Hi, I'm Heather

Image of Heather Raine

Hello there, I'm Heather

As a Humanist Ceremonies funeral celebrant I practice throughout Cumbria, west Northumberland and the border regions.   I am trained and accredited by Humanists UK and prepare and lead personal and uniquely meaningful non-religious funerals. Each humanist ceremony is unique, custom-made and is an authentic reflection of the individual's life and values.

What I offer

I work closely with families to craft a bespoke and personal ceremony that reflects the story and legacy of their loved one. Although it is a very sad time my aim is to provide a space where family and friends can come together to honour and remember the person and also celebrate their life with a meaningful and memorable tribute.

A Celebration of a Unique Life

Every life is unique, and so should be the funeral to say farewell. Humanist funerals incorporate personal stories, memories, and tributes into the ceremony, to make it a sincere and authentic goodbye. I can guide you on choices, if needed, and also suggest other elements to make the ceremony right for everyone involved.

Why I am a humanist celebrant

My introduction to humanist funerals began with the death of my father. I didn’t know what to expect but the celebrant gave clear guidance and support towards gathering the information needed to craft the ceremony. My father’s funeral was everything he would have wished for. It was a beautiful event. There was humour, achievements, family and friendships, the music he loved and mention of some of the more unusual choices he made in life. I have kept the written document detailing my father’s ceremony and it is now a family keepsake. I read it, I remember him, I share those memories and I smile.  

I want to encourage and help others to celebrate the lives of their deceased family members or friends. A meaningful farewell following a unique life.

Contact me

Please do contact me if you are looking for a professional celebrant to lead a non-religious funeral ceremony for your loved one. I’m here to support you during this challenging time and help you create the most fitting funeral for them. I’m happy to have an initial conversation to better explain and answer your questions.

"I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for your wonderful work today and the weeks leading up to. You really helped us hit the right tone for Dad's celebration and guided us expertly through the process at a time when things were difficult through December. Great job!Mum said it was a pleasure to attend and the most enjoyable funeral she has ever been to, so she also wanted to thank you for conducting it so beautifully."

— BR

"Thank you so much for all your work and help in organising my Dad's funeral.

We couldn't have done it without you!

I actually enjoyed it, if that's not too strange to say, and the sunshine was the icing on the cake."

— TR

"My thanks for everything you did so that yesterday went so well"

— G

"I would like to thank you very much for all the work that you put into making Mum's Ceremony just as we wanted it to be, your patience and guidance were very much appreciated."

— KH

Image of Heather Raine

Heather Raine

Where I work

I live in the beautiful city of Carlisle and my funeral work covers Cumbria, west Northumberland, the border regions and southern Scotland.

Fees from...

If you are using a Funeral Director for a cremation or burial, my fee is likely to be covered in their pricing. If you are planning a memorial service or celebration of life at a private venue my fees begin at £200. I may ask for reasonable travel expenses for journeys over 20 miles from Carlisle.

How to contact me
Email

Heather.Raine@humanistceremonies.org.uk

Phone

07340 908024

Website

humanist.org.uk/heatherraine

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.