Hi, I'm Sean

Image of Sean O'Donnell

Hi, I'm Sean from Derry in the northwest of Northern Ireland. I conduct meaningful and personal funeral ceremonies around the Northwest, concentrating on the life story of the person we have lost and celebrating the often extraordinary lives that ordinary people have lived. I will meet with families to discuss the ceremony and get as much information about the deceased's life to make their ceremony as relevant and meaningful as I possibly can, working with the family to help choose music, readings and poetry which reflects their outlook on life, their experiences and the impact they have made on those that know and love them.

Many of the attendees at non-religious ceremonies have their own beliefs, so I always endeavour to make each ceremony as welcoming and inclusive as I can, normally including a time for quiet reflection in each service where those with a religious belief can say a silent prayer.

Image of Sean O'Donnell

Sean O'Donnell

Where I work

Humanist funeral ceremonies can be conducted almost anywhere, so if there is a special place with particular meaning for the deceased and their family, the ceremony can take place there. I have conducted ceremonies in funeral homes, living rooms, gardens, in community halls, in the grounds of a mansion house and on the side of an Italian mountain. But mostly around the Northwest.

Fees from...

My fees start at £160, and the final fee may include some small travel expenses. If the fee is prohibitive I will try to be flexible and accommodating.

How to contact me
Email

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.