Humanist funerals in Northern Ireland
Humanist funerals in Northern Ireland are experiencing year-on-year growth as more families look towards non-religious celebrations of their loved one’s life. In this edition, we find out more about humanism and humanist ceremonies. What is a humanist funeral? A humanist funeral is a nonreligious ceremony which focuses on the person who
has died, the life they led, and the relationships they forged. The ceremony is conducted by a humanist celebrant and it is both a celebration of a life and a dignified, personal farewell. They are an ideal option for families wanting a sincere, personal reflection on the life of their loved one.
Trevor Molloy, Humanist Funeral Celebrant, North Down. Photo by Simple Tapestry. 20 | FuneralTimes
During a humanist funeral, there is time for silent reflection on the life of the deceased. This time is inclusive of people from all backgrounds. People with religious beliefs will often take this opportunity to say a silent prayer. What is humanism? Humanism is a ‘worldview’ that can apply to a range of views held by non-religious people who want to lead a good, ethical life. Put simply, humanists are people who shape their lives in the here and now, believing this life to be the only life we have. How popular are humanist funerals in Northern Ireland? 53% of the UK population now identify as ‘non-religious’, and while this figure is lower in Northern Ireland, the proportion of non-religious people is undeniably growing. In 2019, Humanist Ceremonies™ celebrants
