Sample Secular/Generic Funeral Ceremony:

    by Hilary Hudson

Here is a sample funeral plan for a secular funeral rite. This focuses on the life of the person. It is to honor that person and comfort those grieving.

Music (the calmer favorites of the person whose funeral it is) plays as guests arrive.

Welcome and Introduction:

Celebrant:            Good morning/afternoon. My name is ________________, the celebrant asked to conduct this ceremony today to mark the life of ________________ [full name of the person].

We are here to remember ______________ [name, as the person was known by family and friends] and to comfort _______________________ [list spouse/partner/special friend, living parents, brothers, sisters, children, grand children, great-grandchildren.]

In the presence of death we stand awkward and ill at ease

For death is a well known stranger

Who we recognise but do not want to know

But death is not a thing of itself,

It is a stage through which all must pass

It may come swiftly

And catch us unawares

Or slowly with leaden feet

But death comes to all who live

And in doing so heightens our understanding

Of the one we know

Readings:

Life Narrative:  

Reading:

Music:

Eulogies: (shared memories of the highlights of shared pleasure or trial)

Readings:

Committal:

Celebrant:            Please stand. ____________ [full name of person],

Your life we honour

Your departure we accept

Your memory we cherish

In grief in your death

but in gratitude for your life

and in the pleasure of sharing it with you

we commit your body to be buried/cremated:

Earth to earth,

dust to dust,

ashes to ashes.

Rest now at the end of your days

Your work is done