Humanist and Secular Funerals: Planning a Service Without Religion

For those without a religious tradition, or who simply want a service that doesn’t center religious belief, a humanist or secular funeral offers a way to mark a life meaningfully on entirely personal terms.

What makes a service “humanist” or “secular”?

These services focus on celebrating the person who died - their life, relationships, values, and impact - without religious ritual or the framing of an afterlife. The emphasis is on comfort, memory, and connection among the living, drawn entirely from the person’s actual life rather than from religious tradition.

Who leads a humanist funeral if there’s no religious officiant?

Many families work with a humanist celebrant - someone specifically trained to design and lead secular ceremonies, similar in role to clergy but without religious content. Others prefer a close family member, friend, or funeral director to lead instead. There’s no fixed requirement.

What typically replaces religious readings and prayers?

Because there’s no set liturgy, humanist and secular services are built around whatever reflects the person best:

• Personal stories and memories shared by family and friends
• Favorite poetry, literature, or music
• A eulogy focused on the person’s life, character, and impact
• Sometimes video, photos, or other multimedia elements
• Occasionally, a moment of quiet reflection in place of prayer

Is cremation or burial more common in secular funerals?

Humanist belief doesn’t dictate a preference between burial and cremation - the decision is entirely personal, often shaped by cost, environmental values, or family tradition. Some secular families are drawn to green burial options specifically because they reflect a naturalistic view of death.

Can a humanist funeral still include some religious elements?

Yes, if that reflects the family’s wishes - for example, an interfaith family might blend a humanist tone with select religious readings. The point of a humanist service is flexibility around the person’s actual values, not a rigid rule against any religious content. A good celebrant or officiant can help design something that fits the specific family rather than following a fixed template.

What should I tell my family?

If you’d like a service that reflects your actual life and values rather than religious tradition, it’s worth telling your family directly what matters to you - favorite music, people you’d want to speak, or the tone you’d want the day to have. Without a set liturgy to fall back on, your family will genuinely need this guidance from you.

Add this to your Final Day Plan: the music, readings, or people you’d want involved in your service, and whether you’d want a humanist celebrant or a family member leading - since there’s no fixed template here, your own wishes are what shapes the day.

For other personalized services, see Quaker and Unitarian Universalist memorial practices.

For choosing music and readings, see Funeral songs and readings: how to choose.

Practices vary by family and individual preference. Everendium provides general guidance to help you plan a service that reflects what matters most to you.