Planning a ceremony comes at what for many is a sad and difficult time, and everyone experiences and expresses grief differently.  My aim is to be sensitive to your needs and to make the process of creating the ceremony – to the ceremony itself – as stress-free as possible for you.

What is a humanist funeral?

A funeral or memorial ceremony is an important part of the grieving process.  It gives the opportunity for friends and family to come together and pay tribute to their loved one, by remembering and celebrating their life, as well as marking their death.  It is also a safe, structured environment that can provide comfort and support.  For those of us who are non-religious, a humanist funeral creates a meaningful, unique and personalised ceremony, tailored to our needs.

Below is an example of the aspects that a humanist funeral ceremony may include.  However, there is no set format, so it can be structured in whatever way works best for you.

• Introductory music
• Words of welcome
• Thoughts on life and death
• Tributes/memories/reflections on the life of your loved one
• Readings: poetry and/or prose
• Moment of reflection: a few minutes to listen to music or sit in silence
• Final farewell
• Closing words
• Closing music.

How we can work together:

Initial enquiry

Please contact me either on 07958 675110 or sophie.pandit@humanistceremonies.org.uk.

Family visit

Once you are happy that a humanist ceremony is what you are looking for, we will arrange a mutually convenient time to visit you at home, with anyone else who you might wish to be present.

Our meeting will usually last between 1-2 hours when we can discuss your wishes for the ceremony and gives you the opportunity to talk about your loved one, their life story, interests and personality, so that I can write a personalised and fitting tribute for them.

We will also discuss any music and/or poetry and readings that you might like to include in the ceremony, and if there is anyone else who might like to speak or contribute.

Before we meet, please see below some things you might find helpful to think about in relation to the person who has died:

• Place of birth
• Family members
• Closest friends
• School days
• Working life
• Interests and achievements
• Favourite memories
• Sayings and anecdotes

After the meeting, I will then create a draft script of everything I’m proposing to say during the ceremony and forward it to you to review and make any changes as necessary.  Also, if you are having an order of service, I will forward the relevant information to the funeral director/printer who will produce a proof for you to review before it goes to print.

Ceremony

I will contact you the day before the ceremony to confirm the logistics.  On the day of the ceremony I will arrive at the venue early to check that everything is in order before the start of the ceremony.  I will then lead the ceremony, supporting any contributors, if necessary.

After the ceremony

I will send you, via email and/or in the post, a final copy of the script.

Fee/expenses

Please see below and please note that if you are using a funeral director my fee is usually added to their invoice, otherwise I will email you an invoice after the ceremony.

• For a ceremony of up to 30 minutes: £300 inclusive;
• For up to any additional 1/2 hour: £50 inclusive;
• For travel outside Bath, mileage is charged at 45p per mile.