If you want to stage an event that will reflect the joy of a recently deceased loved one's life, then there are plenty of services that will fit the bill. Nevertheless, it can be a bit trickier to do so in a non-religious way if the person concerned was a non-believer during their life. In some cases, a departed family member will stipulate in their will that they would like a non-religious ceremony after their death but leave few plans as to how to go about this.
Fortunately, good funeral directors are becoming increasingly used to providing this sort of service to clients. What factors should you consider before planning a non-religious service?
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Location
Places where funeral services can be held usually have some religious association or other, but non-denominational chapels are usually a good choice for holding a memorial without any religious symbolism. If you want to choose your own location, such as in your home or garden, then discuss the finer details with the funeral directors before proceeding. Remember that state authorities need to be informed of a death before you can proceed.
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Musical Tributes
Music makes up an important part of many of our lives and rather than opting for hymns, you might prefer to choose a playlist which reflects the deceased person's musical tastes. Most funeral venues have audio playback systems which will accept an MP3 player or CD. However, hiring a live performer to play a favourite tune can make for a more touching and personal rendition.
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Readings
As well as saying something about the life of the departed, readings make up an important part of non-religious memorials just as they do with religious ones. Finding something suitable that has no devotional element is not easy, but many humanist organisations around the world have online resources you can read beforehand to find an appropriate text. In many cases, a well-chosen poem hits the right balance between being solemn and joyful.
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Photographic Presentations
Celebrating the life of a loved-one can be enhanced if you produce a wall display of photos from their life. Ask people who knew the deceased to send you them prior to the service so that you can mount them in a frame or a presentation book. The more people who contribute, then the better the presentation will be because you ideally want to reflect the multi-faceted nature of the deceased's life. Some people choose to scan photos and burn them to a DVD that can then be displayed as a slideshow for all to see, which will give the service a modern twist.
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