It’s important to choose the right funeral celebrant, especially if you’re wanting a meaningful, personalised funeral. Losing a loved one is a difficult experience, and planning their farewell can feel completely overwhelming.
Opting for a celebrant-led ceremony will give you more freedom of choice and the opportunity to create a unique event that honours your loved one’s life.
What do Funeral Celebrants do?
A funeral celebrant is a professional who helps families plan and then deliver a personalised funeral ceremony. Unlike a funeral director who handles the logistics around transport, burial/cremation and offical requirements at the time of a death, a celebrant focusses on the ceremony itself. (If you require a funeral director visit the AFDA’s searchable directory here).
Celebrants are skilled at working with families in shock and grief. They offer compassionate guidance to help you craft an event that sets the right tone and captures the essence of your loved one.
A good celebrant is skilled in questioning and listening. This helps them to gather stories and memories which they can then weave into a tribute that honours the person who has died.
Why work with a Funeral Celebrant?
Celebrant-led ceremonies offer flexibility and a focus on the individual:
- Personalisation: They focus on the individual’s life, values, and passions, and are less likely to follow religious traditions.
- Location Flexibility: Memorial Ceremonies can be held anywhere – a garden, a community hall, or even a favourite club or restaurant.
- Meaningful Tributes: Celebrants help incorporate music, readings, and rituals that reflect your loved one’s personality.
How to Choose the Right Celebrant
Choosing a celebrant is a personal decision. Here’s what to look for:
- Experience and Skills: While fthey don’t require formal qualification, make sure they have experience and good communication skills.
- Personal Connection: Do you feel comfortable with them? A good celebrant will listen with openness and compassion. Schedule an initial call or meeting to see if you feel a connection.
- Availability and Fees: Discuss their availability and what they charge. Understand what they include and if there are any additional costs. I like to be completely transparent about my costs, something that doesn’t happen enough in our industry unfortunately. (For an overview of my charges you can check out my services page here).
- Independent vs. Funeral Director Recommendations: You have the right to choose your celebrant. Don’t feel obligated to use the one recommended by the funeral director. If you have your own celebrant this amount can simply be deducted from the funeral director’s package.
Creating a Meaningful Farewell
A well-crafted funeral ceremony can be a great source of comfort. It allows for the loved one’s family and friends to gather and say their farewells. A celebrant can help you create a service that reflects a unique life, often adding in creative elements in honour of the person’s interests, passions or experiences.
If you’re looking for a compassionate funeral celebrant, please feel free to reach out. I’m here to help you create a ceremony that honours your loved one’s memory in whatever way feels right to you.
