Just back from humanist funeral

We definitely didn’t want god involved in my mums funeral, so we didn’t invite him. He wasn’t around for her in the last years of her life so we didn’t think he would have the time to be at her funeral either .

I have been to several humanist funerals. All very moving except for one which was not well conducted and rather awkward. I think that was partly due to the family wanting as little fuss as possible and partly the fault of a not-very-good celebrant.

The celebrants are usually from the British Humanist Association and the others I've seen have been wonderful, particularly one who conducted the funeral of a young man who had taken his own life - such a daunting task, but she was amazing, emphasizing many positive aspects of his life.

Of course religious funerals are often moving, especially when they are celebrating the life of someone who had a good long life, but sometimes they can seem to be all about God and not much about the late departed.

WE had humanist celebrants for both my parents' funerals.

The one who took my Mum's was a bit of a twit really and I was disappointed in it - we took him on trust from a recommendation. He was an ex-vicar and found it hard to enter into the spirit of a humanist funeral.

Forewarned, I was very careful about the choice of celebrant for my father's funeral. I looked up a celebrant on the Humanist Society's website and talked to several on the phone before making my choice. She was quite simply perfect - respectful, thoughtful, kind and intelligent, she produced a ceremony that we all felt was a fitting tribute to Dad.

My mum had a humanist funeral . It was, as you say katek a joyous celebration of her life. Very personal, with stories both funny and sad too. The celebrant took his time to “get to know” my mum through us, her family and I have to say he got her just right . We played her favourite songs in between. No prayers though .

I've been to one. I didn't know it was humanist at the beginning as it was held in a church and I had not been forewarned but I thought it was lovely, so much nicer than the gloomy traditional ones. I'm going to write in my will that I want a humanist funeral.

We had one for my Mums funeral 10 years ago, a nice option if you're not religious.

It was just right for my friend as well....I felt really happy to have known them not so much sad because they’ve gone.

I've been to two Katek. The families of both of DH's sisters chose to have humanist funerals for them and as you say, they were the most uplifting and happy celebrations of life I've ever experienced. Just right for my lovely sisters in law.

I have, not long ago. I was very confused when they had the Lord's prayer... I thought humanists don't have "religion". Apart from that, it was an interesting experience.