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. See also:
Humanist Ceremonies
(external link)
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. 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.
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.
Contact Bereavement Services