Celebration of Life - Humanist Funerals and Memorials

A Humanist funeral is often more appropriate for those who neither lived according to religious principles, nor accepted religious views of life or death.  Perfect Serenity recognises the right of families to choose a Humanist celebration of life for their loved ones and can arrange for a Humanist celebrant to conduct the burial or cremation ceremony.

Although a Humanist funeral is not religious, the beliefs of everyone present are respected and acknowledged. A Humanist funeral or memorial ceremony recognises no 'after-life', but instead affectionately celebrates the life of the person who has died. Proper tribute is paid to them, to the life they lived, to the family and friendships they leave behind. Each of us has the potential to enrich the lives of those around us, and Humanist ceremonies focus on the way that the individual concerned shared their time with others.

What Does a Humanist Funeral Ceremony Comprise?

Humanist celebrants plan each ceremony individually with the bereaved family, but typically, you may like to choose:

• Favourite or appropriate music
• Welcome and explanation of the ceremony
• Reading of a poem or passage from favourite book
• A tribute or eulogy to the deceased
• Quiet time to reflect on the celebrated life
• Committal and words of farewell
• Close and announcements

Celebration of Life - Background

Humanist organisations exist world wide to serve the needs of the non-religious, evolving as those needs change.  The British Humanist Association (BHA) developed from the Ethical Union in 1967.  Humanists are non-religious people who live by moral principles based on reason and respect for others, not obedience to dogmatic rules.  They promote happiness and fulfilment in this life because they believe it is the only one we have. 

Humanist non-religious funeral ceremonies acknowledge loss and celebrate a life without employing religious rituals. They offer a dignified alternative to the traditional funeral service and are made memorable by being personally tailored to each individual situation, with the wishes of the family taken fully into account.

Civil Funerals

A Civil Funeral is defined as:  'A funeral, which is driven by the wishes, beliefs and values of the deceased and their family, not by the beliefs or ideology of the person conducting the funeral.'

Differing slightly from Humanist funerals, civil funeral celebrants are paid professionals governed by a strict code of conduct and quality, who are ready to include both religious and secular elements in the ceremony according to the wishes and beliefs of the family concerned. The celebrant will write a full script for the ceremony in conjunction with the family and make sure that arrangements are made for participation of family members or friends who have been called on to play music or make readings.

Whichever you choose, Humanist or Civil funeral, you can be sure that the texts, tributes and format are all constructed entirely for the family's wishes rather than from a dogmatic standard script. Copies of the ceremony script are made available for family or friends who can't attend, or to keep as a memento. As a first step, call us on 07050 138007 to discuss your wishes.