The role of a Funeral Celebrant at funeral is to create, write and lead ceremonies that are a reflection your loved one. In doing so, a ceremony is special, meaningful and memorable for everyone involved.
The role is distinct from the Funeral Director whose role is to oversee, direct, and coordinate all aspects of funeral services including body preparation, visitation, services, burials, and cremations, providing caring support and advice to families and friends of the deceased.
The celebrant’s role is, therefore, a vitally important one within the overall responsibility of the Funeral Director; with the two working very closely together.
In my role as a Civil Celebrant, I am not affiliated to any religion and I am, therefore, not compelled to include any religious elements. At the same time, I can include some, which may provide comfort to friends and family. Such elements may be hymns or prayers or readings which are relevant to the loved one.
Other elements that may be included could be personal stories or tributes, music or readings, for example. These could be read by myself or friends and family. All of these things can be discussed with myself in a meeting I will have with the family / next of kin and with the Funeral Director at the appropriate time.
Whilst, quite often, the ceremony may take place at a crematorium or non-religious burial site, it is very possible that another other location be chosen.
Chapels or outdoor places can be chosen for the ceremony itself, perhaps, separate from the cremation (if it is a cremation); perhaps a place that was meaningful to the person who has died or even at home.
Discussions with the Funeral Director, in the first instance, and in discussion with the celebrant can provide more information on the possibilities.
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