My mother died a month ago, and this week was her funeral. In accordance with her views it was a humanism ceremony. I read an excerpt from Richard Dawkins ‘Unweaving the Rainbow’.

So many people commented to me afterwards that they had never been to a non-religious ceremony before, but they were moved by how personal and appropriate it was. The humanist minister was outstanding, the music was just perfect and there were no unanswered questions about how any loving god could take away such a good person at such a young way and in such cruel circumstances. Instead we were asked to reflect on the following: “all living things are subject to death and we, being a part of nature, are no exception. And sometimes nature can be so, so cruel. And when death arrives, it can be a rude reminder that life is only temporary and that whenever it is finished, the pattern stands in its completeness – with no negotiation or re-negotiation.”