LETTER:Death with honour for all

Nicolas Walter
Saturday 20 January 1996 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

JOAN Smith says "the question of how to honour celebrated citizens who don't believe in God needs to be addressed", and adds that her "preference is for a simple secular ceremony at which people who knew the dead person are allowed to speak" ("You get atomised for sin these days ...", 7 January). There is no problem here. Non-religious funerals have been conducted in Britain since the 1830s, are becoming increasingly popular, and are familiar to most funeral directors. You can have whatever kind of ceremony you like, you can organise it yourself, or you can contact the Humanist Ceremonies Network (01608 652063) which has officiants across the country.

Nicolas Walter

London N1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in