Hi, just a short blog today to make you aware that i shall be completing my FUNERAL CELEBRANT COURSE next month and will be able to officiate at funeral ceremonies from end of MAY.
What is a funeral celebrant’s role?
The rise in popularity of funeral celebrants arose from families wanting to arrange personalised funerals that celebrate their loved one’s life, and aren’t bound by set rules and regulations.
For this reason celebrants will typically work closely with a family to familiarise themselves with the deceased, ensure a family’s funeral wishes are fulfilled, and create a personalised ‘celebration of life’ service.
Civil funeral celebrants are not part of any religion or belief system can perform a service without or without religious content. A funeral lead by civil celebrant can be an occasion for mourning and sadness, a celebration of life, or both. The focus of the service is on what the deceased’s family want from the service.
Although many families do not consider themselves religious, they find comfort in familiar funeral prayers, hymns and religious readings. A civil celebrant will be happy to incorporate religious elements if you would like.
What does a funeral celebrant do?
We would contact you to arrange a face-to-face meeting (if this is not possible, then phone calls or video calls may be used). I may arrange to visit you at home, at a time that is convenient to you.
During this meeting, I will ask questions that will enable them to find out about your wishes for the service and to understand the wishes of the deceased. I will ask you questions about the life of your loved one, their character, their values, and what made them the person they were.
I will also discuss with you the readings, music and poems that you would like to include in the service. I may also be able to make suggestions for suitable readings, music and poems if you are struggling to decide.
I will take all the information gathered from the meeting and create a unique and personal service that represents the life of the deceased. They may produce a draft of the service for you to review and make any necessary amendments before the ceremony.
On the day of the funeral, the celebrant will meet you at your chosen venue and proceed to officiate the service.
Why choose a funeral celebrant?
A funeral celebrant (myself) can help portray the life of the deceased within the context of their wishes and the wishes of their family, as well as conduct a timely event.
A funeral celebrant is someone who can:
– Talk you through the process of planning a funeral service, if you are unfamiliar with what to expect
– Lead a fitting ceremony at an emotional time for you and your family
– Be flexible and sensible about the form that a funeral can take
– Contribute from experience to create the most suitable ceremony.