What is a civil funeral?

A civil funeral is one that is, “driven by the wishes, beliefs and values of the deceased and their family, not by the beliefs and ideology of the person conducting the funeral“ (The Institute of Civil Funerals).

Civil funerals are increasingly popular, for either a cremation or burial, with many people wanting a more personalised ceremony. To ensure the unique nature of the person is captured, a funeral celebrant carefully plans the ceremony with the individual’s family and friends, or with the individual themselves.

Whilst civil funerals are not a religious service, people can choose to include religious content, such as hymns, readings and prayers, as well as personal recollections, music, poetry, and any other elements that reflect the individual. The celebrant can conduct the ceremony in full, or can act as a co-ordinator, supporting family and friends to deliver the content themselves.

At a time which can be very distressing for individuals and families, creating a fitting and personalised funeral can be a significant comfort.