FUNERAL CEREMONIES

Only you know what would be a ‘good’ funeral for you and your family and what is the best and most appropriate way to celebrate the life of a loved one and to say a last goodbye to them.

If the person who has died had no spiritual belief or did not regularly attend a place of worship then you may feel uncomfortable with the idea of a full religious funeral ceremony. If this is how you feel there are other choices available. There is no legal requirement for a funeral to be conducted by a religious minister. A Civil Funeral Ceremony is for anyone, whatever beliefs (if any) they held.

There is no set format. Every ceremony is unique – as unique as the person who has died and as unique as the life they lived. It is a highly personal ceremony and because you oversee its creation a Civil Funeral ceremony is everything you want it to be.

I will work with you, to your instructions, either to create or help you create a ceremony that is right for you. I will be your chosen representative at the funeral helping and guiding you as well as conducting the ceremony.

How is the ceremony created?

The funeral ceremony is created by you with my guidance. I will come and see you so we can talk over how you want the ceremony to be. I will liaise with the Funeral Director to ensure they are aware of your wishes. I will help you select special music, readings, poetry and write a eulogy or tribute which reflects the life of the person who has died. I will put together and conduct a ceremony that makes the funeral service exactly how you want it.

However much you want to do yourself and however much you wish to leave to me to lead on the day you remain in total control. I will work together with you to make the occasion exactly how you want it.

I will give you a copy of the ceremony before the funeral so that you can check it over and make sure there is nothing else you would like me to include. I will also give you a presentation copy after the service has been conducted.

Can I plan a funeral before someone dies? Before I die?

Leaving a Funeral Plan is a thoughtful thing you can do for your dependents. It helps remove any uncertainly about how you would wish your life to be commemorated in at your funeral ceremony. I will be pleased to come and see you before you or someone else dies to discuss your wishes and to write a ceremony that could be used at your funeral. You can find some more details of how to go about planning for your own funeral here.

What qualifications do I have to act as Celebrant?

I hold a NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy, the highest level of funeral Celebrancy qualification in the U.K. I have been a Funeral Celebrant for twelve years and have conducted hundreds of funeral services.