Funerals
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A Humanist or non-religious funeral offers a dignified and uniquely affectionate way to celebrate and pay tribute to someone's life, especially if they have chosen to live their life without religion. The death of someone we are close to can be a very painful and sad time. You may feel that in time these feelings will heal, but the feelings of grief and loss are very real.
For many people a religious ceremony may not feel right, even insincere and bring little comfort. As we will meet before the service I will be able to listen and be sensitive to your wishes and help you talk about the person who has died. The service will then reflect with warmth and meaning the essence of his or her personality. Non-religious funerals have the same status in law as religious ones. |
How to Arrange a Humanist Funeral
In most cases this will happen when you visit the Funeral Director, the people who make all the practical arrangements for the funeral. If you request a non-religious or Humanist service they will contact me directly to discuss the arrangements and to check if I'm available.
Once this has happened I will then contact you directly so that we can arrange a mutually convenient time to meet up. This will normally be in your own home, or where ever you, your family or friends feel most comfortable and appropriate.
You may also want to contact me directly if you know that the person is dying to talk about a Humanist service. Also more and more people are deciding to plan there own funerals. For some people this may feel very frightening, but for others it is a great comfort to know that they'll have their wishes met, and that they have taken the responsibility from others to plan the service.
I am also happy to officiate at Memorial Services or Acts of Remembrance if requested, in addition to cremations, burials, or the scattering of ashes.
In most cases this will happen when you visit the Funeral Director, the people who make all the practical arrangements for the funeral. If you request a non-religious or Humanist service they will contact me directly to discuss the arrangements and to check if I'm available.
Once this has happened I will then contact you directly so that we can arrange a mutually convenient time to meet up. This will normally be in your own home, or where ever you, your family or friends feel most comfortable and appropriate.
You may also want to contact me directly if you know that the person is dying to talk about a Humanist service. Also more and more people are deciding to plan there own funerals. For some people this may feel very frightening, but for others it is a great comfort to know that they'll have their wishes met, and that they have taken the responsibility from others to plan the service.
I am also happy to officiate at Memorial Services or Acts of Remembrance if requested, in addition to cremations, burials, or the scattering of ashes.
'Thank you for helping us say goodbye to Lyn yesterday!
Everyone agreed the service was a very fitting way of celebrating her life and your ‘curriculum vitae’ was more than accurate. Having attended many funerals over my lifetime I can only say yesterday was the best yet (I’m not planning too many more!) – simple, compassionate and appropriate. Makes such a change not to have to endure meaningless ritual and yesterday was far more cathartic as a result.
Good luck with your forthcoming book, just don’t give up the ‘day job,’ however successful you are in publishing, you are too good at it !'
Everyone agreed the service was a very fitting way of celebrating her life and your ‘curriculum vitae’ was more than accurate. Having attended many funerals over my lifetime I can only say yesterday was the best yet (I’m not planning too many more!) – simple, compassionate and appropriate. Makes such a change not to have to endure meaningless ritual and yesterday was far more cathartic as a result.
Good luck with your forthcoming book, just don’t give up the ‘day job,’ however successful you are in publishing, you are too good at it !'
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Time to Talk
You may be feeling anxious or even fearful of meeting to talk about the person who has died. Many people however find it to be very comforting, helpful and even therapeutic. It can be a time for you and/or family and friends to share their memories of the person who has died, and the feelings of sadness, loss and the many other feelings which can accompany the death of someone close to us. The person who has died may have liked a particular song or poem, or you may have music or verses which are particularly poignant for you and how you remember the person. These can be included in the service. You, family or friends may wish to contribute to the service, and at the same time there is no pressure to be involved in that way. You may feel that there are certain aspects of the person life that are difficult to talk about, either when we meet or during the service. Whatever the circumstances of the person life or death I am not there to judge or moralise - but to understand. Once we have met I will prepare the Eulogy and during the time up to the service I'm happy to receive any further thoughts or ideas. The next time that we meet will be at the service. At the end of the service you will receive a copy of the ceremony. |
‘I would like to thank you for making the celebration of my fathers life a comfort to us all and a memory that we will cherish. It was a pleasure to meet you and I am sure you will go on to ease the passing of loved ones for many more families.’
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Concerns for Others
Some people who have requested a non-religious service have felt worried about what religious family members or friends may say. I can reassure you that there will be nothing in the service that will offend as the service is not about being hostile to religious beliefs, but about focusing in a sincere way on the life of the person who has died. In my experience people, including those with religious beliefs have expressed how personal, moving and sincere they found the Humanist service to be. This will also comfort you in that you have provided a memorable service for others as well as yourself, and a fitting tribute to the person. Cost
The Funeral Director will liaise with me directly to discuss my fee, and they will also handle my payment, which is similar to that of a minister, and comes under 'disbursements.' ‘Thank you, it was a true tribute to him and brought out his very many qualities. I found it a very moving and emotional day, and also very joyful.’
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'I would like to thank you for the service you gave. My friend said afterwards that it was not like a funeral, more a celebration of his life and this is exactly what I wanted it to be. Your service was so moving, many people asked if you had been a friend of my husband, that was how you came across. I'm sure he would have been proud of us for giving him the right send off, and I'm sure he would have been very happy with the way you put across his life.' 
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‘It was a beautifully apt and poignant funeral service. So many people said that it was the kind of service that they would want.’
Bill Dawson, Humanist Celebrant based in Liverpool
e.mail: [email protected] | mobile: 07814 910 286 | Telephone: 0151 228 6552 | Skype: billhumanist
Non-religious ceremonies: weddings/civil partnerships, baby namings, funerals and other ceremonies in Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, North Wales, North West of England and abroad.
Alternative ceremonies
Copyright: Bill Dawson 2022
e.mail: [email protected] | mobile: 07814 910 286 | Telephone: 0151 228 6552 | Skype: billhumanist
Non-religious ceremonies: weddings/civil partnerships, baby namings, funerals and other ceremonies in Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, North Wales, North West of England and abroad.
Alternative ceremonies
Copyright: Bill Dawson 2022
