Funeral Celebrants

An Important Choice

With so many funerals today being conducted outside the “traditional” church service routine, the demand for funeral celebrants is increasing on a daily basis.

Apart from formal qualifications, a person needs certain characteristics to successfully officiate at such an important event like a funeral.

It is very important for a funeral celebrant to get to know the history of the deceased and the significant events in their life. Immediate family, friends and work colleagues can be helpful in providing this information. Being able to structure the flow of the service and fitting in with the funeral director, his or her staff and the cemetery or crematorium procedures, is also an important skill.

But most importantly the funeral celebrant must conduct the funeral service in a way which not only befits the deceased but also gives some comfort to the immediate family and those who have been affected by the death the most.

Words and the way they are spoken are very powerful tools, especially during times of high emotion, sadness and loss. The funeral celebrant must prepare properly for each and every service and make absolutely sure that the family’s and the deceased’s wishes are respected and carried out in the most professional and dignified way possible.

Empathy is a very important quality for a funeral celebrant, but at the same time the celebrant must keep a professional detachment from the work at hand and by so doing maintain his or her objectivity.

A strong yet soothing and reassuring tone is also a skill which successful funeral celebrants have worked to master.

Most importantly, the funeral celebrant will deliver the words and sentiments which, in many cases, the family may not be in the emotional state to do.

Funeral Celebrant Choice

Your funeral director may work closely with several funeral celebrants who he or she can reccommend. Alternatively, you are able to choose your own celebrant, and many people use the same celebrant for marriage, naming ceremonies and funerals, as they have built up a special rapport with that person. The most important consideration is a funeral celebrant you feel comfortable with, and who is prepared to listen to you and act on your wishes. However, it is also important to choose a celebrant who has experience and specific qualifications in funeral celebrancy.

You might also consider placing a funeral notice on www.obits.com.au. Your funeral celebrant or funeral director should be able to assist you in this process, however you are able to place a notice directly online if this is not the case. Simply click here to place a notice.

To find a funeral celebrant in your local area, please search our funeral industry directory