More than ten million Coronation Street viewers watched terminally-ill Hayley Cropper take her own life last week – and the soap is expecting similar ratings for her funeral tomorrow.

The funeral is to be a humanist ceremony – which was meticulously planned by Hayley in the days leading to her death.

Viewers will see her body arrive in a floral cardboard coffin, carried by close friends Fiz Stape and Carla Barlow, to music of her choice, and members of the congregation will hold daffodils in tribute to Hayley’s desire to see the flowers during a springtime visit to the Lake District that she never made.

Prior to the funeral, a humanist celebrant was seen visiting Hayley’s widower Roy to discuss her wishes for the ceremony.

Janice Thornton, of Shipley, is taking a particular interest in tomorrow’s episodes of Coronation Street and, as a humanist celebrant, she welcomes the soap’s storyline as a way of raising awareness of alternative funerals.

Janice is one of four humanist celebrants in the Bradford district, affiliated to the British Humanist Association (BHA), which represents people who don’t have religious faith but aim to live ethical lives. The charity has advised Coronation Street producers on what a humanist funeral involves.

Founded in 1896, the BHA has more than 28,000 members, including more than 100 parliamentarians belonging to the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group. Trained and accredited celebrants conduct funerals, weddings, baby-naming ceremonies and other non-religious events.

According to the BHA, the humanist ethos involves living “co-operatively on the basis of shared human values, respect for human rights, and concern for future generations”.

Janice says the choice of a humanist funeral for Hayley Cropper is fitting for the popular sopa character, who was determined to plan the events following her death.

“Lots of people who are not religious know they wouldn’t want a church funeral for themselves, but they’re not really sure what else is available,” says Janice. “Hayley’s funeral will do a great job in letting people know that there is an alternative – and that it’s a really good one!”

Janice has been conducting bespoke non-religious funerals in the district for six years and has led more than 500 ceremonies, many at Nabwood and Scholemoor crematoria as well as burial grounds at Thornton and Tarn Moor.

She says rising numbers of people are opting for more personal funerals reflecting and celebrating the life of the deceased.

“We’re all unique and lead such different lives. It’s only right that each funeral reflects this and focuses on the person as an individual,” says Janice.

“By giving Hayley a humanist funeral, Corrie is reflecting what many of us now want from funerals. People want an occasion that is about celebrating a life led and the relationships forged with family and friends, as well as being able to share sadness.”

When preparing a funeral, Janice visits those closest to the person who has died to find out about their life and what is wanted from the occasion. The focus is on what kind of person the deceased was, as well as what they achieved in life.

While the funerals are structured, without hymns or prayers, they are personalised and involve a committal of the body back to the elements, ending with an uplifting tone.

Janice advises on music, readings and contributions from other people then, with their input, writes a ceremony script tailor-made to suit them.

“Humanist funerals are completely flexible – there are no rules or set script,” says Janice.

“My role is about helping to create a funeral that is just right for the person who has died.”

She adds: “Some people think this is a strange area of work to go into, but it’s really rewarding and I love it. Providing people with the perfect way to say goodbye to someone they love is a privilege.”

Janice also conducts humanist baby-naming and wedding ceremonies, liaising with families and couples to ensure that such milestone life events are celebrated in a way that suits them.

BHA celebrants undergo a rigorous training procedure involving writing scripts, talking and listening to people, and learning how to deal sensitively with issues like bereavement.

l For more information about humanism contact Janice Thornton on (01274) 584654 or visit humanist.org.uk.