What happens at a humanist or non-religious funeral?
By Calla Editorial · Updated June 2026
A humanist or non-religious funeral celebrates a person's life without religious content. A celebrant works with the family to build a personal service — stories, music, and reflection — around the person.
A growing number of families choose a funeral with no religious framework — a humanist, secular, or “celebration of life” service. The focus shifts from doctrine to the person: who they were, what they loved, and the difference they made. There is no fixed form, which is precisely the point.
The role of the celebrant
A celebrant takes the place of a religious officiant. They meet with the family, gather stories and details, and write a service that fits the person. Humanist celebrants specialize in non-religious ceremonies grounded in the value of this life and the people in it.
What the service includes
A typical service weaves together a life story (a eulogy or tribute), readings — poems, passages, or song lyrics that mattered — music, and time for reflection. Family and friends are often invited to share memories. Some include a symbolic act such as lighting a candle or a moment of silence in place of prayer.
Burial, cremation, or a celebration after
A non-religious funeral works with any choice — burial or cremation, body present or a memorial held later. Many families pair a simple direct cremation with a relaxed celebration of life at a meaningful place and time, free of the constraints of a traditional service.
Planning a humanist funeral
- Find a celebrant whose style fits the family; ask to see how they build a service.
- Gather stories, music, photos, and readings that capture the person.
- Decide on burial or cremation independently — the ceremony adapts to either.
- Consider a celebration of life, held wherever and whenever suits the family.
These services are defined by personalization, so treat any description as a starting point — the family and celebrant shape it entirely.
Common questions
- What is a celebration of life?
- A celebration of life is a service that focuses on the joy and meaning of a person's life rather than mourning their death. It can be religious or secular, is often held after cremation, and tends to be informal and personal — stories, music, photos, and food. Many non-religious funerals take this form.
- Who leads a non-religious funeral?
- A celebrant — sometimes a humanist celebrant — usually leads. They meet the family, learn about the person, and write and deliver a personalized service. Unlike a religious officiant, a celebrant builds the ceremony entirely around the individual rather than a set liturgy, so no two are alike.
- Can a non-religious funeral still include a prayer or hymn?
- It can be whatever the family wants. A purely humanist ceremony avoids religious content, but many secular funerals include a favorite hymn, a moment of private reflection, or a reading that mattered to the person, even if the overall tone is non-religious. The service belongs to the family.
Sources
Reviewed and maintained by Calla Editorial. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. See our editorial standards.