Rito Laico
Humanist ceremonies in Italy
italiano

An introduction to non-religious funerals




  • What is a Humanist funeral?
    A Humanist funeral gives you the opportunity to say your last goodbyes to someone who has died in a dignified manner, but without any reference to a religious belief or tradition. This form of non-religious ceremony celebrates the life and the affections of the person who has died, by briefly telling the story of their life. There may also be music, and perhaps some readings from great literature. There are no prayers, hymns, or readings from holy books.
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  • If you're not religious, why hold a funeral anyway?
    Funerals are important moments, when relatives, friends and colleagues come together to express their sadness for the death of someone who was dear to them, and their sympathy for those most closely touched by that loss.

    In plain words: a funeral is for the living. Experience has shown that the celebration of an appropriate form of funeral can give great comfort to those who grieve. They may also find support in the public expression of that grief together with others who share it, and in the face of the unremitting fact of death.
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  • What's wrong with a traditional funeral?
    Nothing is wrong with a traditional form of funeral if you share the beliefs on which it is founded. But the celebration of an inappropriate religious ritual in memory of someone who did not share that faith can cause both unease and distress to those who attend it. Such a ritual is unlkely to give any assistance to those who grieve.
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  • Where do you hold a non-religious funeral?
    There are no particular pre-requisites, and in theory it could be celebrated anywhere. In practice, the most commonly adopted solutions in Italy are Funeral Homes, crematory chapels, cemetery chapels, at home or in special Municipal Rooms. Other places that have been used include both hotel suites andd the occasional church- if the vicar is open to this.
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  • Who can celebrate it?
    It can be a friend or a relative, or perhaps a trained funeral celebrant. The books Funerali senza dio and Funerals without god both give clear instructions (in Italian and in English respectively) on how the matter can be arranged. More details here.
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  • How can you prepare a non-religious funeral?
    There are no prescribed forms or words or procedures. However, the books Funerali senza dio and Funerals without god both give clear instructions (in Italian and in English, respectively) on how the matter can be arranged. More details here.
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Funerali senza dio