A Humanist funeral service celebrates the life of a deceased individual without any mention of religion or god. The funeral is entirely secular and focuses on memorialising and saying goodbye to whoever has passed, rather than following any religious traditions or practices. However, some people may still include religious hymns or readings regardless of their faith. Anyone can have a humanist funeral, they are not limited to those that saw themselves as a humanist whilst they were still alive. 

 

If you have any questions regarding humanist funerals, or wish to begin making funeral arrangements, call us on 0800 464 7277 and a member of our team will be able to assist you throughout the process.

 

What do people usually wear? 

 

Humanist funerals are not particularly different to other funerals, and as such the dress code is the same. Most people opt for formal clothes in a dark colour palette. However, certain people and families may ask their guests to adhere to a certain colour scheme, such as bright colours, or a specific colour that may have been a favourite of their loved one. But if you haven’t been informed of a certain dress code, it is safe to wear black or something similar. Whilst there are no specific guidelines detailing what to wear to a humanist funeral, it is typically a sombre occasion, and as such respectful, darker items of clothing are recommended. 

 

What happens at a humanist funeral?

 

Humanist funerals are very similar to other types of funeral. There will usually be music and readings that have been selected by the family of the deceased, and the service will be led by a celebrant. The focus of a humanist funeral is the tribute, which usually lasts about 15 minutes and consists of memories and stories submitted by family and friends about who has passed. The tribute is essentially the eulogy and helps to paint a picture of the individual throughout their lifetime.

 

Following the tribute, you may observe a moment of quiet reflection, either in silence or accompanied by music, before the service concludes. Many groups will then choose to congregate after the service, with most crematoriums having designated areas such as floral tribute areas, where mourners can also look at all the flowers and messages. We’ve also written a more extensive guide to what is a humanist funeral.

 

What is humanist cremation?

 

Humanist cremation does not differ from any other cremation, as the process itself is the same. It is only the service aspect of the funeral which is different. A humanist cremation will not be religious, and focus instead on celebrating the life of the individual, with the tribute remaining as the focal point of the ceremony. 

 

Do I have to be a humanist to have a humanist funeral? 

 

No, the deceased does not have to have considered themselves to be a humanist whilst they were still alive in order to have a humanist funeral. A humanist funeral is simply a funeral in which there is no reference to a god or other spiritual figure during the service. As such, any individual who did not follow a faith can have a humanist funeral, and even those who were religious may choose for their funeral to omit religion. 

 

How can I arrange a humanist funeral?

 

Funeral services are available from Willow Lake for the standard price of £1995, whether they are humanist or religious. The price of £1995 includes everything, from the help of the celebrant, their involvement on the day, any liaisons between our team and the doctor or coroner (as well as taking care of any legal paperwork involved), the collection and care of your loved one, the funeral itself, and finally, the delivery of the ashes. Our price of £1995 includes all third party costs and there are no upfront payments or hidden fees. We have a number of locations through Great Britain.

 

To begin making arrangements for a funeral, humanist or otherwise, or just to ask a question, you can call us on 0800 464 7277 and a member of our experienced team can help you. Alternatively, email us at [email protected].

What is a humanist funeral? 

 

A humanist funeral is a non-religious funeral. They are not exclusively for humanists, but are for anyone who is not religious. The service focuses on celebrating the life of the individual, with no reference to faith. There may still be music, readings and a eulogy. 

 

Humanist funerals are usually led by a celebrant. They will focus the service on the life the person has led, rather than the faith they may have followed. 

 

Funeral services are available from Willow Lake for the standard price of £1995, whether they are humanist or religious. Our price of £1995 includes all third party costs and there are no upfront payments or hidden fees.

 

What happens during a humanist funeral service? 

 

Humanist funerals follow a similar structure to religious funerals, they just omit any mention of faith or religious traditions. 

 

First of all, the celebrant will greet your family and your guests, and then they can lead the service. 

 

A humanist funeral often includes pieces of music chosen by the deceased’s family, as well as readings or poetry. The service will also include a tribute section, the main focus of the funeral. 

 

The tribute will typically last around 15 minutes and can be written by the celebrant. The tribute will often include a variety of stories and memories submitted by friends and family.

