When a loved one dies family and close friends are often faced with many choices and decisions about the funeral arrangements. With such a wide range of choices, at an emotionally distressing time, it is often easy to forget the one question that is, perhaps, the most important - what kind of funeral do you really want.

A civil funeral ceremony is a dignified yet formal non-religious ceremony.

The ceremony is designed to meet the needs and wishes of each individual family to create a unique and meaningful ceremony.

The ceremony is a celebration reflecting the wishes of the deceased and their family. It is a personal and dignified tribute created by a professional Ceremony Director who works closely with the family, or executor, and
the funeral director.

Civil Funeral Ceremony Directors will all have undertaken an intensive training course and have been assessed in many areas, including tribute
writing skills, delivery of Ceremonies and the personal qualities that make them suitable to fulfil such an important role.

The Ceremony Director will aim to create a highly personal ceremony with the help of family and/or friends recounting the deceased's experiences, attributes and qualities. The ceremony can include music, poetry, readings and personal anecdotes.

A Civil Funeral can be arranged by contacting the Ceremonies Officer for the area where the ceremony will be held.

If you wish, a friend, family member or your funeral director may contact the officer on your behalf.

A Ceremony Director will contact you as soon as possible to discuss the Ceremony arrangements, and options, with you. You will be asked to provide information about the deceased so that the Ceremony Director can write a personal tribute that captures the essence of your loved one.

The fee for a civil funeral as of 1^st April 2008 is £100.

A typical Civil Funeral Cermony takes the following format: