What is a civil funeral?
I’m a civil Celebrant, and a member of the Institute of Civil Funerals. I have a NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy.
The following is the definition of a civil funeral explained from the IoCF: A civil funeral is one that is 'driven by the wishes, beliefs and values of the deceased and their family, not by the beliefs and ideology of the person conducting the funeral'.
That means you and your loved one can have anything in the ceremony that makes it completely unique and personal. The civil celebrant may advise and suggest but they do not have expectations about the way the ceremony will be.
The ceremony is created using whatever feels right for you and may include:
Tributes.
music.
readings.
symbolic acts of remembrance.
It is your choice whether to have prayers and hymns or none.
You can have a civil funeral ceremony for either a cremation or a burial. To make it completely personal, you can choose from any suitable location, not just a chapel or cemetery.
When you choose to have a civil funeral, you ensure that this final life event focuses entirely on your loved one with a style and tone appropriate to them.
