Funeral Celebrant

supporting you, when you need it
Learn MoreGet in Touch

Funeral Celebrant

supporting you, when you need it
Learn MoreGet in Touch

Funeral Celebrant

supporting you, when you need it
Learn MoreGet in Touch
What is a Funeral Celebrant?

A funeral celebrant is a funeral officiant, often from a non-religious background, who can organise and conduct funerals. A funeral celebrant supports bereaved families in managing a “celebration of life” for their loved ones.

Why use a Funeral Celebrant?

Funeral Celebrants help distressed families to celebrate the life of someone who has just passed away. They help plan and conduct funeral services and support families through this difficult time. Their purpose is to bring joy, help the family remember the good times they had with their family member, say a last goodbye, and start the healing process.

Where does the term Funeral Celebrant come from?

The term funeral celebrant only dates to 1975, in Australia, when Dally Messenger III was asked to perform a civil funeral service by the husband of a couple she had married four weeks previously. Her husband was adamant that they deserved a civil funeral because they had a civil marriage. A funeral celebrant is also called a funeral officiant.

A celebrant is looking to create a celebration of the deceased life, tell stories about them and inform the congregation about all aspects of the deceased.

Who can be a Funeral Celebrant?

Funeral celebrants are independent specialists who are proficient at writing, presenting, interviewing and are good at organising events. They are also empathetic and have good listening skills. A funeral celebrant will usually work with a funeral home or funeral director on behalf of a family.

Who is the client, the Funeral Home or Funeral Director or the family?

Once a Funeral Director or Funeral Home has employed a Funeral Celebrant, the celebrant will then take orders and requests and liaise with the family member in charge of the funeral process. Changes to the service, speakers, poems, songs/hymns, prayers, etc., will be agreed upon with the family member in charge.

What will the funeral service be like?

Funerals are a time of great sadness for the family and friends left behind. The funeral celebrant will conduct the funeral service in the style and manner that the family request. The celebrant is not a religious officiant, but can incorporate aspects of religious requests. If the family wants the Lord’s Prayer or a hymn, such as All things Bright and Beautiful, the celebrant will accommodate these. If the family does not require any religious overtones, then none will be incorporated.

What role will the Funeral Celebrant play in the service?

A Funeral celebrant will lead the funeral service. They will support the family from the first meeting to the end of the service. The celebrant wants to ensure the wishes of the family and deceased are complied with. The celebrant will assist at the crematorium, and during the service, as much or as little as the family requires. 

If there are speakers, coach the speakers and show them where to stand and when to speak. The celebrant will also keep track of time and ensure all those asked to speak do so in a timely fashion. A celebrant can also write the eulogy if necessary and ask the family member organising the service to confirm they are happy with the narrative. 

Finally, the celebrant will help create the Order of Service for the funeral.

Who writes the eulogy?

It is common for family members to write and read the eulogy, but not mandatory. However, the celebrant can write the eulogy in collaboration with family and friends. The primary member of the family arranging the funeral will confirm the acceptance of the final version.

Delivering the eulogy can be via the funeral celebrant, family or friend.

Who will select the music?

Selecting the music at a funeral service can be very stressful. The celebrant can help with the choice, but the decision is down to the family.

Music can play an essential role. Ultimately, if the family wanted the entire service to be one song after another, that is perfectly acceptable. For more information, click here.

Do I have to have a poem or prayers?

Absolutely not. Some people feel that the Lord’s Prayer, a hymn or poem, is a great comfort. If you don’t want to use any of these, you don’t have to. The funeral service is there to help you say goodbye to your loved one, not to feel you have to comply with the norms of other people 

Who organises the funeral?

When a funeral celebrant has suggested to a family, the celebrant will contact the primary family contact to arrange a face-to-face or virtual meeting. The celebrant could meet you at your home, work or any convenient place and time to meet your requirements.

At this meeting, the celebrant will create a caring and nurturing environment and put you at ease. An open and honest interview/conversation will follow. The celebrant will try to understand your wishes and those of the deceased. They will carefully listen to you, take notes, or even record the conversation. The celebrant is trying to get as much information about you and the deceased and how you would like the funeral service to run.

Stories about the deceased are what the celebrant is looking for. The celebrant will ask questions about the deceased’s life, personality and character. Who they were as a person, ask about some funny stories, special habits or anything that would honour the deceased.

Creating an Order of Service

An order of service is a document that tells the congregation what will happen during the funeral service. You do NOT have to have an Order of Service if you don’t want one. Alternatively, you can create and print one yourself. For more information on the order of service, click here.

Who will officiate at the service?

The celebrant will lead the service. They will welcome the congregation to the crematorium, home, or wherever the service is. Often they will lead the service and read the eulogy, although this is not mandatory. If the family wants to be more involved in the service, inform the celebrant, and they will work with you to deliver the perfect service. 

On the day of the service, the funeral celebrant or funeral officiant will be at the crematorium or chosen venue about an hour before the service to ensure every detail of the service is in order.

Why should you choose a funeral celebrant?

Losing a loved one is very stressful, and emotions are fragile. Often, getting help for someone who can take a caring and nurturing stance can be beneficial and create relief in the service’s organisation. It’s helpful to turn to someone who can empathise with you, who understands the process to undertake and can reassure you during the funeral process.

How to find a funeral celebrant?

There are many ways to find a funeral celebrant. Your funeral director or the funeral home will have a list of three or four celebrants they use regularly. Alternatively, you can search google for a funeral celebrant in your area or via recommendations. 

Celebrants are dedicated to their families and want them to have the best experience possible during such a sad time. Just because a Funeral Director has suggested a funeral celebrant, you don’t have to use them. Do a little research and select a celebrant you feel comfortable with. After all, you will deal with some of the most personal and raw feelings you will ever have.

How much does a funeral celebrant cost?

If your funeral is via a Funeral Director or a high street funeral company, the feel for the celebrant will be part of the package you purchase. However, the general cost for a funeral celebrant is between £200-£250. Some celebrants may charge for mileage or additional fees, so make sure you clearly understand all the costs at the start of the process.

It’s helpful to review any testimonials that the funeral director or celebrant can provide, as this will reflect the experiences of others.

FuneralCelebrant Frequantly Asked Questions

If we have not answered your funeral celebrant questions, please email us.

Arranging a funeral is such a stressful time in your life when you are trying to come to terms with your loss. Ask Julie the Funeral Celebrant for any help you may need. We hope that most of your questions have been answered. If not, please do not hesitate in contact us.

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Funeral celebrant

Talk To Julie

Losing a member of the family is stressful, there are numerous decisions to be made within a short period of time. It might be easier to talk to me in person, if so call me on the number below.

Tel: 01367 246003
Email: julie@juliefarmer.co.uk
Web: julie@juliefarmer.co.uk

Why Choose Forget Me Not Celebrant

With Kind Permission

  • Professional Work

  • Clear Communications

  • Fast Delivery

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Professional Service

Our service is bespoke to your needs and delivered to an agreed timescale.  You are kept aware of all aspects of your services.

Clear Communication

All services are created to your brief.  A draft version of the service will be sent to you for authorisation and final approval.

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Souvenir Copy

At the end of the service, we will give you a souvenir copy of the script to keep, helping you remember the day.  Extra copies are available.

A warm and respectful celebration of your loved one’s life

Get In Touch

I write and deliver bespoke, personalised funeral ceremonies that truly reflect your loved one, their quirks, their achievements, their passions and their traits. If you want more information, please contact me using the form below.

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