• HOME
• ABOUT US
• SERVICES
• INFORMATION
• TESTIMONIALS
• CONTACT US
• terms

Funerals without religion

If the person who has passed away was not of a religious orientation and it is not felt appropriate to have a religious ceremony, there are several different organisations that can help officiate the service. Outlined below are two of the more familiar organisations.

Civil Funerals

A civil funeral can be held almost anywhere, with the exception of religious buildings and churches. The ceremony is appropriate for either a cremation or burial at any non-religious burial ground, such as a Local Authority Cemetery or woodland burial site.

The person who conducts the ceremony is a trained professional Civil Funeral Celebrant. Many celebrants are members of the Registration Service.

The Civil Funeral Ceremony provides a comprehensive framework that allows you the freedom to make a range of choices about the ceremony. Favourite music can be included and there is a wide selection of readings to choose from. Religious elements such as hymns and prayers can also be included, as can contributions from family members and friends. The celebrant will advise you of all the options available and help you to decide how they should be arranged and presented.

For further information, please visit the Institute of Civil Funerals website.

Humanist Funerals

As with Civil funerals, a humanist funeral can be held anywhere except a religious building or church. The British Humanist Association (BHA) offers a personal and dignified funeral ceremony for those who have chosen to live without religion.

Humanist officiants are men and women familiar with the procedures of cremation and burial who can empathise with the experience of bereavement. They are sensitive to the family’s wishes yet ready to give clear guidance when needed. They are able to prepare and take charge of a solemn occasion.

They will help to plan a personal and dignified funeral ceremony, and conduct it on the day. Again, favourite music can be included.

The kind of funeral ceremony chosen must be right and appropriate for the person who has died and their close family. Nothing in a humanist ceremony would offend people who may be uneasy about a non-religious funeral. The idea is not to be hostile to religious beliefs, but to focus in a sincere way on the reality of the life that has ended.

Unlike the civil celebrants, Humanist officiants will not include any religious elements such as hymns or prayers and any music chosen must not have a religious connotation.

BHA Officiants are subject to a code of conduct covering family visits and appropriate dress.

Both Civil and Humanist Celebrants will speak to you and, ideally, meet you and others affected by the death. It is helpful for the officiants to learn as much as possible about the person who has died, so that the funeral tribute really captures their life and personality. If required, both will give you a transcript of the service.

For further information, please visit the BHA website.