I’ll work with you to design a personal, meaningful ceremony which truly reflects the person who has died. There is no fixed order of ceremony for a non-religious funeral, we start with a blank page so it can be as formal or as informal as you wish: uplifting, reflective, emotional, supportive, funny or all these things.

You can get in touch by phone and I can answer your questions, discuss practical issues and make arrangements to meet. At the moment meetings usually take place by phone or video link rather than in person. They can be 1 to 1 conversations or involve close friends and family members. We’ll talk about the person who has died – the life they’ve lived and the things and people they loved. We’ll talk about the kind of ceremony you want to have: what music might be right and whether there are people who’d like to speak or read something. People often include some time for quiet reflection in the ceremony, and this can provide a space for anyone of faith to pray if they wish.

I’m a good listener. I’ll ask questions and take a lot of notes and I’ll then write a draft ceremony and send it to you so that you can add things and make changes. After the ceremony I will give you a presentation copy of the script.

For those who cannot attend

Not being able to attend funerals is one of the saddest and most difficult aspects of the current crisis.

• Video links and webcasts – Most crematoria have facilities for live streaming ceremonies. A recording can also be made available and copies of the presentation script provided.

• Online Ceremonies – A simple funeral can be followed by an online gathering on Skype or Zoom. In this gathering we can incorporate tributes and thoughts from people who could not attend the funeral.

Memorial ceremonies and non-traditional funerals

In the context of Covid-19 limits on the number of people who are able to attend funerals many people are planning to hold a memorial or remembrance ceremony at a later date. We can discuss and plan some aspects of memorials in advance.

Memorial services and non-traditional funerals or ‘scattering of ashes’ ceremonies can follow a direct or simple cremation.  They are a form of ceremony where the bereaved can completely control the type, nature, venue, time and date of the ceremony, freed from the constraints  and conventions of the more traditional funerals arranged by Funeral Directors and held at the local crematorium.  They can be considerably cheaper too.

Professional standards

I am accredited by Humanists UK and am required to keep professionally updated and be peer reviewed to remain accredited. My work is covered by full public liability and professional indemnity insurance. I have an advanced DBS check and have adopted the Celebrant Accord. I comply with the Data Protection Act.

As a member of the Humanist UK celebrant network, I can call on colleagues to stand in for me if required due to ill health or other circumstances.

Costs

I charge £250 for funerals and memorial services (if you are using the services of a Funeral Director this will be paid through the disbursements).