It’s part of the privilege of being human that we have our moment when we have to say goodbye.
Patti Smith1
The end of life brings on deep reflection and grief, whether it nears or occurred. People deserve a service that matches the person as they lived, not as others wanted them to be. A humanist celebrant provides services to celebrate the life of the person, even when it comes to an end.
When you are ready to schedule a service, click on “Book Services” in the top menu2.
To read some examples of humanist funerals and memorials, please see the “Examples – Funerals/Memorials” page.
What is a humanist?
Simply put, a humanist is someone who celebrates and believes in humanity without the need to believe in supernatural or spiritual forces guiding us. For resources on the deeper dive into answering this question, see the FAQ on humanism.
What are the differences in “end of life”, funeral, and memorial services?
End of Life
This service is provided before a person dies. It is a time often full of reflection in the one passing, and even grief. Others around them may experience an early onset of grief, early from the expectation of death. For those not of specific religions, they do not seek absolution or last rites, but they may want to express final thoughts and resolve regrets. A humanist celebrant gives an ear for the one passing, and sometimes a voice when a life is too weak to speak.
Funeral
Funerals typically revolve around the laying to rest of that recently passed. Whether this is done via burial, cremation, or without remains, a humanist celebrant conducts this service in recognition of the departed’s identity and their life. A funeral service may involve several parts, such as a viewing, laying rest any remains, and a post-reception. As with end of life service, this is a time when a humanist celebrant lends an ear to the bereaved, whether they express grief or joy for the departed.
Memorial
Sometimes a memorial service occurs in conjunction with a funeral, and sometimes it occurs at a time well past the time of death. Memorials can be for one person or for many whose death occurred together or in a connected way. Like with funerals, the humanist celebrant conducts a service to celebrate the life of the departed.
What does a humanist celebrant not do for end of life, funerals, and memorials?
A humanist celebrant is neither a mortician nor a funeral home director. Celebrants do not provide spaces, containers, or services for processing and burying the deceased. However, a humanist celebrant will coordinate as needed with the appropriate professionals in order to conduct the funeral or memorial service. Unless additionally qualified, humanist celebrants are not counselors; one may lend an ear for those in need, but they will defer and refer to qualified specialists when needed.
End of Life Services3
Consultation
A free 30-minute initial consultation is available to discuss any initial questions regarding performing a funeral or memorial service. This consultation is not meant to replace of any part of the service planning outlined below; it exists for you to determine if you want Usagi-Warren Services to conduct your ceremony.
End of Life Service
Death does not adhere well with schedules; as such, Usagi-Warren Services does not schedule this offering; please call to discuss arrangements as soon as possible. There is no fee charged for this service; however, this service is not available for locations further than a one (1) hour drive.
Funerals and Memorials
A funeral or memorial often involves more than the ceremony itself; there’s plenty of background work put into even the shortest of ceremonies. Usagi-Warren Services, offers more than simply conducting the ceremony itself. The following are included (times provided are for reference and may vary):
- Introductory Meeting (1 hour)
- A time to gather much of the basic and logistical information
- Introduce the celebrant and those responsible for making the funeral or memorial arrangements
- Second Planning Meeting (1 hour)
- Begin composition of the ceremony components
- Outline the ceremony timeline
- Third Planning Meeting or Rehearsal (1 hour)
- This serves as the finalization of the plans for the ceremony
- Conducting the Ceremony (1 hour)
Planning Consultations
Sometimes a ceremony needs more than the usual planning time. You can schedule extra time with a celebrant as necessary to help plan the funeral or memorial service.
- Ross, Chloe. (2017, Apr. 11). Patti Smith describes feeling ‘like a 7yo’ as stage fright takes hold at Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize ceremony. ABC. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-12/patti-smith-talks-stagefright-at-bob-dylan-nobel-prize-ceremony/8434944 ↩︎
- Booking and payments for services are provided via Square (Block, Inc.). ↩︎
- Services provided account for no more than one (1) hour drive time to and one (1) hour drive time from where the service is conducted. Extra fees will apply for further drive time and accommodations as necessary. ↩︎