Dylan Edwards

Becoming a funeral celebrant was a natural progression for me, in part based on the birth order in my family. As the last child of parents who were in their mid-40’s when I was born a good many decades ago, I’ve attended a lot of family funerals over the past 30-odd years, usually being asked to give the eulogies. The final nudge came with my brother’s funeral, which I couldn’t attend because of COVID-19, but his family organized a wonderful online event led by a humanist celebrant that brought together friends and family from all over the world. I felt how much this helped everyone, even though we weren’t together in person. I experienced how a good humanist celebrant crafts a ceremony with the person who has died at its heart, honouring and celebrating the life they have led and the ways it touched those who knew them. This is what I try to do in the ceremonies I lead.

Each person is unique and the ways that we commemorate the life of someone who has died should also provide a special and significant tribute for them. Whether someone has lived a long, rich life or one that has been cut short by illness or adversity, or has not had a proper chance to begin, all are special and I will work with you to create the fitting tribute, whatever the location or the type of ceremony that is desired.

About myself – I am now retired from a career as a university academic and cancer researcher, having worked in many locations in the UK and Canada. I live in Norwich, am married and kept busy by my black Labrador Monty and a classic car, as well as involvement with Norfolk’s cancer charity, Big C.

I think I’ve always had a humanist outlook. For me, humanism is recognition that we are all equal, and without the input of any higher power or deity, we are responsible for our own destinies and can influence that of the planet and all life on it. As a scientist I find it beautiful that we have evolved from earlier life forms, of which we see the traces in our DNA. And that when we die, that is the end for us – we return to the atoms that make up the planet.  As a humanist I believe we choose to live moral lives based on empathy and common values that benefit the greater good of the communities we live in.