What does an independent funeral celebrant do?

A funeral celebrant can make sure an end-of-life ceremony is truly personal and unique. To celebrate a life, mark a passing and bring comfort and hope to families and friends. 

Today there is more choice in what you can do when someone dies. But not everyone knows that. There is always a long list of things you need to think about. 

Is there to be a direct or attended cremation, a funeral followed by a burial?  Or a memorial or celebration of life a bit later on? 

I’ve always found it so hard that while you have months or even years to plan other types of family ceremonies.

However, when someone dies, you have so little time to make the ‘arrangements’.  You also have to make so many quick decisions, sometimes with little support or advice.

It may be your first bereavement, knowing where to start can be so difficult, especially at what is already a stressful and emotional time. 

The time immediately after someone dies should be ‘right’ and is a vital part of the grieving process.  

As a funeral celebrant, I can help you with this, alongside a funeral director or independently. 

So practically what do I do for you? 

• Work alongside you talking through your ideas, your loved one may have also talked through their wishes.  I know about the choices you have today and can support you in the process.  It’s a safe place to talk about your loved one as I start to create the ceremony. 

• I take all your memories and the story of your loved one to pull together the ceremony. This will also include welcoming everyone, the flow of the ceremony and the things we need to include – for example with a cremation the committal wording as the final goodbye takes place. 

• Being independent means that elements of faith or spirituality can be included. It can be more flexible than using a humanist celebrant.  Whatever you want included can happen, if you’d like a prayer or other things to reflect your loved one’s beliefs that’s absolutely fine. 

• You might know what you want to say during the ceremony but finding it hard to put those words onto paper – a celebrant can help you do that. 

• Help you find the right music, readings, and poems to support the ceremony.

• And find those things that will make it truly special and personal, nothing is ‘wrong’. We’re all unique in life so a funeral or celebration of life should be too. 

• And then I ‘run’ the ceremony, as your funeral celebrant, I’m there if you can’t say your words to support you. I know how important it can be for you to be able to do it, so I hope having some support on hand will make that a little easier for you. It may be the first time you’ve had to speak in public like this so I’m there for you. 

It’s your ceremony, my job is to tell your loved one’s story and to be there for you. 

Contact me here – I’m more than happy to have a chat about what you need.