Why choose a humanist funeral or memorial ceremony?

Humanists believe that we just have this one life on Earth and so, when someone dies, the non-religious ceremony focuses on the deceased person’s life story, detailing what was meaningful to them and to those who knew them. Whilst we must acknowledge the pain of losing someone, we also have a responsibility to celebrate their legacy as final goodbyes are said.

 

 What can be included?

As far as practicalities allow, there is a lot of scope! Here are some examples:

Any secular music and readings with a special significance to the attendees.
Symbolic actions such as laying flowers or lighting candles.
Anything else that seems right for honouring the deceased in your own special way- a round of applause, a toast?

 

Past examples of memorials I have led include: a lively champagne celebration of life in a cricket club, an ashes-scattering on a beautiful hillside and a quiet graveside gathering for a mother who was too ill to attend the funeral of her stillborn baby sixteen years earlier. The possibilities are endless.

 

What if some of the family are religious?

In an inclusive humanist ceremony, a celebrant cannot "lead an act of religious worship" as such, but there can be traditional religious readings or a reflection allowing silent prayer for those who would find that comforting.

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You want a humanist ceremony. What happens next?

If you are reading this, you will already know that you can choose the celebrant who seems most suited to your needs. I'm not affiliated with any particular funeral director*; my families tend to be ones who specifically choose me as a good fit for them and for the way they wish to celebrate the life of their special person. 

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It's just a matter of informing your Funeral Director that, having spoken with me, and after careful consideration, you have already selected me as the celebrant for your ceremony. 

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*I have worked with a range of companies across the North West including:

Charles Robb Funeralcare,  Frank Dooley and Sons, C Loftus and Sons, Natural Endings, Ashton Brookes, Arthur Gresty, George Lightfoot, Arthur Kershaw, Adlington Memorial Park and Forget Me Not Fields.

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And if you choose me?

We will arrange a meeting, (usually in the comfort of your own home), chatting about your person’s life, their enthusiasms and personality, before putting together an outline for the ceremony’s structure. We will also gather initial ideas about appropriate music and readings and how other people might like to contribute-either by supplying words to be said or reading on the day. I will then write a first draft of your unique funeral script and share it with you to make sure everything you need to say is there. 

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On the day…

 I will be there to deliver the ceremony in accordance with your wishes. You will have the reassurance of my affiliation to Humanists UK who set the benchmark for training and on-going quality control.

 

I’m sorry you’re going through this very difficult time.

Please get in touch if you think I might be the one to help.