Where can I hold a Civil Ceremony?

You can hold a Civil Ceremony anywhere you like. In fact you can conduct a funeral anywhere you wish, even in your own home,  it is entirely your choice. It is worth bearing a few factors in mind however. Firstly, it is useful to have a location that is easy to get to, can contain the number of people that may attend and will offer the facilities you desire such as video or sound facilities. It is also worth considering that the more used a location is to holding funerals, the simpler and smoother the ceremony is likely to run. You may also want to think about filming it or streaming the funeral via the internet to people who are unable to attend in other countries perhaps? Most crematoriums are familiar with such requests.

Can I include prayers or hymns in a Civil Ceremony?

While the ceremony is not a religious one, you can include  religious readings, prayers or hymns in a Civil Ceremony. This is not the case if you wish to hold a Humanist Ceremony. A Civil Ceremony is a very personal event and if there is any content of a religious nature that you feel is  important to include, you are welcome to do so. 

What's the difference between a Civil Ceremony and a Humanist Funeral?

A Humanist Funeral is one with absolutely no reference to religion in it whatsoever, whereas a Civil Ceremony may contain religious prayers or hymns if you so wish. Humanists believe in human welfare, happiness and fulfillment, and see the power in human values as opposed to divine or supernatural powers. So while a Humanist will celebrate humanity and its purpose, a Civil Ceremony is unlikely to focus on anything other than the life of the deceased.

Do I have to use a Funeral Director?

No you don't have to use a Funeral Director, but they are used to the processes and procedures. These include preparing the body, obtaining the right certificates and liaising with the crematorium or graveyard that you are panning to use. Funeral directors vary in their approach and some are very flexible and keen to ensure the ceremony suits exactly what you want, while others are more traditional. It's worth asking around. I have included some useful links here. There are several useful websites that can tell you more, such as The Good Funeral Guide.

Can I play a personal recording during the Ceremony?

Yes , so long as it is submitted at least 48 hours in advance. If you choose a crematorium which uses one of the digital systems such as Wesley, then they can take your recording and clean it up before adding it to the playlist. 

Should I use a qualified Civil Celebrant?

 A qualified civil celebrant has not only studied the funeral process but understands the emotions involved as well. It's very likely that they have been involved in the funerals of people very close to them - and is often one of the reasons they chose to become a celebrant. Not only have they studied the process but they have had to submit coursework and pass exams in the subject as well. Look for the initials IoCF after their name. It means not only are they accredited but they are also a Member of the Institute of Funeral Celebrants.

What's the difference between a Funeral and a Memorial? 

A funeral is a farewell ceremony at which the person who has died is present. A memorial service is a commemorative event at which the person who has died is not present.  A Memorial is  held sometime after the funeral, very often for people who were eminent in their field. It can be a real source of comfort in the time after the funeral and allows colleagues and associates, or those who were affected by or knew of the achievements of the deceased, to pay their respects. It allows for a greater range of people to speak at the event, and can be held somewhere that may have been important to deceased. Memorials are normally held some 3-5 weeks after the funeral  as it is vital to allow time for planning, however they can be several months later in the case of very well known people.