With half the UK population now describing themselves as non-religious, humanist funerals are becoming ever more popular.

Humanists do not believe in God or an after-life and seek to live good, ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and concern for others.

At a humanist funeral, the focus is on celebrating what the person was like and how they lived their life.

Coronation Street put humanist funerals in the spotlight when popular character Hayley Cropper was given a humanist send-off in the TV soap.

Celebrities given a humanist funeral include chef Keith Floyd in 2009 and comedian Ronnie Barker in 2005.

According to the British Humanist Association (BHA), most of the funerals are held for atheists or agnostics.

Often people choos a humanist funeral because they feel it will reflect the personality and outlook of their loved one, saying a religious service would feel inappropriate. Celebrants spend time with a family to find out about the person who has died and discuss options. They craft a script based on that information and the family's wishes. There are no hymns or prayers, although music and quiet reflection can be included.

A team of humanist celebrants are available for funeral and memorial services in Oxfordshire. One, poet Pat Winslow, of Hailey near Witney, conducts what she calls an alternative to a "flat-pack" funeral.

"A funeral isn't just about the end of a life, it's about the legacy we've been left. It's about how that person has helped to shape us."

www.humanism.org.uk has a list of local celebrants.