About Ruth Brown-Shepherd
ruth.brown-shepherd@humanistceremonies.org.uk
Welcome
Hello, my name is Ruth Brown-Shepherd. I provide personalised non-religious funeral ceremony services and memorials in Huddersfield, Kirklees, Halifax and Calderdale in West Yorkshire. When planning a funeral, you often have many options to consider in a short space of time. The below information will help you decide whether I am the right celebrant for you.
Other regions covered
Do you require a Humanist Funeral Celebrant to conduct a non-religious funeral ceremony in another part of Yorkshire and the Humber? If so, I would be more than happy to put you in contact with one of my colleagues in the network.
Your Humanist funeral ceremony
A Humanist funeral ceremony is a non-religious personalised service, which helps you to celebrate the life of a loved one who has died.
For a standard ceremony, you will receive the following service:
- A meeting (in person or online) at a convenient time for you
- Preparation of the ceremony script
- Management of contributions from others, as requested by you
- An opportunity for you to review the funeral ‘Tribute’ and provide feedback for accuracy
- A bespoke Humanist funeral ceremony lasting up to 30 minutes (depending on venue requirements)
- The final ceremony ‘Presentation Script’ for you to keep
It is your ceremony, so you will decide what is included. I will be there to guide you throughout. If you have a lot of people wanting to contribute on the day, we can discuss the alternative service options available to you.
How much will it cost?
The total cost for a standard service, including a funeral ceremony of up to 30 minutes is £210. Pricing for bespoke service packages are available upon request. All pricing is aligned with Humanists UK’s recommended fee structure.
Why choose R
uth?
My first introduction to Humanism was in 2010, as one of my friends at university was a Humanist Wedding Celebrant. I subsequently learnt that a Humanist was someone whose knowledge and understanding of the world, is based on rational or evidence-based facts. They live an ethical life by being authentic, compassionate and respectful of others. In addition, they strive to build a fair and equal society for all. As a PhD qualified scientist, it did not take me long to realise that the Humanist values were very aligned with my own approach to life.
So… why did I become a Humanist Funeral Celebrant? Prior to joining the Humanist Celebrant Network, I had attended a total of 20 funerals in my life and had personally organised two of them for close family members. Being comfortable with death and funeral environments, presented me with a humble opportunity to help others at a time when they need it most. Having previously experienced the loss of someone close to me, I understand the importance of capturing the memories you once shared with them.
Recent News
- April 2021 – Rachael Meyer and Ruth Brown-Shepherd appeared on BBC Look North (Yorkshire) to share their experience of what it means to be a Celebrant (2m 36s).
- May 2021 – A funeral, but not as you know it! (HD8 Network Newsletter).
- September 2021 – A live interview with Ruth Brown-Shepherd on Chat and Spin (a not-for-profit online radio station).
- December 2021 – Why I’m a Funeral Celebrant (HD8 Network Newsletter).
- June 2022 – 2022 Pricing Update (published 19 June 2022).
