After officiating the funeral of a dear Irish friend, I realized just how important it is to break the taboos around death, supporting grief with respect, compassion, and understanding.

Most people want to mark important moments in their lives – like births, weddings, and partnerships – and honour loved ones when they pass. Throughout history, rituals have served this purpose in human societies.

But the centuries-long control of rituals by churches presents a challenge for those who aren’t religious, and their families, the need for a meaningful ceremony still exists. People without religious beliefs also want to celebrate life’s milestones, but they want to do it in a way that feels true to them – with warmth, care, and words and music that fit the people and lives being honoured, all while avoiding if desired, references to sacred texts or religions

Each secular ceremony is one of a kind, designed specifically for the occasion and the people involved. It’s grounded in shared human values, without the obligation for religious references. There are no strict rules or formalities to follow, and aside from legal requirements, there’s nothing that must be done a certain way.