Hello

I’m Frank Ward, one of the growing number of Humanist Celebrants in Yorkshire who can provide a personal and sensitive funeral.

Who am I?

 I am a committed Humanist and I have spent most of my working life in Health and Social Care. I live in Harrogate but can travel easily to other parts of Yorkshire or, subject to availability, abroad if necessary.

 

 

Why am I a Celebrant? 

I became interested in becoming a Celebrant after being impressed by the British Humanist Association Celebrant who conducted the funeral of a colleague. It was sensitive, caring and gave me a real understanding of the meaning of life for the person I had known.

You are probably reading these web pages because you feel, like I did, that funerals should be special to the person and individually crafted to suit the experiences, personality and above the wishes of them and their families.

After a traditional early C of E upbringing, but with some interesting conflicting non-conformist and Roman Catholic influences I found that I had an interest rather than a belief in religion and took no particular comfort from it.  My deeper enquiries initially sparked an interest in ordination but led me eventuality to realise that not all religions could be right and then later to realise that, rationally, there is no spiritual higher force, we are all here just the once, that I should enjoy the one life that I have, be fair and kind to others as it’s the right thing and that I would commit to respecting and promoting freedom, democracy and human rights and working with others for the common good.

What being a Celebrant means to me is the opportunity to support families and friends by producing a ceremony that makes the funeral relevant to the deceased and honours their life honestly, truthfully and positively.

How can I find out more?  

You can read information on these web pages or contact me (or any other celebrant) to talk about your needs. Write, phone or email.

I would I’d be happy to talk to anyone who is considering arranging a funeral without religion and to offer a discussion, some answers to questions and further information about who can help.

What can I do for you?

A personalised funeral ceremony or memorial event that is tailored to meet the needs of the friends and family and often reflects the wishes and plans of the person whose life is being celebrated and mourned.

Ceremonies can be at local Crematorium or Cemetery Chapels, Green Burial Sites, in some Funeral Director’s Chapels of Rest or in other suitable locations.

Religion in Funerals 

Humanists UK’s stance on including religion in ceremonies is that a Humanist Funeral is not an Act of Worship and that that Humanist Celebrants would not undertake this. Some Humanist Celebrants are comfortable in including religion within these guidelines and some choose not to include religion in any circumstances. My personal approach is that where a prayer may give comfort to the bereaved that I cannot say that prayer I feel that would be hypocritical) but I am happy for a family member or friend to do so. Similarly for hymns I have included Hymns in Funerals where they are for cultural or family history reasons. Examples of this are that I have included are “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and “Bread of Heaven” for Rugby fans and I have  played a recording of the Lords Prayer for the Mother of a committed Humanist where she gained comfort from that. My Committal words are always non-religious but I try to use language that is as inclusive as possible.

What Next?

If you are interested in a Humanist Funeral or Memorial to commemorate someone please contact me by phone, text or email . I will freely share what I can offer and give you information or point you in the direction of other resources .