Personalised farewell ceremonies
delivered with creativity, care and compassion

A man with beard wearing a black suit and black tie holding a book and standing in front of a wicker coffin at a funeral ceremony

Hello, I’m Toby

I’m a professionally qualified and accredited humanist funeral celebrant based in southeast London. I create and conduct non-religious ceremonies that honour lives with dignity and compassion.

I support those who mourn by sensitively commemorating their loved ones in a way that truly reflects the life they lived.

I draw from my own experience of loss to communicate with empathy, respect and love.

A man with beard wearing a beige jacket and floral shirt standing in front of green foliage
Learn more about me

I’m an impassioned public speaker and have a way with words.

I bring energy and confidence to farewell ceremonies, delivering them with authority and kindness.

Open-mindedness and creativity are at my core. I draw upon my decades of experience in international journalism to eloquently tell the stories of people’s lives.

I’ll work closely with you to craft a send-off that dignifies your person with honesty, warmth and gratitude.

I speak powerfully
and from the heart

A man with beard wearing a black suit and black tie standing at a podium holding a book
Contact me

Honouring a loved one in a way that feels authentic can be transformative for those saying goodbye. A good funeral can offer a ray of light at a time that might feel very dark.

Whether you choose a non-religious funeral, celebration of life, memorial service or ash ceremony, I’ll design the occasion just for your person and place the unique life they lived at its heart.

I aim to create a tribute that feels perfectly fitting to those of you who gather to mourn, allowing you to recognise the person you knew and loved – and to feel included in the ceremony.

A good funeral can make a big difference

My goal is to make your planned farewell meaningful, memorable and uplifting

Plan a ceremony

Watch a video about what I do and how I work:

“Toby delivered the most personal, heartfelt and honourable tribute to my Dad. The ceremony he created was full of warmth, meaning, humour and sensitivity - and was more than my family and I could have wished for. I would highly recommend Toby. He presented a genuine celebration of life so beautifully.”

- Karen, Canterbury

White flowers on a climbing plant against a brick wall

Choosing a ceremony that’s right for your loved one

  • A bouquet of flowers on a wooden surface

    Crematorium ceremonies and burials

    Funeral ceremonies held in the more traditional settings of a crematorium or cemetery can be as formal or relaxed as you feel is appropriate, but keep time constraints in mind.

    I’ll work closely with your funeral director and venue staff to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly.

  • A wicker coffin resting on bamboo trestles in a garden

    Alternative settings and ash ceremonies

    Holding a ceremony at a natural or woodland burial site, or in a unique location which holds particular significance, can be a distinctive and poignant way to say goodbye.

    I’ll work creatively with you to adapt the ceremony to your preferred environment.

  • A candle on a table

    Custom memorials and celebrations of life

    A celebration of life can be comforting following an unattended direct cremation, while a memorial event can bring family and friends together at a time convenient for all.

    Whatever your chosen occasion, I’ll be the link that seamlessly ties the ceremony together.

Plan a ceremony

What is a humanist funeral ceremony?

A close up of white flowers in a garden

A humanist funeral is non-religious. It places the life of the person who has died at the very heart of the ceremony, focusing on their achievements, their connections to others and the legacy of their contributions to family, community and the wider world.

  • A humanist funeral focuses on an individual’s life and lived experiences, rather than on acts of worship or reflections on an afterlife. A humanist ceremony may be especially suitable for someone who did not believe in god, or simply described themselves as ‘not religious’. But they are open to everyone, regardless of background or personal belief.

  • Humanist ceremonies offer complete freedom of choice over content, without having to use elements which some religious services might require. Words, music and readings that may hold greater personal meaning can be included, making the ceremony feel more in-tune with the person being honoured.

  • All are welcome to attend a humanist ceremony, no matter what anyone personally believes. I respect and will acknowledge faith held by others and I always include a moment of calm reflection in the ceremonies I lead, during which anyone present with religious belief is invited to say a silent prayer.

  • Humanist farewells are very flexible and all kinds of personal requests can be accommodated. While I’m not qualified to lead any acts of worship during ceremonies, I’m happy to discuss the inclusion of any content that is important to you or might bring particular comfort to those saying goodbye.

I believe a farewell ceremony should both acknowledge the pain of loss and gently uplift those who gather to say goodbye.

It can be poignant, memorable, and also warm and life-affirming.

A man wearing a suit and black tie holding a book standing in front of a coffin at a funeral in a garden with people sitting on chairs watching
Contact me

Professionalism
you can trust

    • I’m trained and accredited by Humanists UK, whose Humanist Ceremonies division provides gold-star celebrant training programmes.

    • I keep up-to-date with current celebrant practice and engage in continuing professional development to enhance my abilities.

    • I regularly undergo peer review to ensure I meet required professional standards.

    • I adhere to the standards of practice set out by Humanist Ceremonies in their Code of Conduct.

    • I have adopted the Funeral Celebrant Accord, which sets the standards by which all celebrants offering funeral services should be measured.

    • I act in compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and treat all individuals - whatever their beliefs or backgrounds - with integrity, respect, courtesy and dignity.

    • I’m part of the Humanist Ceremonies network of Humanists UK, a nationwide support network of celebrants which fosters a collaborative and professional culture.

    • The network is a close-knit community of professionals which offers alternative celebrant candidates in the event of lack of availability.

    • Humanist Ceremonies also offers a structured Complaints Procedure, in the rare instance that things do not go as expected.

Contact me

If you’d like to discuss how I may help you plan a farewell ceremony, please do get in touch. I’m happy to arrange an initial conversation to better explain what I do and how I work, with no obligation.

toby.goode@humanistceremonies.org.uk
07796 698 879

I generally respond to emails within three hours.