| Funerals | | Print | |
![]() "Don't you just hate it when a funeral seems to be all God and Jesus and sod all about your good pal? The Humanist Society of Scotland provide people just for this purpose. Called celebrants, they'll whoop up the deceased's life, not mourn it. That's for me," writes Reg McKay in The Daily Record. Humanists accept death as part of the natural order and our funeral ceremonies celebrate the life of the person who has passed away. A humanist celebrant will spend time with the bereaved family gathering information on the life and personality of the deceased before writing a tribute to the life that was lived. This will be the centrepiece of the ceremony at which family and friends are invited and encouraged to read personal tributes or choose other readings and music. Humanist celebrants are aware that amongst those attending the funeral there may be people of faith and although prayers are not said, they will usually include a brief period when people can reflect or pray silently if they want to. From January 2010 our recommended fees are as follows: Standard ceremony £110.00 Extended ceremony £150.00 Under 16 and stillborn no charge Travel expenses £0.50 per mile NB: In case of hardship, the fee may be reduced or waived at the Celebrant’s discretion. Other extraordinary expenses (e.g. additional travel costs, ferry, overnight accommodation etc) to be agreed with client. All registered HSS Celebrants conduct funerals. To find one, please click here Funeral planning and wishes Documents to help you plan for your own funeral are available on the Funeral Wishes page. The Humanist Society of Scotland also publishes a leaflet To Celebrate a Life which explains more about our funeral ceremonies and is also available on the Funeral Wishes page. The Scottish Executive publish a very useful booklet: What to do after a death in Scotland…practical advice for times of bereavement. We also recommend the book Funerals Without God, which is also available from our celebrants. If you are a funeral director, please see our page Information for Funeral Directors. |
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News
Prompted by the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI, The Humanist Society of Scotland asks the Scottish people:
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“What do you believe in?”
For many years Scotland was predominantly religious, but the situation is changing. The 2001 census showed that 27% of the population did not believe in God. By the time of the Scottish Household survey in 2008, this had risen to 40%. If the trend continues – and from the rapid increase in the number of Humanist… -
News
Just as you may want to provide against the cost of your funeral, so you may also want some say in how it is conducted. When the time comes, it can be a great comfort to your nearest and dearest to know they have followed your wishes.
The HSS has created a new 'Funeral Wishes' document that can be downloaded here
In it you will find ideas about the nature and location of the ceremony to celebrate your…
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News
It was with great sadness that the Board of Trustees learned of the death of Sir Ludovic Kennedy, one of the Society's Distinguished Supporters.
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News
Margo MacDonald MSP is to deliver a keynote speech at the Humanist Society of Scotland’s annual conference on Saturday 7th November 2009.
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The MSP’s keynote speech will focus on her campaign to have an individual’s right to die with dignity enshrined in Scottish law through her proposed introduction of the End of Life Choices Bill in the Scottish Parliament over the coming months. -
News
The British Humanist Association (BHA) has echoed the Government’s response to a debate on the 4th November 2009 in the House of Lords on the BBC, Humanism, and Thought for the Day, saying that it ‘hopes the BBC has been listening’. The debate, called by Lord Harrison, and in which a number of peers declared their interest as ‘Happy Humanists’, took place on the eve of the BBC Trust’s deliberations on whether to allow non-religious contributors to the Today programme’s…
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Media Scan
Friends are believed to have helped Douglas Sinclair, 76, who had multiple system atrophy, travel to Switzerland to die. Naomi Phillips, head of public affairs at the British Humanist Association, said: "It is deeply saddening that people face the threat…
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Media Scan
A CAMPAIGN backing controversial plans for a change in the law to allow assisted suicide was launched by humanists today.
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MSPs are due to start taking evidence on independent Margo MacDonald's Member's Bill next week but the Humanist Society of… -
Media Scan
HSS Secretary John Bishop was joined by Mrs MacDonald at the launch of the Let Me Choose campaign in the Scottish Parliament. Mr Bishop said: "Most British people support physician-assisted suicide, as reports compiled since the mid-90s have shown. "Also,…
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Media Scan
A campaign backing controversial plans for a change in the law to allow assisted suicide has been launched by humanists. MSPs are due to start taking evidence on independent Margo MacDonald's Member's Bill next week but the Humanist Society of…
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Media Scan
A WOMAN suffering from Parkinson's Disease today spoke out in favour of Independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald's Bill to allow assisted dying. Julie Johnston, 69, who sees her condition steadily deteriorating, said she believed people in her position should have…
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Media Scan
Lord Patten also suggested that such an attempt to atone for the crimes of British clergy would take place behind closed doors for “obvious reasons”. In an exclusive interview with The Herald, he also said that he saw no need…
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