Historically, burials and memorial services are deeply steeped in religious traditions. These religious practices and traditions provide guidelines on memorialization, mourning, and grief.
However, religious funerals or memorial services may not be right for you and your family. There are plenty of legitimate reasons for choosing a non-religious funeral or memorial service. But, because it is a less-common option, you may be uncertain about where to start planning.
A funeral is a chance to celebrate someone’s life and to seek closure following the loss. People can opt for a non-religious funeral to honour the non-religious beliefs and last wishes of the loved one.
A family may have a mix of religious beliefs, and a secular service would avoid conflicts. Perhaps the dearly departed requested a vibrant last farewell, and wants a celebration rather than a religious service. There are plenty of reasons a non-religious service may be a good option for the family.
While some grieving families find comfort in understanding death and dying through religion, others might have no religious beliefs. While some people may be irreligious altogether, others will take their own path of spirituality and religiosity. These paths might not align with mainstream religious practices. Therefore, they wish to honour and commemorate their loved ones by using different means.
Non-religious funeral readings and traditions can be as powerful as religious prayers. It is still possible to find peace, understanding, and comfort in the wake of loss without using a specific religious practice or tradition. How does this kind of service differ from a religious funeral?.
It is more similar than you think. It is easier to replace a traditional religious practice with secular alternatives that are equally meaningful.
Sample Format of a Non-Religious Commemoration:
We Honour the life of _
Who died at the age of____________
Date of birth – Date of death
Gone but never forgotten
The “surname” family thanks you for gathering at “location” today.
Order of Service
Officiated by _
Opening words – [Officiant name]
Eulogy reading – [Family member’s name]
Poem reading – [Name of the poem and author]
Moment of silence
Family and friends remarks – [Names]
Song selection – [song name and title]
Closing words – [Officiant name]
Reception – [Date, time, and location]
The “surname” family would like to welcome guests to join us at [reception location] after the service to celebrate [Name’s] life. There will be food, drink, and happiness.
[Favourite poem or quote]
The family of the late [Name] would like to express their sincere appreciation for all of the messages, tributes, and expressions of kindness from friends and family and thank you for your continued care and support.
Download the Sample for a non-religious commemoration below for you to use