Hi, I'm Ian

Image of Ian Harris

Based in Montpelier, Bristol, I'm here to help you to create a memorable and personal funeral for a family member or friend who has just died.

A funeral or memorial ceremony should be a meaningful and memorable shared experience to mark the end of a person's life. It can play an important part in the grieving process: an opportunity for friends and family to come together to share stories and memories, and to honour the life and personality of a loved-one.

It's a real privilege to be asked to conduct somebody's funeral or memorial ceremony. My role is to work together with you to create the most fitting occasion we can. If you'd like to read more about my approach, then do please go to: https://humanist.org.uk/ianharris/ 

I was inspired to train as a celebrant after devising funerals for family members alongside an experienced Humanists UK celebrant. It was reassuring to have someone supportive to help plan and lead the ceremony, at a time of intense grief.

As well as being a funeral celebrant, I’m also an actor, writer and theatre maker. I enjoy hearing the stories of people’s lives, and helping to put a ceremony in place at such a challenging time. Do get in touch. Together we can create a unique, meaningful, and heartfelt occasion.

Ian was very kind and caring throughout the whole process. The ceremony was smooth and the written piece celebrated my mother beautifully. We couldn't have asked for anyone lovelier.

— Sue - Bath

“Thank you so much for leading the ceremony at my dad’s funeral. It was perfect and we all really appreciated the work you put in.”

— Kate - Bristol

“I want to thank you again for all your contributions which made an enormous difference to the day – so many people said afterwards what a lovely celebration it was and how they had never experienced one like it and how much nicer it was than a church funeral!” 

— WP - Bruton

Image of Ian Harris

Ian Harris

Where I work

I mostly conduct funerals in Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and South Wales. 

I'm happy to travel further afield by arrangement - London, and across the South and South West.

Fees from...

£250 for a simple half-hour cremation ceremony. 

From £350 for longer cremation ceremonies, burials and stand-alone celebration ceremonies, taking into account time and travel. 

How to contact me
Email

ian.harris@humanistceremonies.org.uk

Phone

07966 182793

Website

humanist.org.uk/ianharris

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.