Show Notes
Music Choices:
Missa Luba by les troubadours du roi baudouin
Ian's Reading choice
Blessing for the Broken Hearted by Jan Richardson
Ian's Biography
Born in Zimbabwe and educated in Zambia and Scotland, I’ve been a radio producer for 30 years or so – working in most of Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and quite a lot of South East Asia. I used to live with my wife on a Dutch Barge in London but now our children are grown we’ve been able to move to a small north Oxfordshire village with a big garden and a medium sized dog.
Although I encountered a form of Humanism early on in my schooling (it was promoted by Kenneth Kaunda, first president of Zambia), like many Humanist celebrants my major motivation came from attending too many disappointing ceremonies. I like the way secular celebrations can’t hide behind liturgy and therefore reveal the real people involved. And I am constantly fascinated and amazed at the inventiveness and creativity people put into their celebrations – even funerals. Especially funerals.
My communications skills, won over many years in broadcasting, help me to understand what people want to achieve in their ceremonies and to find ways to create events that accurately reflect those desires.
Contact Details
humanist.org.uk/ianwillox/
07973 221 479
01865 58 9663
More from The Humanist Celebrant Podcast
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Doug is a humanist celebrant based in Newark and conducts ceremonies in the East Midlands and London. He's done lots of different jobs in his life including gravedigger, customs officer, accountant, actor and teacher of English and he's travelled widely in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He's never believed in a god, but he doesn’t have a problem with people that do. From 2016 to 2019 he combined celebrancy with being a “Faith Adviser” on the Lincoln University Chaplaincy team, working side by side with priests, imams and other religious leaders providing advice and guidance to students.
In this episode I am joined by three UK based Humanist celebrants, Felicity Harvest, Douglas Duckworth and Roger Payne, and together we offer some advice to anyone who has been asked to speak at the funeral of a friend, relative or colleague.
In this episode I am joined by three UK based Humanist celebrants, Felicity Harvest, Douglas Duckworth and Roger Payne, and together we offer some advice to anyone who has been asked to speak at the funeral of a friend, relative or colleague.