Tonight, on Coronation Street, Hayley Cropper’s humanist funeral will be screened to millions of viewers. For many people watching, it will be the first time they have witnessed a humanist ceremony. As a humanist celebrant, my hope is that this will raise the general public’s awareness so that people realize there is a meaningful alternative to holding a traditional religious service. More importantly, they have a choice as to how they say goodbye to a loved one.

I have been conducting humanist ceremonies in Cumbria for the last 7 years and I am delighted that Coronation Street writers have chosen to showcase this kind of ceremony. Hayley was a much-loved character and a humanist funeral is perfect for her, as it not only reflects her individuality but also her strong values. Just as importantly, her screen family and friends will be able to say their goodbyes in a personal and meaningful way, knowing it is what she would have wanted.

What is a humanist funeral and is it appropriate for you or a loved one?

A Humanist Funeral is appropriate for anyone who wants a non-religious ceremony. There is no set format you have to follow and a ceremony can be personalised with tributes, readings and music, with family and friends being welcome to contribute as much or as little as they wish.

The only guideline that does exist is that they don’t contain any religious content such as hymns or prayers, but you can include a moment of quiet reflection to enable mourners to have a silent prayer.

What is special about humanist funerals is that they are all unique. Each one is written to reflect the individuality of the person who has died and to celebrate the life they have lived. A humanist celebrant will usually spend a couple of hours with family and friends to help them create a personal ceremony. This can include writing the tribute or eulogy.

Choosing a Humanist Celebrant

Although there has been a huge rise in the number of humanist funerals over the last few years, only a small proportion of these have been conducted by trained humanist celebrants, with many funeral directors choosing to use independent celebrants or retired clergy. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has a national network of celebrants who have undergone a rigorous selection and training programme. By requesting a humanist celebrant accredited with the BHA, you ensure that the quality of service you receive is of the highest standard.

For more information on humanist ceremonies please look at my website: www.inspirationalceremonies.co.uk

Or the HumanistsUK website