Non- Religious Ceremonies

31st July 2006, 9:55

Why choose a Humanist Funeral? 

A funeral ceremony is an important time when family and friends will together be focussing their thoughts on the person who has died. It should help them to express and share their sadness but also to celebrate the life that was lived. People committed to a religious faith will normally want a religious minister or leader to conduct their funeral ceremony, but for those whom religion is less important, or who have made a clear decision to live without it, a humanist ceremony, which uniquely and affectionately honours the life of the deceased, is likely to have more warmth and meaning. 

Humanist Funeral Officiants

Humanists care deeply about moral issues, but from a non-religious standpoint. We believe in the innate goodness of human beings and we hold that humanity must find solutions to problems from within itself, not rely on the supernatural.

The British Humanist Association has a national network of men and women who are trained and accredited to conduct humanist funeral ceremonies. Our funeral officiants come from a wide variety of backgrounds- what they share is an ability to empathise with the experience of bereavement. They are good interviewers and attentive listeners; sensitive to the family’s wishes yet ready to give guidance as needed and able to prepare and take charge of a solemn public occasion.

Whatever the circumstances of the life and death, officiants are not there to moralise or judge – but to understand, Together with you they can plan a personal and dignified ceremony and conduct it for you on the day.

What might others think? 

Above all, the kind of ceremony you choose must be right and appropriate for the person who has died and for the close family. You need not be concerned that anything in the ceremony might offend anyone who perhaps feels uneasy about a non-religious funeral. Humanist ceremonies focus on the life that has ended but are not in any way hostile to religious beliefs. Most officiants will also include in the ceremony a short period for quiet reflection, and that gives anyone who wants it an opportunity for silent prayer. People often say afterwards how moving, sincere and fitting they found the ceremony. For the immediate family and close friends it will be a great comfort to have provided a ceremony such as the person who has died would have wanted.

How to find out more

  www.humanism.org.uk  

Celebration of Life Ceremonies

What we can offer you

 An experienced celebrant who will meet and spend adequate time with you. They will listen and assist you to craft a unique service that relects the true personality and achievements of the one you have just lost. Providing genuine personal care and advice, alongside a choice of style and format of ceremony.

 A choice of Ceremony:

> A Humanist Style Ceremony – no religion

> A Blended Ceremony – a taste of religion as required

> Non restrictive locations: local pub, community centre, or local crematorium.

Rev. Phil Talbot (Founder and Director of Celebration of Life Ceremonies

The Vision for creating a different style of funeral ceremony arose from Lynn a young mother of two boys, whose husband Tony had been tragically killed whilst on his way to work on his motorbike. She told me that she wanted a memorial service more creative and uplifting than what she had come to expect from such occasions. Something different, that would reflect her husband’s personality, achievements, and yet be deeply moving – an event that would live on in the lives and memories of family and friends of those who would attend. And what a funeral it was! The Crematorium was packed with family, neighbours, friends and colleagues! The atmosphere was charged with emotion from both ends of the spectrum: laughter and tears, as each relived their personal memory as they listened to the specially prepared tributes about Tony.

A few days later I received a note from Lynn she said:

‘The send off was perfect – it was just Tony to a tee – many of my friends have told me that that’s the kind funeral I want when I die!’ And so Celebration of Life Ceremonies was born. 

That was three years ago. Since then I have conducting this special kind of funeral ceremony for people just like Lynn, from right across the North West of England.

Today, I have a support team of six professional celebrants, all with that special kind of understanding and ability, that people like Lynn are asking for.

  www.allseasons.uk.com