The idea is not to be hostile to religious beliefs, but to focus in a sincere way on the reality of the life that has ended. Most officiants will include in the ceremony a short period for quiet reflection, or private prayer. For the immediate family and close friends it is a comfort to have provided a ceremony that their loved one would have wanted. If possible, officiants should be contacted before the date and time of the funeral are arranged - to ensure availability. Non-religious funerals have the same status in law as religious ones.
Officiants usually receive a fee similar to ministers.
Funeral Directors handle payment, which appears on the bill as a 'disbursement'. BHA Officiants are subject to a code of conduct covering family visits, appropriate dress, and free provision of scripts on request. It is important to make your wishes about your own funeral known to those who are likely to arrange it. Wills are not always read in time to take account of funeral arrangements. The BHA has a network of accredited funeral officiants , organised into nine regions.