Types of Farewell
"In my opinion, she is the best celebrant locally. As a funeral director, I can honestly say that this lady is amazing. All the families she has dealt with for me were over the moon."
Which type of farewell you require depends on when it is being planned:
Funeral
Th majority of my funerals are 'at need' services, which occur shortly after a person dies.
The deceased is present in a coffin or shroud, and typicall there will be words of committal or farewell for the deceased person's body, before they are cremated or buried.
Most traditional funerals are of this sort, and likely managed by a funeral director, who will normally care for the deceased's body too, and will help you with transport, coffin, flowers, stationery etc.
With support from your local bereavement office, you can do the arrangements yourself if you wish, including booking your choice of crematorium 'slot'. There is advice online too if you'd like to be more involved.
There are regulations regarding how the deceased's body is dealt with, but no rules about when, where and how the service should take place, or who should lead it.
These are your choice.
Funerals are usually led by a minister or celebrant.
Your choice of minister/celebrant may be contacted direct.
You can find celebrants by Googling 'funeral celebrants near me' or using the link at the bottom of the page.
Alternatively, ask your funeral director to book one on your behalf.
If unsure who to use, you may accept a funeral director recommendation.
The best funeral directors will match the most suitable local officiants for your requirements to you; not just use the same one or two for everyone.
Arrangers will not usually have seen the officiant's services, or know the differences between them, so you may prefer to ask for a list of officiants and select your own.
You may lead the funeral yourself, of course, or not have a service at all, if you prefer.
Services typically take place at a local crematorium, cemetery, graveyard, or natural burial ground. The fees are set by the local council, or a private provider.
Out of area funerals may be more expensive.
You may hold the service at alternative locations - such as at a function venue or at home.
See Options for more ideas, or contact me, or your favoured funeral director, for advice.
Memorial
A memorial ceremony is conducted post-committal - that is, after cremation or burial - or where there was no body.
It may be combined with an ashes interment or scattering if you wish.
It is usually a 'celebration of life' type event.
A memorial takes place at your choice of date/time and venue/location.
You may choose a memorial when:
There's no need for a funeral director to be in attendance, unless you'd like them to arrange vehicles, flowers, stationery etc.
You may wish to have me write/lead the ceremony, or do it yourself - either way, I'm happy to offer advice.
Pre-need
Pre-need guidance is where I work with you to discuss, and/or design a funeral ceremony ahead of time.
Sometimes people who are terminally ill, or caring for someone who is terminally ill, choose this.
Other times people have no intention of departing any time soon, but like to have everything in place for the future!
Funeral plans taken out with funeral homes or online companies often record the basics, but rarely consider the full service content itself - which is the heart of the funeral! So it still leaves the chief mourner having to organise this.
It can put your mind at rest to know you've recorded your wishes, and more importantly, the stories you'd like to have told.
Perhaps you'd like me to draft a service running order, eulogy, or script for you - for either myself or someone else to deliver, when the time comes.
You may book by the hour for a chat to explore your options, or have me record your wishes in detail, which you can keep safe for later.
If you have taken out a funeral plan, it can be kept with it.
Useful Links
www.gov.uk/after-a-death/arrange-the-funeral
www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/
www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/arranging-a-funeral
www.naturaldeath.org.uk/index.php?page=natural-burial-grounds
www.homefuneralalliance.org/home-funeral-fact-sheet.html
funeralcelebrants.org.uk/
- before death (pre-need)
- in the immediate aftermath of a bereavement (at-need funeral)
- some time after committal (memorial or celebration of life).
Funeral
Th majority of my funerals are 'at need' services, which occur shortly after a person dies.
The deceased is present in a coffin or shroud, and typicall there will be words of committal or farewell for the deceased person's body, before they are cremated or buried.
Most traditional funerals are of this sort, and likely managed by a funeral director, who will normally care for the deceased's body too, and will help you with transport, coffin, flowers, stationery etc.
With support from your local bereavement office, you can do the arrangements yourself if you wish, including booking your choice of crematorium 'slot'. There is advice online too if you'd like to be more involved.
There are regulations regarding how the deceased's body is dealt with, but no rules about when, where and how the service should take place, or who should lead it.
These are your choice.
Funerals are usually led by a minister or celebrant.
Your choice of minister/celebrant may be contacted direct.
You can find celebrants by Googling 'funeral celebrants near me' or using the link at the bottom of the page.
Alternatively, ask your funeral director to book one on your behalf.
If unsure who to use, you may accept a funeral director recommendation.
The best funeral directors will match the most suitable local officiants for your requirements to you; not just use the same one or two for everyone.
Arrangers will not usually have seen the officiant's services, or know the differences between them, so you may prefer to ask for a list of officiants and select your own.
You may lead the funeral yourself, of course, or not have a service at all, if you prefer.
Services typically take place at a local crematorium, cemetery, graveyard, or natural burial ground. The fees are set by the local council, or a private provider.
Out of area funerals may be more expensive.
You may hold the service at alternative locations - such as at a function venue or at home.
See Options for more ideas, or contact me, or your favoured funeral director, for advice.
Memorial
A memorial ceremony is conducted post-committal - that is, after cremation or burial - or where there was no body.
It may be combined with an ashes interment or scattering if you wish.
It is usually a 'celebration of life' type event.
A memorial takes place at your choice of date/time and venue/location.
You may choose a memorial when:
- only a small or simple funeral was possible & now you'd like a full celebration of life
- there was a direct cremation - or 'funeral without ceremony'
- you'd like to mark an 'in memoriam' anniversary or birthday
- you wish to gain closure with a farewell ritual, for example:
- tree planting or other ritual or symbolic act
- ashes scattering or interment (subject to the land owner's permission)
There's no need for a funeral director to be in attendance, unless you'd like them to arrange vehicles, flowers, stationery etc.
You may wish to have me write/lead the ceremony, or do it yourself - either way, I'm happy to offer advice.
Pre-need
Pre-need guidance is where I work with you to discuss, and/or design a funeral ceremony ahead of time.
Sometimes people who are terminally ill, or caring for someone who is terminally ill, choose this.
Other times people have no intention of departing any time soon, but like to have everything in place for the future!
Funeral plans taken out with funeral homes or online companies often record the basics, but rarely consider the full service content itself - which is the heart of the funeral! So it still leaves the chief mourner having to organise this.
It can put your mind at rest to know you've recorded your wishes, and more importantly, the stories you'd like to have told.
Perhaps you'd like me to draft a service running order, eulogy, or script for you - for either myself or someone else to deliver, when the time comes.
You may book by the hour for a chat to explore your options, or have me record your wishes in detail, which you can keep safe for later.
If you have taken out a funeral plan, it can be kept with it.
Useful Links
www.gov.uk/after-a-death/arrange-the-funeral
www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/
www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/arranging-a-funeral
www.naturaldeath.org.uk/index.php?page=natural-burial-grounds
www.homefuneralalliance.org/home-funeral-fact-sheet.html
funeralcelebrants.org.uk/
