Funeral ceremonies
If you are reading this then perhaps you are looking for someone to lead a funeral ceremony, or memorial, for someone close to you. Every experience of grief is personal, unique, complex and, to some extent, unpredictable. I know from my own experience that these can be difficult, emotional, and exhausting times, and that the funeral is not the point after which life instantly clicks back to normal.
Funerals are significant occasions that mark the end of a life, gathering family and friends together to pay tribute, share memories, and celebrate. For someone we care about it feels important to get this right. Working with experienced funeral directors and celebrants during these difficult times can be a great help.
Your funeral or memorial ceremony can be how you want, though they often follow a familiar structure. There will usually be time to include meaningful music, both recorded and live, a playlist of favourite poems and prose, slideshows and videos, and indeed other rituals. Guests may like to read tributes, also. Every life is a one-off, so celebrate it with the uniqueness it deserves.
As the celebrant I will work with you to paint a detailed picture of the deceased’s life (and sometimes even with that person before their death), explore with you the kind of tribute you would like, then design a fitting tribute and celebration. We will agree the right tone and style, and ensure it fits within the chosen funeral arrangements, whether at a crematorium, a natural burial ground, scattering ashes in a significant location, or at a memorial event in a pub, club, beach, woodland etc.
Humanist ceremonies are unique, personal, non-religious celebrations that are suitable for all. They are often chosen when faith was not an important part of the life of the deceased. In case you are wondering, ‘non-religious’ does not mean anti-religious: indeed, humanist ceremonies usually include a period for quiet reflection and private prayer, and many poems and songs chosen to feature in the ceremony may use religious vocabulary.
However old or young, whatever the circumstances of their death, every life has a story and, however long they were with us, their life will have affected those who knew them directly, and even indirectly, in some way.
Everyone is different; each person carries their uniqueness throughout their life, their key events likely spread across spectrums of good to bad, and funny to sad: there is brilliance, shade, colour and nuance in us all. These are the parts of what make us exactly who we are, and why our loved ones are so special, and you know from your feelings about someone that this is true. This side of cloning, there will never be another one quite like any of us.
It’s a tough time emotionally, with a lot to organise, and likely a situation you probably haven’t had to deal with before. I will make remembering your loved one as painless as possible, and deliver the best tribute to remember them by. What’s the process?
We will ideally meet you face-to-face as far in advance as possible but, when this is not possible, or when other key contributors are unavailable, we will find other solutions. I will draught the ceremony for your review and finalisation, including music, readings, and other celebratory rituals, deliver the ceremony at the chosen location and time, and provide you a copy of the ceremony for you to keep.
Cremation is the most common funeral practice in the UK. Though direct (unattended) cremation services are available, Northumberland must have one of the most beautiful crematoria in the UK, at Bockenfield Wood, near Felton: Northumberland Woodland Burial Ground and Crematorium with a natural woodland and memorial burial ground. It is an attractive place to visit.
I trained with, and am both accredited and insured by Humanists UK. Humanist UK celebrants are also networked by region, which helps ensure coverage for unplanned events (in case ‘stuff’ happens).
