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Becoming a funerals officiant with the BHA A Growing Demand For over
a century the British Humanist Association (BHA) and its forerunners have
been providing funeral ceremonies for people with no religious belief. In recent years, the demand has increased
dramatically. Why? ·
the
public increasingly realises that non-religious ceremonies are available and
acceptable; ·
people
have come to appreciate that such ceremonies are not only right for those who
have lived their life without religion, but can be remarkably powerful and
satisfying; ·
there
is increasing dissatisfaction with perfunctory, ‘production line’
religious ceremonies; ·
non-religious
ceremonies provide unique flexibility for a highly personalised celebration
of the distinctive and unique life that has ended. The Role of the BHA As the
principal charity representing people without religious belief, the BHA has
led the development of non-religious ceremonies, by ·
bringing
together those who conduct ceremonies - ‘officiants’ - into a
well-organised national network, with regional and area co-ordinators; ·
introducing
rigorous training and accreditation procedures for officiants, together with
local support, to ensure the highest standards; ·
producing
leaflets, a highly-regarded advisory booklet ‘Funerals Without
God’, and a regular newsletter to keep officiants informed of new
developments and good practice; ·
organising
the first national conference for officiants. Officiating
- What’s Involved? The role
of officiant is an extremely demanding one. It requires strong personal qualities,
and high levels of competence in several equally important respects: ·
the
interpersonal skills to work with recently-bereaved families from a wide
variety of backgrounds, to win their confidence, to put them at ease as far
as possible, and to d ·
the
writing skills necessary to construct a meaningful and satisfying finished
product which celebrates the life ended without compromising accuracy and
integrity, and which d ·
competence
to write in accurate, appropriate English, with correct spelling, punctuation
and grammar; ·
the
appearance, presentational skills, presence and authority required to
officiate and take charge of proceedings on the day, to deal calmly and
reassuringly with the unexpected, and to deliver the ceremony effectively; ·
the
ability to be punctual, to be well-organised, with the technical skills to
produce a copy of the ceremony script worthy of retention by the family, with
the capacity to work sometimes to tight deadlines and under considerable
pressure, and to liaise successfully with funeral directors, crematoria and
cemetery staff and colleagues; ·
computer,
answering machine and access to reliable transport: in many areas this means
ability to drive a car; ·
an
appropriate standard of dress; ·
a
clear understanding of, and a strong commitment to the underlying principles
of a Humanist ceremony - that each life is unique, that each life has
something to tell us about how we live our own lives, that lives continue
through the values and attributes bequeathed by the deceased to their
successors, that death is a small price to pay for having lived. Becoming a BHA
Accredited Officiant The BHA
makes no apology for setting the highest standards for those who wish to
achieve and retain the standing of Accredited Officiant. Bereaved people are
too vulnerable, the scope for inadequate or inefficient service is too wide,
the legacy of poorly conducted funerals is too great to permit anything other
than the best that can be arranged.
Although a fee within BHA guidelines is payable for each ceremony, the
likely income in no way matches the work required of an officiant.
Prospective officiants for whom income is the principal motivation, or who
see officiating mainly as a lucrative sideline, are discouraged from
applying. To become an officiant, and to remain
one, you will need: ·
to
be sufficiently in sympathy with Humanism and the BHA’s aims to join
the Association and remain a member; ·
to
make contact with the BHA or a serving officiant to learn more about what is
involved and to observe and discuss a ceremony; ·
to
convince a small panel of serving officiants that you are properly motivated
and broadly suitable to be accepted for training; ·
to
complete successfully several days of training at separate venues, including
presentational work at a crematorium, together with home assignments; (Note that the pass rate varies
for each course: not everyone accepted for training is found to be suitable.)
·
to
operate at first with a serving officiant as mentor, and to take on board any
guidance given, as a prerequisite for formal accreditation; ·
to
accept and to operate within BHA guidelines and jurisdiction, and as part of
a mutually supportive local team; ·
to
attend regional meetings of officiants as and when they arise to share
experiences and good practice; ·
to
be prepared to be observed every 3 years by an accredited officiant to ensure
that your standards remain high;
·
to
make the required annual contribution to the BHA towards the costs of
administration, training and publications and to produce annual returns. Is It For You? Because
many people for whom the non-religious option is chosen are from younger age
groups, BHA officiants often encounter the aftermath of tragic death.
Although your first ceremonies are likely to be more ‘straightforward’,
you could soon be officiating at the funerals of young children, suicides,
murder victims, people who have died in other tragic and traumatic
circumstances. You will be dealing with families stunned or ravaged by grief,
families whose worst nightmares have come true. The work you will be expected
to do will be of an exceptional nature and of exceptionally high quality - it
follows that you will need to be an exceptional person, determined always to
give of your best, mindful always that each funeral is unique. In return, you will receive advice,
help and friendship from fellow officiants, and support from the BHA. Above
all, you will gain immense satisfaction from ·
using
your combination of rare skills to best effect; ·
celebrating
the character of a life ended in a positive yet honest light; ·
helping
bereaved people at the worst time in their lives; ·
demonstrating
the power of humanity to support and inspire people in distress. The BHA
and the families who turn to us need more officiants who can meet the
increasing demand and the BHA’s rigorous standards. If you see yourself
as the person described above, contact us! Apply to become a funerals officiant |
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