Simone Lee Funeral Celebrant
Hi, my name is Simone Lee
There are many different ways to hold a funeral, say goodbye to a loved one, or celebrate a life.
These days, we are often no longer satisfied with blindly following tradition because ‘it is the done thing’. In today’s world we want to have choices, we want to be in charge of our own destiny and sometimes even break the rule book.
Death is no longer the taboo subject it once was and although it may still feel uncomfortable, we accept that it is ok to talk about death, make plans for it, and that includes what the final farewell should look like. There are several options on what you can do. How to do it? Well, the world is your oyster – there are as many ways as there are ideas.
Whether your choice for a funeral follows tradition, or you want to celebrate a life in your own personal style, a celebrant will listen to your ideas and create a ceremony you can feel proud of.
What choices do I have when I am arranging a funeral?
Burials
Hi, my name is Simone Lee
Graveyard / Churchyard burial
These are linked to a church and the deceased would usually have lived in that parish, or would have gained special permission from the minister of the parish. It is worth bearing in mind that spaces can be limited, and for that reason, plots are often booked years in advance.
Private land
Did you know that it is legal to have a burial on your own property, or on private land? This does come with some legal conditions, so it is highly recommended that you get some good advice before you decide that this the right choice for you.
Cemetery burial
The difference between a graveyard and a cemetery is that a cemetery is not linked to a church. It is a spot of land specifically dedicated to burials. Most of the time cemeteries are not connected to one specific religion. This will give you the freedom to hold the kind of ceremony you would like, a ceremony that fits in with your wishes.
Natural burial site
The idea of having a natural burial appeals to more and more people for a number of different reasons. It can be because it is more ecologically/environmentally friendly, or because being one with nature appeals to them, or simply because it can be a lovely quiet spot for family to come and visit. These sites can be set in forests, meadows or fields. More and more locations are now licensed to hold natural burials.
The focus of a natural burial is to return the body to the earth in the most natural way
possible. Coffins tend to be made of natural materials that are easily biodegradable, such as wicker. It is also possible to use a shroud instead of a coffin.
The main difference with other cemeteries and graveyards is that there are no markers, such as headstones. The gravesite will eventually become one with the earth and will then no longer be visible.
Direct Cremation
If the choice has been made to choose a ‘direct cremation’ that means that once the body has been taken away by the undertaker you will no longer be able to see them. This may also mean that you cannot visit them at the funeral home. The Funeral Director will take care of the cremation process for you and let you know when this is to take place, but there will be no service prior to the cremation. If you would like the ashes to be returned to you the Funeral Director can arrange this for you.
Of course, a ceremony can be held at a later date. For example, when the ashes are interred. This will often take the shape of a ‘celebration of life’ ceremony.
Now I have given you some insight in what you can do, pop over to my ‘ideas and inspiration’ page for some suggestions on how to create that perfect ceremony.