The funeral is one of life’s most important rituals. It’s also the one most resistant to change.
Category
Universal Humanism
We live in a death-phobic culture
The brain has a shield which insulates it from thoughts of death.
A funeral is the ultimate distress purchase
If even doctors can’t talk about death, it’s hardly surprising that the rest of us ignore it too.
Where do you expect to be buried?
Early humans built houses for their dead before they built houses for themselves.
Bring Up The Bodies
Our ‘end of life choices’ are pretty limited. Most of us will be cremated; some will be buried, but every year a select few choose to be buried at sea.
A Lie About Humanity
Most of the ceremonies I conduct are for people who have done “little of note”. Often they’re the most moving of all.
The Soundtrack of Your Life
Ronnie wanted lots of music for his funeral but what he DIDN’T want was for me to talk about his life.
Liz & Al’s Humanist Blessing at Oakley Court
Love is the ultimate doing word, the vital verb, and to be able to express that, in our own words, on the day we chose to formalise our journey together, was hugely important to us.
Rach & Roy’s Humanist Wedding at Carlowrie Castle
We still have guests asking us where and how we found Tim because they liked him so much!
The Silent Teachers
Fiona had no funeral. Instead she donated her body to train a new generation of doctors.