Civil funerals
- What is a civil funeral ceremony?
- Where can a civil funeral be held?
- What kind of funeral do you want?
- Who conducts a civil funeral ceremony?
- How is a civil funeral created?
- How can I arrange a civil funeral ceremony?
- How much does it cost?
What is a civil funeral ceremony?
A civil funeral ceremony is, above all, a ceremony that reflects the wishes of the family and is focused on celebrating the life of the deceased. It is both a dignified tribute and a highly personal memoir, created by a professional celebrant in consultation with the family or executor.
Where can a civil funeral be held?
A civil funeral can be held almost anywhere you wish, except in churches or religious buildings. The ceremonies are appropriate for either a cremation or a burial at any non-religious burial ground.
What kind of funeral do you want?
When someone dies, family and close friends often face dozens of decisions about the funeral. Should it be a burial or cremation? What are the legal requirements? Who should conduct the ceremony? Where should it be held?
All these questions are obviously important but, at a time when emotional stress is high, it's easy to forget perhaps the most important question of all what kind of funeral do you really want?
Every family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of funeral. Your choice may be influenced by religious and cultural traditions, by cost and personal preferences or by the express wishes of the deceased. An increasing number of people are finding that a civil ceremony is a more appropriate choice for them. Your funeral director can help you to contact a civil funeral celebrant.
Who conducts a civil funeral ceremony?
The person conducting the ceremony will be a trained professional celebrant. They may also be, or have been, a registrar. If the person is currently a registrar, they will not be acting in their statutory capacity as a registrar when they conduct a civil funeral as their role as a celebrant is an entirely separate function.
How is a civil funeral created?
The civil funeral ceremony provides a comprehensive framework that allows you the freedom to make a range of choices about the content and style of the ceremony. There's a wide selection of readings to choose from, and you can include additional pieces that had a special meaning and significance for the deceased.
You can include items with religious references if you wish, such as a prayer or a hymn. The celebrant will advise you of all the options available and help you to decide how they could be arranged and presented. You may like to include family members and friends in the ceremony as well as any music that you feel is appropriate.
In short what is created is a ceremony unique to the deceased: a tribute to, and a celebration of, their life, designed and conducted to reflect your express wishes and those of their loved one.
How can I arrange a civil funeral ceremony?
Call the telephone number at the end of this web site. Your funeral director, relative or a friend may make the call if you wish. A civil funeral celebrant will then contact you as soon as possible and arrange to meet you. This meeting can be at your home or, if you prefer, at the premises of your local authority.
At this meeting all the available options to you will be discussed and explained. You will also be asked to provide as much information as possible about the deceased. You may feel it helps to have another member of the family or a close friend with you at this time.
Following this meeting the celebrant will create a ceremony that reflects your instructions. You will then have the opportunity to check the tribute before the day of the funeral. The celebrant always delivers the ceremony from a script. Families who would like a copy of this can request one to be sent to them after the ceremony.
How much does it cost?