what is a civil funeral?

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'. 

 This concept originated with The Institute of Civil Funerals  as it was the  first celebrant organisation to be formed in the UK.  It was defined for the IOCF by Professor Tony Walter, Centre Director of the Centre for Death and Society at Bath University. 

This means that 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 should proceed.

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 - this can be discussed with your funeral director or chosen civil celebrant.

When you choose to have a civil funeral you can be certain that this final life event focuses entirely on your loved one with a style and tone appropriate to them.

©️ The Institute of Civil Funerals, 2024