It is an honour to be asked to help with a funeral or memorial ceremony. Whilst there is sadness present on these occasions I believe that we should not only mourn what we may have lost, but also rejoice in what we have been fortunate enough to have had.

You don’t need to be a Humanist to have a Humanist funeral – it’s simply a non-religious ceremony that celebrates the person’s life and their importance to those who mourn their loss.

My father died when I was 19 and it was the shock of the vicar presiding at his funeral who called him by the wrong name that made me think there HAS to be a better way of doing this. And that memory has always stayed with me. When my mother died eight years ago we had a Humanist funeral for her and it was such an appropriate celebration of a wonderful and rich life that it made me decide that that is what I wanted to do: provide a dignified and appropriate celebration of a person’s life.

A ceremony can be grand or simple, but every one is different because every human being is different, so the ceremony is designed to capture the uniqueness of that person.

When you contact me I arrange to visit you to talk about what you would like to include – such as favourite music, poetry or family sayings – the personal things that reflect the whole individual. Family members or friends may wish to speak, or you may want me to take care of it all. I am there to advise and help create a unique and memorable ceremony that allows people to say goodbye to their loved ones, in the way that you want to.

I have lived in Surbiton for over 30 years, the last 20 with my civil partner. I am a member of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association. A memorial or funeral service for a gay, lesbian or transgendered person may be a particularly sensitive time and I use my skills as professional coach, trainer and mentor in equality and diversity to ensure that the service is conducted with the full respect and dignity it deserves.

I offer funeral and memorial ceremonies, mainly in Surrey and SW London. Our local group of celebrants ensures that there is always a Humanist celebrant available to provide a friendly and professional service for you.

“The footprints we leave behind are measured by the love we’ve given, the lives of family and friends we’ve touched and been part of, and by the many rich and treasured memories they keep long after we’ve gone.” Jim Al-Khalili