The funeral
This page is about the basic structure of the funeral service or ceremony,
upon which you can build to create a fitting tribute to your loved one.
Nowadays, there is a lot more flexibility to how a funeral is conducted.
Some will want to follow a more formal religious structure;
others a more informal mix of sacred and secular,
and of course some will not want any reference to religion during their ceremony.
What path we follow for the funeral you are planning is entirely up to you;
on some occasions, however, we will be following instructions left by the deceased.
Below are some guidelines for the overall structure of the funeral service /ceremony,
regardless of whether it is religious or not;
then there are some more specific details and guidelines about where the funeral takes place.
Further down the page there are links to resources for religious or non-religious funerals.
The basic structure of the funeral:
- the funeral starts once everyone has arrived and all is ready;
- the Funeral Director will guide us to where we should be;
- the Celebrant welcomes everyone, and delivers some opening thoughts;
- there is then time for music, a eulogy or tribute, quiet reflection and readings/poetry as appropriate;
- the Celebrant then says words of commendation and farewell, followed by the committal;
- final words / thoughts (and perhaps notices) bring the funeral to its conclusion, and all depart.
Exactly how those basic elements slot together is up to you;
my role is to be a guide and co-ordinator, and to conduct the funeral as you would wish.
upon which you can build to create a fitting tribute to your loved one.
Nowadays, there is a lot more flexibility to how a funeral is conducted.
Some will want to follow a more formal religious structure;
others a more informal mix of sacred and secular,
and of course some will not want any reference to religion during their ceremony.
What path we follow for the funeral you are planning is entirely up to you;
on some occasions, however, we will be following instructions left by the deceased.
Below are some guidelines for the overall structure of the funeral service /ceremony,
regardless of whether it is religious or not;
then there are some more specific details and guidelines about where the funeral takes place.
Further down the page there are links to resources for religious or non-religious funerals.
The basic structure of the funeral:
- the funeral starts once everyone has arrived and all is ready;
- the Funeral Director will guide us to where we should be;
- the Celebrant welcomes everyone, and delivers some opening thoughts;
- there is then time for music, a eulogy or tribute, quiet reflection and readings/poetry as appropriate;
- the Celebrant then says words of commendation and farewell, followed by the committal;
- final words / thoughts (and perhaps notices) bring the funeral to its conclusion, and all depart.
Exactly how those basic elements slot together is up to you;
my role is to be a guide and co-ordinator, and to conduct the funeral as you would wish.
Funerals at a crematorium:
The most important thing to remember
when planning a service or ceremony taking place at a crematorium
is the time available to you.
Your Funeral Director will be able to advise you on just how much time we have, depending on the chapel you use.
It is important to note that our time will include entry and departure from the chapel;
as much as we could spend many hours reminiscing at the funeral,
we do have to use the time as effectively as possible, thinking about what you say / sing / listen to very carefully.
Many people choose to deliver more detailed tributes and speeches
at the gathering that takes place after the funeral.
There is little restriction on what music you can choose, other than perhaps the length of a song/piece.
Funerals at a cemetery / burial ground:
Whilst there are fewer time restrictions than there are at a crematorium,
there is less opportunity for music, unless a suitable portable device can be found.
As a result, these funerals tend to be more simple, reflective occasions,
based very much on the spoken word.
Your Funeral Director will be able to advise on exactly what facilities for music, if any, are available.
Planning the funeral in detail:
I've put together a 2-page list of more detailed questions that I
(and most other celebrants/ Ministers) will ask you about the funeral service.
It will help you get a clearer idea of how the funeral will flow.
You can download that list below, either as a Word document, or as a PDF -
whichever you choose, they are exactly the same.
Whilst there are fewer time restrictions than there are at a crematorium,
there is less opportunity for music, unless a suitable portable device can be found.
As a result, these funerals tend to be more simple, reflective occasions,
based very much on the spoken word.
Your Funeral Director will be able to advise on exactly what facilities for music, if any, are available.
Planning the funeral in detail:
I've put together a 2-page list of more detailed questions that I
(and most other celebrants/ Ministers) will ask you about the funeral service.
It will help you get a clearer idea of how the funeral will flow.
You can download that list below, either as a Word document, or as a PDF -
whichever you choose, they are exactly the same.
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It's at this stage that the website divides in to religious or non-religious,
and there are many resources within each section;
click on one of the buttons below to go to the page you want.
Below that are buttons that link to the other pages within the First Steps section.