Funeral - Civil

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 or "secular" ceremonies are created with the help of civil funeral celebrants, and personalised to the family and friends wishes.

What is a civil funeral ceremony?

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.

Where can a civil funeral ceremony be held?

A civil funeral ceremony can be held almost anywhere with the exception of a religious building or church. 

How to arrange a civil funeral ceremony

Contact Bereavement Service to discuss your options.  You may wish to conduct the service yourself or have the Carlisle City Council Bereavement Services Manager or Assistant Manager conduct it.  If you have decided to arrange the ceremony yourself, you will need to consider what if any music you require. The service itself may be made up of anecdotes, poems or phrases from a favourite book. A moment of silence can be incorporated for those present to remember the deceased and to pay tribute in their own personal way, perhaps with a silent prayer. Remember also that when talking about the life of the deceased use their full name(s), and other name(s) by which they may have been known by others.

• Outline of a Civil/Secular Service

In the case of cremation, where the ceremony is to take place in the crematorium chapel you will need to decide in advance if the coffin is to be carried into the chapel ahead of the mourners or after they have been seated. You may also choose whether or not the curtains around the coffin close or remain open following the committal. However you decide the ceremony should be conducted, you can ask for the help and advice from any of the Bereavement Services staff beforehand.

In the case of a burial, you may wish to hold the ceremony at home, in a civic building or in the burial chapels in Carlisle and Stanwix cemeteries. At the graveside, it is best to keep the committal reasonably brief for the mourners but if a full graveside service is required that this is quite in order.