Civil / secular funeral – organising a non-religious ceremony
More and more families choose a funeral without religious service. A civil ceremony gives full freedom to build every moment around the person: music, texts, symbolic gestures. Here's how to plan one.
Who leads a civil ceremony?
Humanist celebrants or independent officiants meet the family, gather memories, draft a personalised eulogy and lead the ceremony. Find them through funeral directors, humanist associations (Humanists UK, IHEU) or independently. A close relative may also officiate.
Where to hold the ceremony
Options: crematorium chapel (most common, 30–60 min), non-denominational cemetery chapel, community hall, family home, meaningful location. The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) offers a checklist for choosing a venue by group size.
Personal rituals
No fixed form. Typical elements: eulogy by a loved one, favourite music (classical, song, rock; live or recorded), readings (poems, extracts), symbolic gestures (candle, rose, releasing balloons or bubbles), photo slideshow. Average length 30–45 minutes.
Costs and formalities
Celebrant: £150–£500 depending on preparation and region. Chapel hire: £100–£300. Funeral directors offer bundles. No special permission required – standard burial or cremation rules apply.
Frequently asked questions
- Need special permission?
- No, only the usual burial or cremation permits apply.
- How much does a celebrant cost?
- £150–£500 depending on preparation and region.
- Can the ceremony be held at home?
- Yes, with the funeral director's help.
- Can a relative officiate?
- Yes, this is common and fully legal.
Wegbegleiter – the app for difficult moments
The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) guides you step by step: checklists, letter templates and an encrypted emergency folder – free to start.