Celebrate a Life With Respect and Dignity

The death of a relative or close friend is often a bitter experience and the feelings of shock and loss can be very deep.

 

A funeral should be an occasion for family and friends to focus their thoughts on the person who has died, and help them express their sadness.

But it is also an opportunity for them to celebrate the life of the person they have lost, to express their gratitude and appreciation, and to say farewell with care and respect.

 

Although many people in the UK are aware of the alternative to a religious funeral the option is not so well advertised in Spain.

 

Non religious or Humanist funerals are available through most Costa Funeral Directors but not widely offered unless requested.

This often means a bereaved family does not have the chance to give the kind of final goodbye to a loved one they would have preferred, especially when they know the deceased was not religious.

 

A non religious funeral has the same status in law as a religious one and can be a very moving and dignified ceremony.

 

Most families do not want a stranger or duty priest, who never knew the deceased, to stand up and utter standard words that mean little to them.

Non religious funerals are usually conducted by Humanist Celebrants who have been well trained and have great empathy and understanding for the needs of bereaved families.

 

They will meet the relatives to discuss in detail what type of ceremony they would like, what music or poems to be included and most important they discuss in great detail the life of the deceased. This will include their family background, achievements and personality. The celebrant then goes away to write a script for the ceremony including a full meaningful tribute to the deceased and everything the family requested, including time for any of them to pay their own personal tribute. So that no one with religious beliefs is upset, the celebrant will include a period of quiet reflection when those present can offer their own private prayers.

 

Whatever the circumstances of life and death, celebrants are not there to moralise or judge, but to understand. They will help to plan a personal and dignified funeral ceremony, and conduct it on the day. They also have an important role of liaison with funeral directors and crematorium and cemetery staff.

 

If you feel a humanist funeral is for you please ensure your family fully understand your wishes before your death.     

If you want a non religious funeral for a relative or friend be sure to inform the funeral director at the first meeting.    

 

Also note that you do not have to be rushed in to a quick funeral, simply tell the funeral director you want a delay to give your family and friends time to get out here and he will usually accommodate you.

 

Bryan Stapley is an experienced, Humanist Celebrant having conducted hundreds of funeral ceremonies from infants to the aged and trained many others for the work.