Hi, I'm Lily
If you're considering a Humanist funeral ceremony for your loved one, family member or friend, please feel free to reach out and I'll talk you through what to expect and will answer any questions you may have.
Why choose a Humanist ceremony?
A Humanist ceremony puts the person at the centre of the funeral. It's an opportunity to personalise their send off and ensure that the ceremony really encapsulates who they were and what they meant to people, without the inclusion of religious elements.
I first learned about Humanism when I was looking for a celebrant for my dad's funeral nearly 5 years ago. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the brilliant network of Humanists UK celebrants and the process of talking to our celebrant about my dad and taking part in the creation of his ceremony was an incredibly healing process at a very difficult time.
My dad was a complex person, as most of us are. He died during the pandemic after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's, which he was diagnosed with in his mid-50s. He and his care had been at the centre of my world for years and his death hit me hard. I couldn't imagine how anybody would be able to write a tribute that did him justice after an hour-long Zoom meeting.
When I first read the draft ceremony, I was delighted to find that our celebrant had clearly understood him and what he meant to us. And not just the good bits. She had managed to strike the perfect balance between celebrating him, acknowledging the challenges we'd faced with him and cementing the legacy he left behind. Her delivery of the ceremony was professional, warm, respectful and inclusive.
It was an amazing skill. I feel honoured to be able to deliver that experience for others and do what I can to help people process death and the grief that comes with it.
I have experience with cremations, natural burials and celebrations of life; having delivered ceremonies to congregations of up to 260 guests. My background in event management means I can think on my feet, problem-solve calmly; and communicate clearly and professionally.
I pride myself on being able adapt to different working styles and I have a lot of respect for the teams of funeral directors who've honed their craft over the years. More than anything, the reason I chose to pursue a career as a funeral celebrant is because I care about people. Being trusted to tell someone's story is a total privilege.
Communication prior to the funeral was brilliant, which is always helpful to us FDs. On the day, Lily was so pleasant and welcoming. She had a lovely manner when addressing the entire congregation during the funeral and kept everything very engaging, sincere and professional. Lily provided a truly heartfelt service; it was a pleasure to work with her.
— Natasha (Funeral Director at Adam & Greenwood - Natural Burial)
This wasn't just a ceremony, it was so much more, it was a celebration of one very special man's life delivered with dignity, sensitivity, empathy and joy. I am so grateful to Lily for making the most difficult day of my life a day to remember; and a day that I only wish Gav could have been at - he would have loved it.
— Clare
Lily Duke-Evans
Where I work
Within an hour's drive or train journey from Liverpool.
I will consider working further afield if the date is workable and if you're happy to have a video call to prepare for the ceremony, rather than an in-person meeting.
Fees from...
£235 for a standard length ceremony (30 minutes) within an hour from Liverpool.
If you're more than an hour's journey from Liverpool, or if you wish to have a longer ceremony, I will be able to provide a reasonable price to cover the additional time needed.
How to contact me
lily.duke-evans@humanistceremonies.org.uk
Phone
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.
