The Humanist Celebrant Podcast

What actually happens when the curtains close? In this episode I am behind the scenes at a Crematorium talking to a technician Steve Wilkinson about his work.

What happens to our human remains at the end of the day, what is it like to work in a place where, on a busy day, up to 17 cremations take place. What happens to hip joints, what coffin is best for the process and what must you absolutely not put in a coffin as a keepsake?

In this episode I am talking to Janeen Key from Obitus. Obitus are the UKs leading supplier of the technology in crematoria and funeral homes.

Janeen explains the process for choosing music, uploading photos and live streaming a ceremony using the Obitus system and we discuss the future for technology in the funeral sector.

Doug is a humanist celebrant based in Newark and conducts ceremonies in the East Midlands and London.  He's done lots of different jobs in his life including gravedigger, customs officer, accountant, actor and teacher of English and he's travelled widely in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  He's never believed in a god, but he doesn’t have a problem with people that do.  From 2016 to 2019 he combined celebrancy with being a “Faith Adviser” on the Lincoln University Chaplaincy team, working side by side with priests, imams and other religious leaders providing advice and guidance to students.

Here we talk about local cultural significance, Ashes based ceremonies and ...er... auditing.

Doug's Music Choice:

Ronnie Ronalde - In a Monastery garden

And his reading: Joyce Grenfell

If I should go before the rest of you

Email:  [email protected]

Phone:  07596 774153

In this episode I am joined by three UK based Humanist celebrants, Felicity Harvest, Douglas Duckworth and Roger Payne, and together we  offer some advice to anyone who has been asked to speak at the funeral of a friend, relative or colleague.

How to tackle difficult lives and difficult deaths, how to deliver a great Eulogy, what to expect in the crematorium, how to manage strong emotion and the whys and why nots of using display technology...we all know the phrase...death by powerpoint.

In this episode I am joined by three UK based Humanist celebrants, Felicity Harvest, Douglas Duckworth and Roger Payne, and together we  offer some advice to anyone who has been asked to speak at the funeral of a friend, relative or colleague.

How to tackle difficult lives and difficult deaths, how to approach preparing and writing a eulogy that is personal, memorable and thoughtful.

Music Choice:

Londonderry Air  Beatrice Hamilton with Nightingales

Reading: 

Our revels now are ended. These our actors,

Pat says she has been training indirectly for celebrancy since she was in my twenties. She was an actor for twelve years. She left the theatre in 1987 to make space for her writing. Since then she's had seven poetry collections published. Her fiction also appears in a number of anthologies and fiction magazines. She has worked as a writer in residence in a prison and various hospitals and runs writing workshops from time to time in schools and community centres. You can see some of the work she does if you click on her blog.

Phone     07857 273695

Email      [email protected]

With a background of marketing and communications that started in the hotel industry, Stephanie has over 15 years’ experience of creating, organising and hosting events, writing scripts and delivering speeches of all kinds. This has proved invaluable in designing and writing bespoke weddings, namings and funerals with all the couples and families she works with to create ceremonies just the way they want them.

Music Choice:

Phil Collins - You can't hurry love

Contact details:

[email protected]

07786 268446

@sbeeceremonies

facebook.com/silverbeeceremonies

Visit www.silverbeeceremonies.co.uk to find out more about my ceremonies

Music Choices:

Missa Luba by les troubadours du roi baudouin

Ian's Reading choice

Blessing for the Broken Hearted by Jan Richardson

Ian's Biography

Born in Zimbabwe and educated in Zambia and Scotland, I’ve been a radio producer for 30 years or so – working in most of Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and quite a lot of South East Asia.  I used to live with my wife on a Dutch Barge in London but now our children are grown we’ve been able to move to a small north Oxfordshire village with a big garden and a medium sized dog.

Although I encountered a form of Humanism early on in my schooling (it was promoted by Kenneth Kaunda, first president of Zambia), like many Humanist celebrants my major motivation came from attending too many disappointing ceremonies.  I like the way secular celebrations can’t hide behind liturgy and therefore reveal the real people involved.  And I am constantly fascinated and amazed at the inventiveness and creativity people put into their celebrations – even funerals.  Especially funerals.

My communications skills, won over many years in broadcasting, help me to understand what people want to achieve in their ceremonies and to find ways to create events that accurately reflect those desires.

Contact Details

[email protected]

Phil's Reading

The Dash by Linda Ellis

Phil's Music Choices

The Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd

Contact Phil:

[email protected]

Trevor's Choice for a reading:

The Life That I Have by Leo Marks

Trevor's choice for  music

Back in Black by ACDC

Trevor's Biography

Since being accredited as a Humanists UK celebrant in 2010 I have had the opportunity to work with all ages and personalities.  My own experience in being part of a large extended family, spanning the generations, has equipped me well to do that.

My original career as a lawyer has left me with an eye for detail, alongside the ability to see the bigger picture.  So you can be reassured that I will provide a safe guiding hand as you work to achieve your aims.

Alongside my commitment to family and community, for diversion I enjoy distance running (sometimes with Harvey the labrador), photography and cooking for others (helped down with some decent wine).

Although I live in Southwark and work mostly across central and south London and its bordering counties, I am happy to consider going further afield.  I am part of a local network of celebrants operating in the same area.  Between us we can ensure that a humanist celebrant is available whenever required.

Contact Trevor:

Trevor Moore