Frequently Asked Questions
Who can conduct a funeral service?
Funerals have no legal status, so anyone can lead a funeral ceremony if they wish. Acting as a celebrant for a funeral of a family member or close friend can be a very meaningful gesture, but it is, of course, an enormous responsibility, and being able to hold your composure is essential. Most families seek professional assistance in the form of a funeral celebrant, such as myself.
What is the role of an Independent Funeral Celebrant?
An Independent Celebrant is not part of any religious organisation or belief system and can perform services with no religious content at all, or with some religious content such as prayers and readings, the choice is yours. The emphasis is on what you and your family want from the funeral service, and it is my role to help in the funeral planning and officiating funeral proceedings.
As your Independent Celebrant, I:
Will help develop a structure for the ceremony and guide you in what to include
Can be very flexible about the form the funeral will take
Will take charge of the main speaking role in a funeral service
When we discuss the service, where will we meet?
The initial meeting can take place in your home, or over a video. I want you to feel comfortable and calm in the space, and at ease to allow your emotions to show during an understandably upsetting time.
Will you help with writing eulogies?
I would usually expect to write and deliver the eulogy myself on your behalf, but I will happily step aside if a member of the family is keen to do either or both themselves, or partially with my help. It can be very healing to write down you memories
Can someone from the family speak at the service?
Yes, they can. There is no set rule as to who is or is not allowed to speak during the ceremony, but this can often be an upsetting and challenging time for the family. If, for any reason, a family member was unable to perform their full speech during the ceremony, I shall continue this for them.
What if I cry during the ceremony?
Everyone shows their emotions differently and it can be healthy to cry at a funeral – don’t feel embarrassed.
