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...

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, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on,...

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...

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...

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] www.philwalder.com/ 07980 241225

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...

Jane Blackman – a multi award-winning Humanist Wedding, Funeral and Naming Celebrant living in West Sussex; creating and leading personalised, non-religious and Humanist ceremonies across Sussex, along the South Coast, regularly taking ceremonies in Hampshire, Surrey and Kent . Jane's Reading: Instructions by Arnold Compton Music Choices:  Another One Bites the Dust by Queen Higher and Higher by Jackie...

Felicity's Reading Choice As I grow old I Shall March not Shuffle - Brian Bilston Music Choice Sailing By by Ronald Binge Felicity's Biography: I started my working life as a theatre designer.  Then I went on to run several different organisations including a cinema and an environmental project. I worked in arts funding and development, finishing that part of my career as Regional Executive Director for the Arts Council here in the South East. Training as a humanist celebrant has meant...