When a loved one dies it is a painful emotional and distressing time. Family and often close friends are left with the distressing decision of whether to have a burial or cremation, where will the ceremony be held and above all who will conduct the ceremony. It is an emotional and stressful time and we often forget what kind of funeral we really want.
Every family is different, some prefer a religious service, some follow cultural traditions and some prefer to go by the personal wishes of the deceased. Whilst the majority of people still prefer a religious ceremony, more people are going towards a more personal ceremony, which can be easily accommodated by a civil funeral service.
Civil ceremonies are created with the help of civil funeral celebrants, and personalised to the family and friends wishes.
A civil funeral ceremony is a dignified yet formal non-religious ceremony. The ceremony is appropriate to cremations as well as burials at a burial ground. It is a personal ceremony to reflect the private thoughts of the family and friends of the deceased.
Each civil funeral ceremony is completely unique to the deceased. The Eulogy, which can be delivered by the funeral celebrant or any of the family / friends, forms a major part of the ceremony and is created in partnership with the family.
A civil funeral ceremony can be held almost anywhere with the exception of a religious building or church.
A professional civil funeral celebrant conducts a civil funeral ceremony.
A civil funeral ceremony can be arranged by contacting your local Register Office. Please ring 0161 770 8960 or e-mail env.registrars@oldham.gov.uk.
A civil funeral celebrant will contact you to make the arrangements for a meeting.
When meeting the bereaved family, the celebrant will explain what’s involved and, with the help of the family and friends, create an individual ceremony, at which time it can be discussed whether they wish to have any favourite music or readings incorporated in the ceremony.
The celebrant will then create a ceremony, which reflects the wishes of the deceased and the bereaved family.
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