 

Following the tribute you may wish to include time for silent reflection, which may be accompanied by a piece of music, or carried out in silence. Then the funeral usually ends with the committal, whereby the curtains are closed and the ceremony concludes with words of thanks. 

 

What is the role of the celebrant? 

 

Since humanist funerals are not religious, there are no Vicars, Priests, or any other religious figureheads to lead the service. Instead, humanist funerals use a celebrant. Celebrants are trained to create unique services that reflects the life of your loved one and on the day they will lead the service, unless you would prefer to do this yourself.

 

We work with a small selection of local celebrants that you can choose from, and is included within our standard price of £1995. The celebrant can lead the entire service, or as much or as little as you would like. The celebrant will also help you and your family to plan the service, and can help to guide you through this incredibly difficult time. 

 

What is humanist cremation?

 

Humanist cremation does not differ from any other cremation, as the process itself is the same. It is only the service aspect of the funeral which is different. 

 

How much does a humanist funeral cost? 

 

Funeral services at Willow Lake all cost a standard price of £1995, and this is the same for humanist funerals. The price of £1995 includes everything, from the help of the celebrant, their involvement on the day, any liaisons between our team and the doctor or coroner (as well as taking care of any legal paperwork involved), the collection and care of your loved one, the funeral itself, and finally, the delivery of the ashes. 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a funeral with Willow Lake, call a member of our experienced team on 0800 464 7277. Alternatively, send us an email at [email protected]

A humanist funeral is simply a non-religious funeral. They are customarily led by a celebrant who provides a dignified farewell and sincere celebration of a person’s life, without mentioning religion. 

 

Humanist funerals are not necessarily just for humanists. Instead, they are appropriate for any person without religious beliefs. The focus is therefore on the life of the person, with readings, music and a eulogy, but no reference to faith. 

 

Where are humanist funerals held? 

 

Willow Lake offers humanist funerals at all of our locations, available here. You can choose your humanist celebrant from our friendly and professional team to conduct the service. 

 

To begin arranging a humanist funeral with Willow Lake, simply call us on 0800 464 7277 or send an email to [email protected]. 

 

Who conducts the service?

 

A humanist celebrant conducts the service. Willow Lake has a team of experienced and compassionate humanist celebrants for you to choose from. Their role is to support you with the funeral arrangements. They also usually lead the service, though you may opt to do so yourself.

 

Your chosen celebrant will meet with you in person and work with you, family members and close friends to create a personalised tribute. To closely tailor the service to the person who has died, they will also take time to find out their history, personality and preferences. Willow Lake celebrants use this information to help you to plan all aspects of the funeral, including music, readings and time for reflection. 

 

What happens during a humanist funeral?

 

On the day of the funeral, your celebrant will welcome you and your guests. Depending on your preferences, they may also conduct the entire service for you. This involves delivering readings and the tribute.

 

Humanist services are open to interpretation. As the organiser, you can choose how to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased. Many people follow the structure of a traditional religious ceremony, only leaving out any acts of worship. 

 

The personal tribute or eulogy

 

In general, the main part of a humanist funeral is the personal tribute or eulogy. Either the celebrant, a family member or close friend will read this out. Again, the format is up to you, but it typically covers the life, character and attributes of the deceased. Those close to the person normally contribute to this section with memories, stories, and other remembrances.

 

It is not uncommon, however, to include some religious content such as readings, music or hymns. Some people also incorporate time for silent reflection on the life of the deceased at the end of the service. It may be observed with music or in silence. This gives attendees with religious beliefs the opportunity to pray. 

 

The committal

 

Following the tribute or time for reflection is the committal. The committal marks the end of the service by closing the curtains. This is entirely optional and the coffin can remain in place if you prefer. The ceremony typically concludes after this with words of thanks.

 

What to wear to a humanist funeral

 

Like most aspects of a humanist funeral, the dress code is up to the organisers. It will frequently imitate a traditional funeral so smart dark clothing is best. But, some families prefer their guests to wear bright colours in reflection of the life and personality of the individual who has passed away.

 

What is the cost of a humanist funeral?

 

At Willow Lake, all of our funerals, including humanist services, cost £1,995. This set price covers all costs with no hidden or upfront fees. 

 

Call us on 0800 464 7277 to find out more or to begin planning a humanist funeral.