On this page I highlight a few things that you may want to be aware of before arranging a ceremony. For more information on funerals generally, do have a look at the Humanists UK website.

You can select a celebrant yourself, or you can ask a funeral director to find one for you. In either case the celebrant and the funeral director will communicate with each other to make sure that everything goes smoothly on the day.

Funeral directors

No-on has to use a funeral director, but they offer a valuable service at a difficult time when there is a lot of paperwork (particularly for a cremation) and often unexpected practicalities surrounding a death. When you are choosing one, it is worth talking to a few before committing yourself. You can ask them questions about their services and pricing and make a judgement based on they way they answer. The Good Funeral Guide has more advice on this, as well as information about legal requirements, burial sites and much more.

Location of ceremony

A humanist cremation usually takes place in a crematorium chapel, whereas a burial could take place wholly at the graveside or it could start off at another venue − for example, a burial chapel  − and then proceed to the graveside for the committal. A memorial service, or burials or scattering of ashes, could be almost anywhere (see Boring but important for a note on permissions and risk assessment). Some people opt for a natural burial ground, of which there are several around London.

Numbers – Covid restrictions

These vary slightly from crematorium to crematorium, depending on the size of their chapel. Government regulations change frequently so always check with your  funeral director (I can also check for you). For events (e.g. memorials) in your home, check on the government website, and for events in hired premises, check with the venue operator.

Some crematoriums insist on curtains being closed at the end of the ceremony: others don’t. Some allow flowers to be placed on the coffin while elsewhere only staff may approach it. These may be details that matter to you, in which case speak to your funeral director. We can also explore possibilities together.

Timing at crematoriums

Timing for cremations is strictly enforced. The time available for a ceremony varies, but is typically between 20 and 30 minutes − occasionally 45 minutes. If you feel that the ceremony will require more time − for example, if many people are likely to be attending, or if it includes a lot of music or personal contributions − you may be able to book a double slot. Do discuss this with the funeral director or crematorium office as soon as you can.

Music and visual tributes

In most crematoriums and chapels there is an extensive online library of music from which to choose.  If you would like to include something very unusual, or a privately recorded piece, or live music, it is worth flagging this up as early as possible so that arrangements can be made for it to be played. Some, but not all, also have screens on which videos or visual tributes can be shown.

Webcast

Live streaming is available at almost all London crematoriums now, but the details differ, and the funeral director and I can help you to navigate through those.

Order of service leaflet

Some people choose to have a printed leaflet which sets out the order of the ceremony, and perhaps includes some poetry or prose or short personal tributes. I can help families with the wording within the leaflet.

It can become a memento of the occasion, and usually includes at least one photo (often many). Some people ask the funeral director to organise the design and printing, though more and more people do it themselves.