I was brought up in a non-religious household but both my mother and father
had a vicar officiating at their funeral. I knew of no other way. When my 4½
month old son,
Merrick,
died, he too had a religious funeral. I felt that that
can't be right - the final hypocrisies. I was detemined to do something about it,
so I joined the
British Humanist Association.
Some
of their members conducted funerals but on a very ad hoc basis. When we
formed
Cornwall Humanists
one of
our priorities was to provide non-religious funerals for those who wanted them.
We invited a couple of experienced officiants to come and show us how, and we
visited
Penmount Crematorium
to have a look behind the scenes. At that stage I didn't
see a role for me as an officiant but I just sort of got drawn in. I conducted my
first funeral in 1992. It is now a major part of my life and to be able to help people
through a traumatic stage in their lives gives me great satisfaction.
It's a short (sideways) step to wedding and baby naming ceremonies. Much more
joyous occassions - and much longer in the planning.
The advantage of a Humanist ceremony - with the officiants help, you
choose the words, you choose the music. (often live) Friends and relations can
participate with readings, poems or music. At a wedding you choose the
commitment you make to one another, you can swap rings, 'broken tokens', or
light candles, as you can at baby namings. You can plant a tree - or two, or
a shrub. You get a certificate that can be signed by you, the witnesses or the
guardians/mentors, or what ever you like to call the equivalent of God parents.
After the event you get a copy of the script.
Cornwall Joint Crematorium Committee
(Penmount Crematorium) hold an
Annual Service of
Remembrance.
We felt that we could represent the many non-religious who are cremated there.
After approaching
the authorities, in the year 2000, we were invited to make a contribution and we have done each year since.
For further
information see;
Secular Ceremonies in Cornwall.
or contact me