About a Humanist funeral

While we mourn the death of the person we have loved, we gain comfort by celebrating that the person has lived.  We honour them – being true to who they were, what they believed in and how they lived their life.  We recognise the gifts that they have left with us.     This helps us to keep them alive in our hearts and minds.   You do not have to be a Humanist to have a Humanist funeral.  My funerals are for anyone who does not want to have a religious service.

What you can expect of me as your celebrant

Before the funeral

I will meet with you as soon as we can manage and with anyone else you want involved in planning the funeral.    This meeting can be in your home or anywhere else that is convenient to you.  We will talk about the person who has died, what was special and unique about them, and how we can best honour them.     We will see if there any special   music or readings you want included, or whether you want me to offer suggestions.  We discuss whether you want anyone else to take part in the ceremony, for instance giving a tribute or reading a poem.    We can also talk about anything else you want that will make the ceremony just right for the person who has died.    There are no restrictions   – other than possibly practical ones.  

Funerals may not always feel straightforward to those charged with arranging them.   Sometimes people die in difficult circumstances, other times people are worried about how they will manage with strained relationships.  Like so many people I have an intricate family life of my own.  So I understand something of the family sensitivities that can be involved when arranging the funeral for a loved one.  And I will work with you to consider how any differences or difficulties can be sensitively managed.

Together we will create a funeral that is meaningful, honest, respectful, comforting and unique – and hopefully uplifting too. 

On the day of the funeral

I will meet with you before we start. If you have a funeral director they will see to the practicalities and I will be responsible for conducting the ceremony and ensuring that the funeral is  exactly as you wish.    

 Afterwards

I will give you  a  presentation copy of the script so that  you  can recall everything that people have said  and, if you  wish,  I will  send  you an electronic copy that you  can share  with others who have not been able to come.