Religious and non-religious funerals Sam Weller Many people don't have religious beliefs yet still have special ceremonies to commemorate the burial of their dead. And different religions have their own particular and distinct burial traditions.

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Funerals without a church service

Funerals of different religions

Increasingly, funerals are being held without a church service. The ritual hall at the crematorium, often called a chapel, substitutes as a convenient space in which to conduct a ceremony of committal or a non-religious celebration of a life.

Even so, while many people in the UK aren't churchgoers, they'll often turn to a Church of England ceremony at a time of bereavement. Members of the clergy are regularly called upon to officiate at cremations and conduct ceremonies at the crematorium rather than in their church. In the case of a burial, a religious ceremony may be conducted at the graveside in a cemetery or churchyard.

The ceremony generally comprises two parts - a celebration of the dead person's life and the committal of the body to the flames or to the earth. The celebration may be held away from the crematorium or burial ground, in a church, community hall or at home, for example, followed by a second service for committal at the crematorium or graveside.

If the ashes are to be buried, the Christian service of committal may be performed during their burial.

The British Humanist Association has a team of officiants competent in arranging and conducting services of a sensitive but non-religious nature.

Most cemeteries are owned by local authorities or private companies and are non-denominational, although some have space dedicated to particular religious groups. Some religious groups also have dedicated cemeteries.

Minority groups have their own religious leaders working within the community to provide guidance and administer the proper rites and rituals. Where there are large concentrations of certain ethnic groups, funeral directors specialising in their requirements have become established.

Muslims insist on burial and prefer their graves to be oriented towards Mecca. Most Muslim burials in the UK take place in cemeteries run by local councils and as a result Muslims are not always buried in accordance with Islamic law. Some local authorities have set aside areas of their cemetery to provide this facility and there are also Muslim trusts and charities set up to meet their burial needs.

Hindus insist on cremation and the tradition of a son lighting the funeral pyre is sometimes accommodated by providing a remote switch to the cremator - with an observation area.

Here's a list of different organisations that can help attend to your funeral needs.