Non-Religious & Humanist Funeral Services Explained

Traditionally, funerals have been connected with faith communities. More and more, though, funeral services are being planned with sensitivity to the beliefs of the person who has died, and if this person did not practice any specific religion, a non-religious funeral is more appropriate. Often, a humanist funeral is a good option, because humanism is a philosophical and ethical way of looking at life, rather than a religion. Anyone can choose humanist funeral, and it will be non-religious. Just like a religious service, a non-religious or humanist funeral service is used to allow the families and friends of the person who died to express their sadness, share condolences, and honour that person’s life.

One of the major differences between a religious and non-religious service is that a religious funeral has traditions, rituals and historical guidelines in place for how it should be conducted. As these are lacking for non-religious funerals, there is a high level of flexibility and the funeral can be designed by the family, in accordance with their wishes or the wishes of the person who has died. Often, these services contain many of the same elements of a traditional funeral service, including eulogies, songs and readings. The songs and readings can be whatever the person would have liked. For instance, passages could be read from a favourite book, or non-religious funeral poems can be recited.

Essentially, in attending a non-religious funeral, one should behave exactly as though it were any other funeral service. Grief and mourning feel the same, even to people who are not religious, and the general mood is likely to be sombre. In most cases, the proper dress attire will be conservative, in black or other dark colours. However, in some cases, the family will want to hold a memorial service that is a celebration of the person’s life, with attendees in bright colours and a celebratory mood, remembering the person with affection and joy. As with any funeral, it is best to check with someone close to the person who has died, to make sure you are in the know about the specific nature of the service. Even if it is celebratory, it is courteous to offer sympathy and words of comfort to the close friends and family of the person who has died.

One benefit of planning a non-religious funeral, whether for yourself or for a loved one, is that it can be anything you wish for it to be, as long as it honours the person it is meant to commemorate. The funeral can be held anywhere, with anyone officiating, there are no particular guidelines about cremations, embalming, and burial, and the music and readings can be chosen to truly reflect who the person was in life.

Of course, it is worth noting that many people who wish to incorporate religious aspects into their funeral still opt for something a little bit non-traditional, with favourite songs and readings that are secular in nature. Whether religious, secular, humanist or atheist, a funeral is meant to bring people together in a way that honours the unique person they are remembering. Especially if you are planning your own funeral, you can give some thought to the way that you would like to be remembered. What songs and readings are meaningful to you? What aspects of your life would you like incorporated into the service? A funeral, memorial, or celebration of life can be tailored to represent the specific person, and this is a wonderful way to bring healing to those who mourn.

When you need help planning an end of life service, choose funeral services from a business with experience, compassion, and strong ties to the community. Founded in 2002 by Nigel Gillard, Bridgwater Funeral Services Limited, in the centre of Bridgwater, Somerset, is a family business that provides personal service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Nigel has been working in the funeral business for over 15 years, and his daughter Corrinne Foster, who is the highest qualified Funeral Director in the area, assists in running the business.

We are committed to taking care of all funeral arrangements, and welcoming our clients into a professional, friendly environment, with a luxurious waiting room and a beautiful Chapel of Rest. We offer Green and Woodland burials, horse-drawn funerals, military funerals, and services in all religious denominations as well as non-religious and humanist life celebrations. We also offer low-cost funerals and Golden Charter pre-paid funeral plans. If you have queries about the services we offer, or you just need help and advice, please do not hesitate to call us at 01278 457755, pop into our office on Bristol Road, or contact us through our website.