can ask them to introduce themselves to me on the day (if we have not met) so I will be able to position them near to me when calling them to the lectern.
After the ceremony,I will send you a full copy of the script to keep. If you wish the ceremony sent via e-mail so you can share with other family members I can also do this for you.
If you have any questions you need answered please telephone me on 07968069616 /.01443 208406