Humanist & Non-Religious Funerals

A service shaped by life, not ritual.

If a faith-based ceremony isn't right for you or your loved one, we can help you to arrange a non-religious or Humanist funeral that speaks to who your loved one truly was - with or without any religious elements.

A ceremony for personal values

Civil ceremonies

A non-religious funeral can be led by a civil or secular celebrant who builds a service around memories, reflections, and personal values - regardless of faith. They’re skilled at including music, readings, or meaningful rituals, without assuming any belief system. 

A civil celebrant is not a minister of religion, but they are happy to include some elements such as hymns, Bible readings or prayers if that’s what you’d like. 

They’re self-employed, so their fees can vary; we’ll check the exact amount with the celebrant beforehand and let you know how much it is. 

Humanist ceremonies

Humanist funerals are a form of non-religious farewell rooted in humanist philosophy – avoiding religious content entirely. If this resonates with you, we can connect you with a certified Humanist celebrant to craft a fitting tribute, or you can choose someone yourself.

Humanist celebrants recognise that there are aspects of religious reference embedded in our culture and day-to-day experiences, and are happy to include some of this content where it helps to reflect the person, but not as an act of worship. 

Because Humanist celebrants are self-employed and their fees can vary, we’ll check the exact fee with the celebrant beforehand and let you know how much it is.  We’re here to explain everything clearly and ensure that everything aligns with your wishes. 

Whatever you choose, we will support you by:

  • Listening to your story - understanding what tone and structure feels right.
  • Helping you to identify the type of celebrant that matches your needs - religious, secular, or Humanist - and we'll put you in touch with someone.
  • Managing all practical details: venue, order of service, music, and timings.
  • Crafting a ceremony that feels personal, authentic, and true to your loved one.

How to get started

Contact us in your own time - call, email, or visit one of our branches. Let us know what type of service feels meaningful to you, and we will guide you through the options, from celebrant selection to ceremony details.

News & guides

A step-by-step guide to planning a funeral
Planning a funeral is one of the most meaningful and emotional responsibilities a person can undertake. During a period of grief, it can be difficult to think clearly and make decisions. That’s why having a structured guide is invaluable — it helps you navigate the process with clarity and peace of mind, while honouring the […]
Learn more
Embalming myths debunked 
When families visit our funeral home to make arrangements for their loved ones, one topic that often raises questions- and sometimes eyebrows- is embalming. The practice of embalming, despite being a routine aspect of funeral care, is surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can make it an uncomfortable discussion for some people. As a funeral […]
Learn more
Let’s talk about direct cremations
Whether it’s because of cost or circumstance, a formal ceremony may not be for everyone. There has been a noticeable movement away from the traditional funeral in recent years with many opting for a Direct Cremation. It may be due to the cost-of-living crisis or indeed the aftermath of Covid when people weren’t able to […]
Learn more

Contact Levertons

Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, so please contact the branch closest to you within these hours. Alternatively submit an enquiry using our form.

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Need immediate assistance? Please get in touch. In the case of someone dying at home, or if you need to contact us out of our regular office hours, do call us. We can arrange collection 24 hours a day.

Once again, you have given my family a funeral they deserved you done my dad my brother and now my mum and throughout the care and professionalism is unbelievable, nothing was too big and they accommodated with everything highly recommended Leverton’s

Review by Guido H left on 09 Dec 2025

TRUSTist

Levertons & Julie in particular took care of my beloved mum’s funeral recently. We had lost my darling dad only 5 months before & had no hesitation in using them again. They knew exactly how to deliver the send off for both my parents & made the whole process go as smoothly & as fitting as we wanted for them. They made a difficult time that bit easier knowing everything was being dealt with in their capable hands. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.

Review by Geraldine K left on 07 Dec 2025

TRUSTist

I used them recently following the death of my mother, and 4 years earlier for the death of my father. Both times they were very helpful and made it as 'good' an experience as they could in a very difficult and sad time. The helped and advised on all aspects of the funeral and provided options to keep the costs down. I did compare prices with elsewhere and found them competitive. They recommended a celebrant, who was excellent and the funeral director Michael was at the funeral on the day. I was too upset to talk to him much, but was glad he was there all the same.

Review by Rob E left on 04 Dec 2025

Google

Review by Rob E left on 04 Dec 2025

TRUSTist

Review by Sally O left on 04 Dec 2025

Google

The service and help I received from Drew at Leverton was amazing, I had lost my mother and really did not where to start to honour her. They arranged everything through gentle questions and kept me updated at all times. Lesly, bless her, dressed my mom and styled her so beautifully for my last visit, I cannot thank you enough for that. I would wholeheartedly recommend their services, I was treated with compassion and my mom was treated with all the dignity she deserved.

Review by Randa C left on 04 Dec 2025

TRUSTist

Really lovely funeral directors. From the first phone call to the the end every memeber of staff were kind, respectul, caring and helpful. They made a very difficult situation bearable.

Review by Hetty L left on 02 Dec 2025

Google

Leverton's handled the funeral with care and compassion and with a professionalism over and above my expectations. My only (small) criticism would be that communication post funeral was unclear (as in the arrangements for the collection of ashes). I was not aware that the ashes would be available for collection the following day and therefore was waiting on a call (either from Levertons or from the crematorium admin office). A week post funeral, I called Leverton's to be informed they were ready for collection (and had been from the next day).

Review by Jan K left on 02 Dec 2025

TRUSTist

Review by Andrew W left on 02 Dec 2025

TRUSTist

We are very appreciative of Leverton's (James's) guidance and arrangements for my late Aunt's Service. Family and friends commented on how the Service would have been exactly what my Aunt wished for.

Review by Gavin J left on 01 Dec 2025

Google

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