Ceremonies

The public expression and sharing of grief are widely considered an important part of recovery after the death of someone close, and the opportunity for this shared grieving is provided by the various world religions according to their own rites. But it can be distressing and even distasteful for those present if a religious service is held for someone who had no religious belief. While it is possible to instruct a funeral director to organise a completely private cremation, this will give none of the mutual support that a ceremony can provide. So the various Humanist and secularist organisations have been in demand to help with non-religious ceremonies for well over a century, either by providing an officiant or by giving advice and help to families and friends who wish to carry out such a ceremony themselves. We use the word 'ceremony' rather than 'service', as we see it as an occasion to celebrate a human life that has ended and to provide mutual support