Funeral Celebrants Are Personalization Experts

What is a funeral celebrant?

A funeral celebrant works with a family to create a personalized memorial tailored to the personality and preferences of a loved one. These professionals coordinate, host and officiate services.

People may think of a funeral celebrant as a secular role—someone who plans and conducts a service that isn’t religious in nature. However, this isn’t always the case. A funeral celebrant can preside over any type of ceremony, secular or religious. Even the most traditional of funerals may include celebrants to help create special elements that tell unique stories.

Planning and hosting a funeral may feel overwhelming while you’re processing and grieving a loss. This is where a celebrant comes in. Along with the funeral director, a celebrant offers support and guidance throughout the process of planning and hosting your event, easing the burden on you and your family.

Whether it’s a more solemn, traditional service, a celebration of life party or something in between, a celebrant will work to meet your needs and vision for your event.

In most cases, a celebrant’s role includes:

• Providing guidance and support from your first meeting until the end of the ceremony
• Creating a safe, comfortable space for you and your loved ones to share your needs and preferences
• Getting to know your family and ensuring your wishes are carried out
• Designing a personalized remembrance that reflects your loved one’s personality and tastes
• Keeping you informed throughout the planning process, so you never feel left out or overwhelmed
• Preparing a message that beautifully honors your loved one
• Outlining the service’s structure and timeline to ensure no detail is missed and no moments are rushed
• Orchestrating and officiating a one-of-a-kind ceremony that celebrates your loved one’s life

Celebrant and celebration of life go hand in hand

In comparison to traditional funerals and memorial services, celebrations of life are typically more upbeat occasions that highlight a loved one’s passions and interests and the positive impact they had on their loved ones and community.

And unlike most funeral services, celebrations of life don’t necessarily adhere to a specific structure or involve specific rituals. The event can be completely customized. You may choose to play music your loved one enjoyed, have some of their favorite book passages or Bible verses read aloud, cater a meal of their favorite foods, include a display of their most treasured items and photos, or set aside time for guests to share their favorite memories and stories. The elements you choose can highlight your loved one’s hobbies, interests, profession or beliefs. A celebrant takes information about your loved one and any ideas you have and designs a meaningful memorial around them.

Although the terms celebrant and celebration of life may seem synonymous, very traditional families also hire celebrants. A pastor, priest or funeral officiant may conduct the funeral service, while the celebrant helps the family incorporate personal details into other aspects of the memorial. In some situations, a pastor or priest may not be involved, and a celebrant will oversee some aspects of the service, such as readings or lead friends and family in singing a favorite song or hymn.

Are a celebrant, officiant and funeral director the same?

Although celebrants, officiants and funeral directors may share some duties, they fill distinct, separate roles.

A celebrant's versatile role encompasses being a storyteller, service leader, officiant, guide, producer, writer, emcee, speaker, presenter and master of ceremonies.

Anyone who officiates a service can be called an officiant, including spiritual or religious leaders, such as pastors and rabbis. An officiant’s role can encompass some or all of the same elements as that of a celebrant.

A funeral director is professionally trained to support a family who has lost a loved one and coordinates all aspects of the burial or cremation process, including filing for a death certificate and securing permits. He or she also helps the family plan a viewing, if desired, as well as the funeral, memorial or celebration of life.

Why hire a funeral celebrant?

In general, services planned by a funeral celebrant differ from traditional services. While many traditional services focus on religious customs and traditions, funeral celebrants turn the focus to the person being honored. A funeral celebrant can help you navigate an emotional, unfamiliar situation and craft a ceremony that memorializes your loved one in a way that feels right for your family.

Consider hiring a celebrant in the following situations:

• You need help personalizing a funeral service and you’re not sure how to do it.
• You want someone who can guide family and friends through the service.
• You’re looking for someone to act as an officiant and the main speaker at a memorial.
• You’re looking for ways for guests to participate and honor your loved one.

A funeral celebrant will meet with you and your family to help plan a very personal event. This approach emphasizes the details that made someone special. A celebrant may ask you to share your favorite memories of your dad or funny stories about your mom. A celebrant will take the time to get to know what your loved one valued—and what others valued about them.

A funeral celebrant may suggest meaningful ways to showcase your loved one's interests. For instance, if your father was a mechanic who chose a cemetery burial, a celebrant might suggest displaying his well-worn tools at the service and having a few attendees place them inside his casket. If your aunt was an environmentalist who chose human composting, the celebrant might suggest guests take home glass jars filled with soil to spread in their gardens.

No matter the details, the celebrant will encourage you to take an active role in creating your loved one’s story. Even before the service, the conversations and reflections facilitated by the celebrant can be an important part of the healing process. The loss of a loved one can bring unavoidable sadness, but simply having the opportunity to talk and reminisce with someone can make the emotional journey a little easier. Your discussions also reveal important information about your loved one’s life, which can inform the event in ways big and small.

Celebrating each life like no other

Dignity Memorial^® planners understand that no two lives are the same—and a funeral service should reflect that. Our celebrants and officiants help you create meaningful and memorable services that reflect the beliefs and passions of your loved one and your family.

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