Community directory

Civil funerals

In the middle of 2002 the Hertfordshire Registration Service carried out a survey to assess the potential level of interest in Civil Funerals. Over 300 responses were received from people who had recently been involved in registering a death.

Of these 40% indicated that they would like to have had the option of a Civil Funeral. Quite a lot of the responses indicating no interest in a Civil Funeral carried comments supporting the option being available for those who did want it.

Hertfordshire Registration Service has now been providing Civil Funerals for more than four years and is finding a steadily growing demand.

The answers to some of the most frequently answered questions about Civil Funerals are set out below.

What is a Civil Funeral?

It is a non-religious ceremony that celebrates the life of the deceased. It aims to be a dignified tribute and highly personal memoir created by a professional Celebrant in consultation with the family or the executor and taking into account any known wishes of the deceased

Where can a Civil Funeral be held?

Almost anywhere that you wish except in a church or other religious building. The ceremony is appropriate for either a cremation or a burial at any non-religious burial ground.

Who conducts a Civil Funeral?

In Hertfordshire the person conducting the ceremony will be a specially trained professional Celebrant who is a Registrar and a member of the Hertfordshire Registration Service. However it is important to state that when they conduct a Civil Funeral they are not acting in their statutory capacity as a Registrar.

How is a Civil Funeral Ceremony created?

The form and content of the ceremony will develop from discussions between the Celebrant and the family. The Celebrant will arrange a meeting either at your home or in the Register Office. All the options available will be discussed and explained and you will be asked to provide as much information as possible about the deceased. There is a wide selection of readings and you can opt to include additional pieces with a special significance for the deceased. Specially selected music too can play an important role. Family members and friends can undertake readings or contribute in other ways. The Celebrant will help you decide how your choices should be arranged and presented.

What is eventually created should be a ceremony that is unique to the deceased, a tribute to and a celebration of their life designed and conducted to reflect your express wishes and those of your loved one.

Celebrants always deliver the ceremony from a script. Families can request that a copy be sent to them after the ceremony.

How can I arrange a Civil Funeral and what will be the cost?

Please telephone Registration Administration on 01707 288450 or 288455. If you wish, your Funeral Director will make the call for you. Alternatively e-mail details of your request to registrars.admin@hertscc.gov.uk

There is a fixed charge for a Civil Funeral Ceremony; this is currently £175. Most Funeral Directors will include this fee in their invoice and then pay the Registration Service.

Civil Funeral Statistics

Civil funerals have increased over the past 12 months and below are the statistics for this year.