Ideas and inspiration
Humanist celebrants craft memorable and meaningful funeral ceremonies, intertwining personal memories with timeless human values. These are their stories.
‘She lived well and she died well’: Planning a unique humanist funeral for our mum
When Sarah talks about her mum Joan’s funeral, words like “joy”, “fun” and “celebration” come up a lot. It’s hardly surprising. This was someone who, in Sarah’s words, ‘always said...
‘This is how a funeral should be’: How Bernie’s friends planned a good send-off
Maddy’s friend, Bernie, lost the ability to say more than a few words after suffering a stroke. But he was still able to enjoy life and to make his views...
A non-religious funeral ceremony for a baby
A humanist funeral ceremony for a baby recognises the depth of the loss and pain, acknowledging the unique significance of the child who has died, and all the ways their...
Simply put, a humanist funeral is a non-religious and personal funeral ceremony. A humanist funeral is a non-religious service that is both a dignified farewell and a celebration of a...
Non-religious poems for a baby’s funeral
When struggling with loss and grief, some people find comfort in poetry. When read aloud, a moving poem has the ability to bring people together in quiet contemplation and mourning....
Who to tell about the death of a loved one
Life Ledger is a free, secure, easy-to-use service that simplifies the process of death notifications.
Five ways to honour a loved one’s memory
The old adage 'Life's too short' can sometimes hit home when someone you love dies. It can make you assess your own life and clarify for you changes you want...
It’s time to talk about your funeral wishes
Newsflash: We’re all going to die. It’s inevitable. Life, sadly, is a terminal condition, and death is one of its few certainties. But the reality is that talking about our...
Thinking ahead to your funeral
'Catherine was facing a terminal diagnosis of cancer, but she was also used to planning her life, and considered planning her death and the immediate aftermath no different. She was...
Even when it’s expected, the death of someone we know and love can be shocking and painful. And when planning a funeral, there are so many decisions to be made...
Pre-planned ceremonies and prepaid funeral plans
If you've been thinking about getting your affairs in order, you may have been looking into prepaid funeral plans. But did you know that they don't include recording your wishes...
Louise Jopling has been a humanist funeral celebrant for over a decade. So, if anyone would knows what makes a 'good' funeral, it's Louise. Here, she shares her thoughts on...