Hello! I'm a Humanist Ceremonies funeral celebrant, trained and accredited by Humanists UK.
My parents were never church-goers and so when I came to consider Celebrant work, the training offered by Humanists UK looked most appropriate. As it turned out, it was excellent. It is gold-standard, the very best there is.
Not many people ask Funeral Directors for a Humanist ceremony. If you took a straw poll most people might struggle to give an answer to what Humanism is. However, well over a third of the population in the last census reported having "no religion".
In a nutshell, Humanism is a word that can describe someone who is not religious. So, this is where I come in. I create and lead simple non-religious funeral ceremonies, at the time of cremation or burial.
I'm not against including some religious content if it is appropriate and comforting to those bereaved. For example, my mum recalled singing All Things Bright and Beautiful in her school assemblies, so I included an instrumental version in her funeral. It's about being all-embracing and there is usually a period of reflection when people may want to say a private prayer.
A bit about me. I'm originally from London and I've lived in my wife's hometown of St Helen's for the past 20 years. My key passion is music I'm happy to help you choose appropriate pop, rock, or classical music - if you need any help. My other passion is vintage cars and I own a Morris Minor - it is the same age as me, 58.
I will help you celebrate the life of your loved one, however, the day is ultimately a sad one, whichever way you try and mask it.
To sum up my approach, the ceremonies I create and lead are dignified, genuine, professional and entirely appropriate. If this is what you are looking for, then please contact me directly. Please note that standard fees often published by Funeral Directors are based on annual Church of England Parochial Fees for Ministers administering a service. Celebrants are self-employed and my preference is to set my fees a little higher than the parochial fees. I am not a Minister, and the services are not comparable - rather than being a formulaic service of worship - a humanist service is more personal and tailored towards the life of the individual concerned.
