HOW SOON DO WE NEED TO HOLD A FUNERAL?

There is no legal requirement to hold a funeral within a certain period of time following a death.

Once the death certificate is issued, you can decide exactly how to proceed. Some like to hold a funeral as soon as possible and this may be only for close family or open to a wide range of friends and colleagues.   Some choose the former and then plan a later more public memorial.

Some now opt for a direct non-attended cremation with a subsequent memorial or ash-scattering ceremony for friends and family.  Ultimately the choice is that of you and your family and is often determined by personal or geographical circumstance and how we might best deal with the emotional impact of our loss.

As an example, my own mother passed away in Brazil while living with my brother.  He and my nephew attended the cremation there, and we did not hold a memorial in the UK until 15 months later when her ashes were able to be repatriated  – and a joyful remembrance it was too!

WHAT DOES A FUNERAL CEREMONY INCLUDE?

A ceremony is usually built around three key elements:

1. A personalised tribute that reflects the life story and values of the deceased;
2. A time for individual reflection;
3. A final committal of the body either to cremation or burial.

It might also include:

• Personal contributions from family or friends in their own words
• Readings – existing poetry or prose
• Music  – recorded or live
• Symbolic acts – eg placement of items on the cortege in cremations or scattering of earth at burials

WHY CHOOSE A HUMANIST CEREMONY?

Almost all who choose to have a humanist ceremony do so because they do not wish to have a religious ceremony and see this as a more meaningful and personal alternative.

Whilst humanism takes a non-religious point of view on life, it is by no means anti-religious and I aim to make ceremonies as fully inclusive as appropriate. Whilst I do not conduct ceremonies that include acts of worship, it is possible to include music and readings with a spiritual context and content, as well as moments of private reflection according to your wishes and I am happy to discuss this in detail should you wish to do so.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

My fee for Funerals is currently set as a base price of £250.  Longer than standard burials or double crematorium slots between £300-£350 to be confirmed by negotiation.

This is for a ceremony lasting approximately 20-25 minutes and delivered at a venue within a 20-mile radius of my location.   [Ceremonies further afield may be subject to a negotiated additional travel or accommodation cost but this will be discussed at and then included in a final fixed quote following a first meeting.]

In almost all cases this fee is included in the total funeral cost paid to the Funeral Director who pays the celebrant accordingly.

WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE?

This includes:

• A first no-fee, no commitment meeting (usually online) to discuss your requirements.
• A subsequent final fixed quote on agreement to proceed.
• Securing of your chosen date and time exclusively in my calendar.
• An extended first meeting (live or online) to discuss content and shape of the ceremony.
• Experienced advice on suggestions for music and readings.
• Consultation process and design of ceremony.
• Drafting and re-drafting of script by e-mail as necessary.
• Live delivery of ceremony by highly experienced and skilled celebrant.
• A digital presentation copy of the text following the ceremony itself.
• Assurance of quality through accreditation status, including public liability and indemnity insurance plus a network of celebrants able to stand-in in the event of my sudden incapacity.

WHAT NEXT?

 Please contact me asap to arrange the first no-fee, no obligation meeting to discuss your requirements.   nickpcelebrant@gmail.com