GM - Funeral Civil Ceremonies

Graham
MacLauren
An Independent
Celebrant

Conducts
Personal & Bespoke

Civil Funerals

Phone: 07766 767519
Email: [email protected]

During times of bereavement, you need to have experienced people
help you through the funeral process.

As a Civil Funeral Celebrant, Graham offers a sensitive, caring and an What Is A Civil Funeral?
understanding of what arranging a funeral for a loved one entails.
Civil Funerals emerged in
A Civil Ceremony created to your wishes will allow you to capture Australia in 1973.
moments that you cherished and share with others on the day of the
funeral. ”Funerals should always
be

according to people’s
wishes,

needs and wants”

The “father” of Civil Funeral, Dally
Messenger III

Can I have a Civil Ceremony Times are changing
In the past people would not leave a Funeral
for my Loved One? service saying “that was a great service” or

A Civil Funeral Ceremony is for anyone who wishes to be “I really enjoyed that service”
involved in the funeral service of their loved one Times are really changing and it’s all about
People who are non-religious, semi-religious The needs of the family, their wishes and
A Bespoke Funeral Service which may be a little different
Members of the family who may wish to be involved in the beliefs being respected.
actual funeral service.

Different to Humanist services

Civil Funerals are different to Humanist Funerals.
Humanists are atheists and cannot offer comfort
about meeting our loved ones again or even play

Robbie Williams “Angels”
The beauty of Civil Ceremony Funeral is that you can be

religious, semi religious or non religious.

How do I arrange a Civil Funeral Ceremony?

An initial discussion and visit where possible to find out what you and your family are looking for.
Graham will produce a service in accordance with your wishes and beliefs.

Suggested readings, poetry, music, reflections or any other ideas that are relevant, will be
offered or we can select from your own specific ideas if there is a significant relevance to your
family.

At the ceremony

Graham will deliver a eulogy reflecting your loved one’s personal memories, family and friends’
stories and anecdotes. However, if a friend or member of the family, would like to deliver the
eulogy and say a few words, this can be accommodated.

Bespoke Civil Ceremonies ensure that the Funeral Ceremony you choose for your loved one is
created as you wish, allowing you and your family to participate in the service as much or as
little as they would like.

Civil Ceremonies can be held for loved ones of all ages

The passing of any young person is truly devastating, and changes lives forever. No parent expects to out live
their children. Special attention and poems are created in times of need for every bereavement such as the
loss of babies and young children, death by suicide, accidental or medical reasons.

Music

If you let Graham know what your chosen music is he can arrange for it to be provided with suitable
amplification (if not available at the service venue) or for the graveside

If there is something you do not want in the ceremony

For example, you do not want the curtain at the Crematorium left open or closed
Or don’t want a ” line up” for the family at the end of the service this can be arranged on your behalf.

” I thought you had known my dad for years. You knew so much and included so many things that
made us laugh because my dad was so funny. Thank you so much for the service”
Gill

“Thank you from all of us for taking Mum’s funeral. You’d never know you weren’t family and
you found out so much from friends we didn’t know! Thankyou”
Andrew

How Your Loved One’s
Civil Funeral Ceremony

may flow

• Opening Music – music of your choice or an organist
• Opening words of welcome
• Prayer (optional)
• Reading of a poem (optional)
• Singing of a hymn (optional)Main tribute/eulogy
• Option of additional tributes from family and friends
• Moment of quiet reflection – sometimes with music
• Closing of the curtain/lowering of the coffin
• Closing word of thanksgiving
• Closing prayer (optional)
• Closing music

A Civil Ceremony Funeral
is one of the most meaningful ceremonies you can arrange

Your Loved One Receives
Your Wishes & Your Beliefs in Their Ceremony

Standards of excellence

• A telephone call on the day notified by the Funeral Director of your loved one’s passing to arrange a family meeting.
• A home visit, date to suit, will normally be arranged 24-48 hours after receiving notification of your loss, where you

can share life stories and events and talk about the service you are looking for.
• Other family members who are not at the initial home meeting will be contacted either by telephone, e-mail or

video call should you wish their input to form part of the tribute.
• Within 48 hours your stories and memories will be crafted into a uniquely written service that combines honour,

dignity, respect humour and sensitivity.
• The draft version of the ceremony will be emailed to you to give you time to amend.
• You will be contacted before the funeral date to confirm details for your loved ones service.
• On the day of the Funeral, the service will be delivered, with your content, in a way that will touch your heart.
• Music will be supplied as previously discussed, if required.
• A Memorial copy of the eulogy will be given to you on the day and can be emailed to any other family members

if they wish to have a copy.
• A memorial card will be sent to you to remind you that your loved one will not be forgotten.

A funeral ceremony is the last public event involving your loved one, and will be delivered
professionally and in a memorable fashion

Funeral Poems

There are hundreds of poems available, here are a few, however you may not like any,
that is fine alternatives can be sourced, you may have a favourite or you found one on
“Google” or you may decide not to use a poem.

Example 1 Example 2

I miss you in the morning It was a very sad day when I went upstairs
I even miss your touch at night All it was was an answered prayer
I miss giving you a cuddle Or move and giving you a fright Well the prayer worked and the pains all gone
I miss talking to you daily Until you fall asleep I’m in the stars with my light turned on
I just can’t wait to see you The pains all gone and I’m looking great, I was really in a state
When we finally get to meet You know I’m with you darling, Each and every step
I think about you always, Every day and every night
I laugh when you can tell me Shut up you know I’m right When you walk to the shop, I just say ok
You are my inspiration, You are my number one, Now I’ve finally said it all I love the walks we take to the shop and back
My talking rubbish is done My hairs a mess and needing set
My sun and then my moon, My love for you has just begun But I really don’t regret
I’m so glad life goes on because and I know you won’t forget

Just to have you in my life, Meant we’d both connect
Even now I want to kiss you on the cheek or lips
I love you more than you’ll ever know and I’ll never say goodbye
So dry your eyes and just watch out, Because I tell you I’ve survived

Funeral Poems Example 5

Example 3 Mum……. If I could have only one more day
I’d pick up the phone to say
I’d like to leave an after glow of smiles when life is done Thank you and I (we) love you unconditionally
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways I’d (we’d) thank you so much for helping me (us) if only
Of happy times and laughing times with bright and sunny days If only for one more day
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun I (we) pray you’re safe and well
It’s the memories I leave you my friends, when my life is done but most of all that you’re pain free
A million times, I’ve needed you, a million times I’ve cried And met all your friends upstairs even family,
If love alone could save you, you never would have died. I (we) pray you’ve heard every word that’s been said
Love the life you have now I (we) know that you’re not dead

Example 4 Example 6

In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still My father kept a garden, a garden of the heart
For in my heart you filled a place, no-one ever will He painted all the good things there that gave me my life’s start
It broke my heart to lose you, but you did not go alone He turned me into sunshine and encouraged me to dream
For part of me went with you, the day God took you home Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem
And when the winds and rain came he protected me enough
But not too much because he knew I’d need to stand up strong and tough
His constant good example taught me right from wrong
Markers of a pathway that will last me a lifetime long
I am my father’s garden, I am his legacy
And I hope today he feels the love reflected back from me

Funerals Graham MacLauren
An Independent Celebrant

Conducts Personal
Bespoke

Civil Ceremonies

Traditional or Un-traditional
Intimate or Large

Please contact us for further
information and date availability

Phone: 07766 767519
Email: [email protected]