Hi, I'm Doug
I live in Newark on Trent between Nottingham and Lincoln in the East Midlands and I absolutely love being a celebrant. I love it so much that I lead ceremonies in all the major life events – birth, marriage and death, as well as training and mentoring new celebrants on behalf of Humanists UK. I’m also a volunteer humanist chaplain at our wonderful local hospice.
Why choose me to help you with your funeral or memorial?
Every celebrant has their own style, and I’d recommend shopping around before you decide. I know this can be difficult because time is often limited, but I’m always happy to have a “no obligation” discussion and to answer your questions, even if it’s only a quick ‘phone call.
I’ve been a funeral celebrant since 2016, and I’ve worked with families from many cultures and backgrounds at all sorts of venues, including the family home, hotels, restaurants, community centres, natural burial grounds and crematoria.
I take pride in helping families achieve a sense of having done justice to the memory of their loved one and I’ve received masses of feedback, all positive, which I analyse, record and publish on my website. As a result, I reckon my strengths are:
• Professionalism – I’m often described as “professional”, and I inspire confidence.
• Vocal quality – I have acting training, and a strong and sonorous voice which people love listening to.
• Lightness of touch – I believe that although funerals and memorials are deeply serious events that doesn’t mean they have to be solemn and there is a place for lightness and humour too.
• Cultural sensitivity – I’ve lived and worked in Europe and Asia and my travels have made me open-minded and able to communicate well with people from different social backgrounds and cultures.
• Flexibility – I am pragmatic and non-judgemental, and I strongly believe that everyone has a right to feel welcome and included in a ceremony whatever their beliefs.
Do have a look at my website too where you’ll find lots of practical information, FAQs, videos of me in action and client reviews.
Here is a small selection from the reviews you can find on my website:
Thank you to Doug for taking the time to get to know us, and our mum. The ceremony was lovely, and your tone was exactly right. It was a sad day but we got to remember our mum in the way we wanted to.
— M's Nottinghamshire funeral
Just a quick note to say thanks for today. Everyone agreed that today absolutely reflected what and who E was. There was no mistaking. We think he would have approved.
— E's Nottinghamshire funeral
Doug spent a long time with me and my daughter discussing our wishes for the funeral. We found him to be very empathetic. The tribute to my husband couldn’t have been better and I know it would have been just what he wanted.
— R's Nottinghamshire funeral
Doug Duckworth
Where I work
Anywhere in the East Midlands and London
Fees from...
£230 (or less in cases of financial hardship)
Fluent in
Italian
How to contact me
douglas.duckworth@humanistceremonies.org.uk
Phone
Website
HUMANIST CEREMONIES™ is the network of more than 550 celebrants, trained by national charity Humanists UK to a gold standard to provide memorable and meaningful humanist ceremonies to non-religious people. Operating throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, we deliver authentic, tailor-made and heartfelt ceremonies for life’s key moments. They are always inclusive and welcoming, regardless of the beliefs of those attending.
You can trust Humanist Ceremonies celebrants: We are DBS-checked, fully insured, and regularly peer reviewed for quality assurance. We are committed to a code of conduct, and have a transparent and robust complaints process in the rare case of a problem. We all pay a monthly fee to Humanists UK to further support the work of the charity, and are part of a regional network for like-minded celebrants for support and learning.
Humanist funerals
Humanist funerals, memorials and ash ceremonies are a fitting way to honour a unique life with warmth, sensitivity and meaning, but without reference to religion or an afterlife. They put the story of the person who has died at the heart of the ceremony, paying tribute to them and the legacy they leave, and provide an opportunity to bring people together, not just to share sadness but to celebrate a life lived.
