Explainers
Humanist funeral UK: what it is, what it costs, how to arrange one
By Peter Langdon FCA · Last updated 17 July 2026
Quick answer
A humanist funeral is a non-religious funeral ceremony led by a trained humanist celebrant, focused on the life and personality of the person who has died rather than on religious content. It can accompany either a cremation or a burial. The funeral director's charge is the same as for any attended funeral — a median of £2,895 in the CMA Standardised Price Lists captured by Funeral Cost Index — and the humanist-specific cost is the celebrant's fee, typically around £200–£300, plus the crematorium or burial fee.
A humanist funeral is a non-religious ceremony conducted by a humanist celebrant who works with the family to build a service around the person who has died — their life, values and relationships — without hymns, prayers or religious readings. It is one of the fastest-growing ways to mark a death in the UK and can be held for a cremation or a burial. This guide explains what it involves, what it costs against the current price of a funeral, and how to arrange one.
What is a humanist funeral?
At a humanist funeral, the celebrant meets the family, learns about the person who has died, and writes and delivers a personal ceremony — a tribute to their life, often with music, poems and readings chosen by the family, and time for reflection. There is no religious content, though many celebrants can include a moment of private reflection for those who wish to pray. The ceremony can take place at a crematorium, a cemetery chapel, a natural burial ground, or another venue, and sits alongside — rather than replaces — the practical funeral arranged by the funeral director.
How much does a humanist funeral cost?
Choosing a humanist ceremony does not change the funeral director’s charge — that is the same as for any attended funeral, a median of £2,895 across the CMA Standardised Price Lists captured by Funeral Cost Index. The cost specific to a humanist funeral is the celebrant’s fee, typically around £200–£300, which is a third-party disbursement paid on top. So the make-up of the bill is:
- Funeral director’s charge for an attended funeral — median £2,895
- Humanist celebrant’s fee — roughly £200–£300
- Crematorium or burial fee — paid separately (see the disbursements guide)
The £200–£300 celebrant range is typical market guidance, not a captured price — individual celebrants set their own fees.
Humanist, civil or religious celebrant?
A humanist celebrant leads an entirely non-religious ceremony and is usually accredited by Humanists UK or a comparable body. A civil (or independent) celebrant can blend non-religious and light religious elements — a hymn or a prayer — if the family wants them. A minister of religion leads a faith-based service. All three charge a broadly similar fee; the choice is about the tone and content of the ceremony, not the funeral director’s price.
How to arrange a humanist funeral
You can ask your funeral director to book a humanist celebrant, or approach an accredited celebrant directly and have the funeral director work around the ceremony. Because the funeral director’s charge is the largest part of the bill and is published, compare it first: use postcode search to see funeral directors’ published prices near you, read the average funeral cost guide, and decide separately on cremation or burial.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a humanist funeral cost in the UK?
A humanist funeral costs the same as any attended funeral for the funeral director's part — a median of £2,895 across the CMA Standardised Price Lists captured by Funeral Cost Index — plus the humanist celebrant's fee of roughly £200–£300 and the crematorium or burial fee. The humanist ceremony itself does not change the funeral director's charge; only the celebrant's fee is specific to it.
What is a humanist funeral?
A humanist funeral is a non-religious funeral ceremony led by a trained humanist celebrant, built around the life and personality of the person who has died rather than religious content. It has no hymns, prayers or religious readings, though it can include music, poems, personal tributes and a moment of reflection, and it can accompany either a cremation or a burial.
Can you have a humanist funeral with a cremation or a burial?
Yes. A humanist ceremony is about the content and tone of the service, not the method of committal, so it works for either a cremation or a burial. The celebrant leads the ceremony at the crematorium, cemetery chapel, natural burial ground or another venue, and the funeral director handles the practical arrangements either way.
Who conducts a humanist funeral?
A humanist celebrant, usually accredited by Humanists UK or a comparable body, conducts the ceremony. They meet the family, learn about the person who has died, and write and deliver a personal, non-religious service. You can book a celebrant through your funeral director or approach one directly.
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Source
Guides combine Funeral Cost Index data with primary public sources. They are written for comparison and signposting, not as financial, legal or bereavement advice.
Freshness
Last data check: 17 July 2026. Based on published CMA Standardised Price Lists where available.
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