Frequently Asked Questions

You may have questions about the process. Below is a list of frequently asked questions; if you can’t find your answer to your specific query, then please get in touch with me.

A funeral celebrant will plan and guide you through your service helping and supporting you at this painful time. They conduct a ceremony in a relaxed, dignified and respectful way reflecting how you want the person to be remembered.

A celebrant offers an alternative to a church service and “presents” a very personal approach where the service is tailored to your wishes, beliefs and values with as much or as little religious content, as you would like. You and your family will be able to have a lot more input and the service is generally more relaxed.

A ‘celebrant led’ funeral service, whether a humanist or a non-denominational celebrant will be driven by the wishes, beliefs and values of your family. A minister in a church leads a service differently, as quite naturally they follow the beliefs and ideology of their church.

There can be some uncertainty between the differences of the role of a humanist and a celebrant. It is also true that in some cases funeral directors might not be entirely sure either.

In a nutshell, the main difference is the level of religious content in the service. A humanist service is regarded as a non-religious ceremony and therefore it does not contain any religious content but is conducted based on the beliefs which a humanist has which is that life is based on humanity and reason and moral values are founded on human nature and experience. They believe that life on earth is the only one.

A celebrant will understand if your loved one did not have any particular beliefs and will help you to prepare a service reflecting that. You will be able to choose whether to include any reference to religion such as prayers or hymns. It is entirely usual for no religious reference to be included, but instead music, readings or poetry, which are appropriate for you and your family. You may wish to read and/or write the readings, poetry and eulogy, or you might want to ask the celebrant to help you write and choose some or all of these elements.

The choice is entirely yours. If you would prefer a non-religious service, that’s exactly what you can have. It is quite usual for a period of quiet reflection to be included. Alternatively, you may actually want to include a prayer that is meaningful to you, your family or your loved one. At our initial meeting we will talk through your beliefs and the beliefs of your loved one and find a way to appropriately reflect any individual beliefs.

It is worth noting that it is often the case that non-religious ceremonies include something, which may be religious such as the Lord’s Prayer or a hymn, as this offers comfort to family members and friends.

A humanist will act in a similar way to a celebrant, as a guide, supporter and Master of Ceremonies. However, a humanist is registered with a difference body/institute to that of a celebrant and they offer no scope for including even a small amount of religious content. This is because their beliefs in the afterlife do not allow them to support you in this way.

In essence, they can take place anywhere you choose, as there is no legal requirement to have a funeral service in a designated place. It is certainly a common misconception that a funeral service can only be held at a crematorium or cemetery. You may want to hold the service in a favourite place, such as a park or woodland, on the beach, or even at home, but you may need permission. I will be able to help you with your choice.

No. Every funeral ceremony led by a celebrant is written specifically to reflect the life of your loved one and the celebrant will use their experience and their skills to write the best possible script, which reflects a life that’s been lived. They will make sure that you are happy with what they have written, so that you have the perfect words on the day.

I will meet you at the venue you have chosen to conduct the service as planned. I will arrive well before you and make sure that everything is ready for both you and the service.

If the service is to take place at a crematorium, the allotted time is normally between 30 minutes to an hour, although longer services can be reserved if required, but will incur an additional charge. There is usually more flexibility with time if the service is held at a different venue such as your home or a woodland setting.

Currently it remains usual to have an appointed funeral director, although services taking place without using a funeral director are becoming more commonplace. In many cases the funeral director will have engaged me but if you have made your own choice, I can still work closely with any funeral director to ensure every aspect of the funeral is covered. You will be involved as well, with all 3 parties working closely together.

The thought of speaking at the service can appear to be quite daunting although many people are often pleased afterwards that they did. I will always actively encourage participation in the service, but I do understand that it may be a struggle to deliver your reading, poem, or tribute at the service. So, I will be there for you on the day, and ready to help you if you need my support in any way.

Many people choose to have favourite photographs on display, or items with personal significance placed on or near the coffin. If you are having a reception afterwards, you could put together a photo memory board for people to look at together. You could have a slideshow of pictures, which can be shown during a piece of music, or during the service, but this may be dependent on the facilities available at your choice of venue.

Music can be very powerful, and it is very common to include music in your service. You can choose if you want to have music for entering and/or leaving the service and during it. You may wish to include a favourite hymn or music that has a strong connection with your loved one. Music can set the mood and some songs can be very poignant or reflective. I can help with the type of music you choose and how it is delivered, including on a CD player, iPad, or through the music system at the venue.

You will have to make plans for the ashes. And although they will be ready for collection a few days after the service, there is no rush for you to decide what you would like to do with them. You may wish to choose a cemetery, churchyard, woodland, natural site for their interment or a scattering in the garden of remembrance at the crematorium or in a location of your choice.

I can lead any service that you decide upon. However, it is entirely usual for a service to be attended privately with only the family in attendance. I can guide you through the appropriate options.

In simple terms, a memorial service or service of thanksgiving is held where a family wishes to have only the immediate family at the committal but want to invite their wider family and friends to attend a further celebration, at a venue of their choosing. This may take place on the same day or perhaps at a later date following the cremation. It is not necessarily a replay of the funeral service, as emotions may have changed, and the numbers of guests are likely to be greater. Those attending might also be more varied in their knowledge of the life, which is to be celebrated. I can help you organise this.

Get in Touch

You may speak to me directly. Whilst I work predominantly in Sussex and Kent, I can work alongside any Funeral Director of your choice.

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