Humanist Funerals

A humanist funeral ceremony is a non-religious celebration of a life. It is an expression of gratitude for a life that has been shared and enjoyed. It is a way of bidding farewell with care, respect and dignity.

We provide personal and dignified ceremonies for those who have chosen to live without religion. Any funeral director should know of the humanist officiants and be able to contact us. It is helpful if the next of kin is aware in advance of a person's wish to have a humanist or non-religious funeral - it is sometimes not enough to write such a wish in a will.

Thank you letters

Local Officiants

Burton: Chris Goodwin 01283 561548

Cheadle Hulme: Roger Fletcher (0161 485 8288)

Lichfield: Valerie Wood (01543 264479)

Macclesfield: Richard Auty 01625 828649

Nantwich: Jan Ferguson (01270 626868)

Newcastle-under-Lyme: Sue Willson (O1782 662693)
e-mail: Sue Willson - suewillson@care4free.net

Stafford: June Williams (01785 212591).

Tamworth: Geraldine Jones (01827 67050)

Telford: Sue Falder (01952 604189)

Uttoxeter: Mike Vernon 01889 592977

The role of the officiant

He or she is there to assist and advise relatives and friends on the format and content of the ceremony. They meet, usually in the home of a family member, several days before the ceremony and are usually in contact by phone or e-mail between the family visit and the day of the funeral. The officiant collates information, prepares a script, and then presents the ceremony on the day. The family is offered a copy of the script after the ceremony. There is also liaison with funeral directors and crematorium / cemetery staff. A typical ceremony could comprise:

• music - to suit the occasion.
• opening words - to welcome mourners and explain the ceremony, thoughts on life and death - appropriate prose or poetry readings.
• the tribute - a sympathetic account of the life, character and personality of the deceased, spoken either by friends or family members or, if preferred, by the officiant. It is a true celebration of that person's life.
• reflection - perhaps a short silence, or appropriate music, to give an opportunity to think about the person who has died. This time can also be used for private prayer by mourners who have religious beliefs.
• the committal - the moment when we say our final goodbye and perhaps the most solemn part of the ceremony. Music is sometimes played at this point.
• closing words - spoken by the officiant and which may include poetry and/or prose readings.
  final music.
  
  The current fee for organising and conducting humanist funerals is around £135.
  
  A leaflet and a booklet 'Funerals without God' are available from the British Humanist Association on 020 7079 3580 or by e-mailing: info@humanism.org.uk.
  

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