Humanist Funerals..

What’s involved?

 

 

 

The writing and conducting of a funeral service involves the coming together of some fairly specialised and specific skills.  The officiant will need to be able to communicate and listen, possess empathy and experience of life; they will need to have writing and oratory skills - the ability to be able to present the tribute in a public arena, with dignity and gravitas – they may even need a keen grasp of twentieth century history, as so many of the generation now passing away lived through either, one or both of the World Wars.  It is for these reasons and for many more besides, that the British Humanist Association carefully selects its celebrants and officiants – they are trained to do this kind of sensitive work and their skills are monitored from time to time, as part of the BHA’s Accreditation Scheme.

 

Funeral Directors will of course be concerned that their clients are in ‘safe hands’ – therefore it will be of some assurance to know these following salient points with regards to Officiants trained and Accredited by the British Humanist Association:

 

 

  • BHA Officiants put the bereft family’s needs first – gearing every aspect of the ceremony to their individual requirements

 

  • They give generously of their time, often spending up to two hours or more with the family and often spending several more hours writing the tribute, yet they are able to keep the ceremony within the given time frame

 

  • Each ceremony is highly personal – written with empathy and sensitivity, the tribute seeks to celebrate the life of the one who has gone, yet also provides support and comfort for the living

 

  • BHA Officiants are able to supply a copy of the tribute – often these become much cherished by the family

 

  • BHA Officiants are part of a local and national network – able to support the bereaved, Funeral Directors and each other.

 

 

  Return to Ceremonies Page

 

 

British Humanist Association, 1 Gower Street, London WC1E 6HD | Registered Charity No. 285987

Tel: 020 7079 3580 | Fax: 020 7079 3588 |www.humanism.org.uk