Funerals have been a traditionally religious experience in many different cultures. Regardless of what the religion is, when someone passes away those religious beliefs play a big role in the funeral. If someone dies who isn’t religious, it’s important to honor those beliefs they had while they were alive. It would be unfair to hold a funeral with religious affiliations when that’s not what the deceased believed in themselves. If you need to plan a non-religious funeral, it can be hard to know where to start.

A funeral celebrant is a type of officiant that will lead the funeral service. Find a celebrant that has experience with non-religious funerals. They can assist in the planning process and give you an idea of what to expect during the funeral. A funeral celebrant will want to know as much as they can about the deceased to make the ceremony as personalized as possible. 

Religious funerals tend to focus on the afterlife and what’s happening to the deceased now that they’ve passed. When someone doesn’t have those beliefs, it’s more fitting to use the funeral as a way to reflect on the deceased and the great life that they lived. Put photos or mementos from some of the best moments in their life on display during the service. Invite family and friends to share their favorite stories with the deceased. The more you celebrate the life that they lived, the more personalized the service will be. Non-religious deaths don’t have a focus on the afterlife, so use every moment you can to celebrate the life they had while they were still alive.

It’s common for funerals to be held in a church, but that wouldn’t make sense for someone who didn’t go to church when they were alive. Find a non-religious venue to host the funeral instead. A community center, hotel ball room, the funeral home chapel, and even a family members home are all acceptable venues. Choose somewhere with sentimental value if you can. If it will be held in a generic community center or other entertaining space, bring plenty of photos and other items to personalize the space. 

Planning a funeral is never easy. If you need assistance from an experienced funeral director in the Boston area, contact Hamel-Lydon Chapel today to schedule an appointment. Our team has years of experience and respects the wishes of each family, rather they’re religious or non-religious. Hiring a funeral director will take the load off of you and give you the time you need to properly grieve your loved one. Let us help you plan a heartwarming memorial service that perfectly represents the deceased.