About Ian Harris

Ian Harris
Welcome
Hello I’m Ian – a funeral celebrant based in Montpelier, Bristol.
You’re probably here because someone close to you – family member, friend, loved-one has died. My role as a celebrant is to help you to create a personal, memorable and inclusive funeral. I conduct non-religious funeral ceremonies for cremations, burials, and memorial celebrations of all kinds. I’m also very happy to meet to discuss living or pre-planned funerals.
I believe it’s a privilege to be asked to conduct someone’s funeral and I want to make every ceremony a unique and meaningful occasion.
Do get in touch
First, just ring or email me, and we can have a conversation about what kind of occasion you had in mind, to see if I’m available, and to work out whether I’m the right person to conduct the ceremony. You’ve probably already decided on a Funeral Director, but if not, I’m very happy to make recommendations.
What would happen next
If you do decide to work with me, then I like whenever possible to meet in person. This can either be at your home, or in a café/public space, with just you or with any other close family members or friends who would like to be involved. It gives us the opportunity to talk at length about the person who is being remembered, and to work out what you would like to happen at the ceremony. I can take you through the structure of a typical ceremony, and we can discuss who is going to speak, readings, poetry, music, photo displays, orders of ceremony; whatever you would like to include. You can make the ceremony as personal and unique as you want.
I can then draw up a structure, and draft some words for the ceremony, to discuss further with you. There is usually then an exchange back and forth via email to get the ceremony absolutely right.
You may prefer to do most of the writing and speak yourselves, with me acting largely as a Master of Ceremonies. Or you may prefer for me to write the whole ceremony based on what you have told me, and for me to do most of the talking – the choice is entirely yours.
I’ll also liaise directly with the Funeral Director and the Crematorium or venue, to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible on the day. I will also provide you with a printed copy of the ceremony to keep.
Fees
To give you an idea of cost, fees begin at £250 for a simple half hour cremation ceremony and from £350 for longer cremation ceremonies, burials and stand-alone celebration ceremonies, taking into account time and travel.
A little more about me
I undertook the excellent training offered by Humanists UK back in 2021 and am now an established and accredited Humanists UK funeral celebrant – part of the Humanist Ceremonies network.
I was inspired to train as a celebrant after devising funerals for family members alongside an experienced Humanist UK celebrant. Together with family and friends, we created wonderful ceremonies in turn, for my father, my sister and my mother, that celebrated their lives, and felt ‘right’ for them. It was reassuring to have someone supportive to help plan and then lead the ceremony at a time of intense grief. I have lasting, positive memories of their funerals.
As well as being a funeral celebrant, I’m also an actor, writer and theatre maker. I enjoy hearing the stories of people’s lives, and helping to craft a funeral ceremony that is right for the person who has died. I believe it’s important to mark the key moments in life, and our final ‘rite of passage’ should involve a memorable ceremony that honours our personality and life story. Together we can create a meaningful, heartfelt occasion.
Feedback
Here is some feedback from previous funeral ceremonies I’ve conducted:
“Ian was very kind and caring throughout the whole process. The ceremony was smooth, and the written piece celebrated my mother beautifully. We couldn’t have asked for anyone lovelier.”
“I just wanted to say thank you so much again, the service was wonderful and beautifully paced. Everyone I spoke to after told me how lovely it was to hear about mum’s life, and how much they had enjoyed your writing.” Sue, Bath
“Thank you so much for leading the ceremony at my dad’s funeral. It was perfect and we all really appreciated the work you put in.” Kate, Bristol
“I want to thank you again for all your contributions which made an enormous difference to the day – so many people said afterwards what a lovely celebration it was and how they had never experienced one like it and how much nicer it was than a church funeral!” Winkie, Bruton