Civil funerals are to be made available in Lancashire with registrars conducting non-religious services at gravesides and crematoriums.

The registration service has selected ten of its staff to train as celebrants', who will aim to create a highly personal ceremony with the help of family and friends.

The ceremony, which will cost £95, can include music, poetry, readings and tributes, and can be held for both cremations and burials at non-religious burial ground.

Superintendent registrar, Gillian Greeson, said: "The ceremony is designed to meet the wishes of each individual family to create a unique and meaningful occasion.

"Civil funeral celebrants will all have undertaken intensive training and have been assessed in many areas, including tribute writing skills, delivery of ceremonies and the personal qualities that make them suitable to fulfil such an important role.

"A minister of religion will not need to be present.

"We intend to work closely with funeral directors to deliver meaningful services for families."

The ceremony will take the form of an introduction by the celebrant, a eulogy delivered by the celebrant or any of the deceased's family or friends and time for personal reflection with either a piece of music or a few moments of silence.

The new service will be launched in November.

In another expansion of the registration service, Saturday afternoon marriages will become available in April 2007. The county's registry offices currently only perform marriage ceremonies until noon on Saturdays.

The cost of a Saturday afternoon marriage ceremony will be £150, compared to the normal price of £40.