"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 2008 our recommended fees are as follows:

Standard ceremony  £100.00
Extended ceremony £150.00
Under 16 and stillborn no charge
Travel expenses £0.50 per mile

 

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

For further information, see our leaflet To Celebrate a Life.

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.