Simon Binns

Once you have asked me to conduct a ceremony on your behalf I will arrange a convenient time and place to meet to discuss your wishes. It is preferable to meet at the home of the deceased, if convenient, so that  I can begin to create a picture of them, but I do understand if that is not possible.

At that meeting we will talk about the ceremony, any music and readings you may wish to include and if any family members or friends may wish to contribute in any way. Each of my ceremonies is written specifically for the deceased and focusses on their life, celebrating them with love and respect. Hopefully the ceremony will be part of your process of remembering, parting and memorialisation.

Today more and more people are including music and readings that are relevant and meaningful to them and their loved ones. Almost anything is allowable, often humour is included to reflect the deceased; tears and laughter are allowable at a funeral. We can include any personal rituals that have meaning to you, lighting candles, writing notes, touching the coffin, releasing doves; anything that will make the ceremony yours and that you are comfortable with.

Above all, however, the focus of the ceremony is on the deceased and on parting with love, honour and respect. Nowadays almost anything can be included in a funeral ceremony, and I will support your family and loved ones to be involved as much or as little as you wish.  We all have a deep need to mark the significant points on our lifelines with shared experiences. I believe that we can still mark these points with our own, personal ceremonies, created to give respect and meaning. I can conduct a ceremony with a strong humanist philosophy or one that is more generally non-religious.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the words and actions we decide on and that the ceremony becomes yours and reflects what you want for your loved one.

 

 

 

 

‘Farewell, My Friends’ – Rabindranath Tagore

It was beautiful while it lasted, the journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever, save the pain I’ll leave behind.

Those dear hearts who love and care.
The strings pulling at heart and soul.
The strong arms that held me up
When my own strength let me down.

At every turning of my life I came across good friends
Friends who stood by me even when time raced me by …
Farewell, farewell my friends. I smile and bid you good bye.

No, shed no tears, for I need them not. All I need is your smile.

If you feel sad, do think of me. For that’s what I’ll like.
When you live in the hearts of those you love, remember then.

You never die …