It is an honour to write and lead a funeral ceremony.

If a person is free from religion and superstition in his/her life then it follows that s/he will want a farewell ceremony, a funeral that is equally free.

When death comes, we hope to be mourned but then we want the living to warmly remember and celebrate the life that has ended.

As a humanist celebrant, I write a script, especially for the individual.  I find out about and research the person whose life has just ended; by talking to family members and best friends.  There will be facts and there are certain to be stories, anecdotes that set this individual apart.  With tears and smiles, the life story is written.

There is at least one meeting with the family of the deceased to plan the funeral.  There will be other conversations, over the phone, by email, or perhaps in further meetings.  Several drafts will be written and corrected and amended until the final ceremony is ready.  I will work with the funeral director and crematorium or cemetery staff, to build a detailed plan for the funeral.

On the day, I will lead the service.  Often the service  will involve mourners, friends or family members, who will speak about the deceased.  It will include some favourite music – perhaps a song that was significant to the deceased – that is meaningful to the living.

Afterwards, I hope to hear, “You gave him a good send-off” or “It was as if you knew her.”

The script that I used for the service, will now be turned into a Presentation Script, providing a memory, a tribute.

Ceremonies are important events, marking dramatic changes in our lives.  At the end of a funeral service I hope that each mourner will feel their natural, timely sadness give way to a renewed sense of purpose.  We have just this one life, let’s enjoy it, cherish those around us and let’s live the good life.