It might be that you’ve heard the term “celebrant”, but you aren’t aware of what one is or what we can do for you, so let me answer some frequently asked questions. If there’s anything I haven’t covered, then feel free to contact me.

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Where did the idea of civil celebrants begin?

Civil celebrants began in Australia in 1973, after the ruling Labour Party inaugurated its first ever independent Civil Marriage Celebrant, a lady called Lois D’Arcy.

The Australian Government noticed that the numbers in church congregations were declining and decided the time was right to have a ceremony that reflected people’s own choices and preferences, initially this was only for weddings. Civil funerals and Civil Funeral Celebrants evolved naturally from this.

 

What does a funeral celebrant do?

A funeral celebrant will work with your Funeral Director to make sure that your loved one receives the best funeral possible, something that is fitting and a celebration of their life .A funeral celebrant, will create and conduct the funeral service for you, according to your wishes. We can offer help and advice on the structure of the service, music, poetry and making sure it properly represents your loved one.

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Will the service be religious?

If you want to include a religious element, then you absolutely can! This might be in the form of a prayer or a hymn. As a funeral celebrant, I’m here to put together the type of service that best celebrates your loved one. If you don’t want to include hymns and prayers then you don’t have to, a civil ceremony isn’t anti-religious, it’s a ceremony for everyone and should properly reflect who your loved one was.

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Do I have to do anything during the service?

It is totally up to you, some families like to ask a friend or relative to read a poem or deliver the eulogy and if that’s what you want to do, then that is absolutely fine, I am on hand just in case on the day it feels a bit overwhelming. Some people feel that the occasion is too emotional and would rather I deliver everything on their behalf and again, that is absolutely fine, I can read your chosen poems and deliver the eulogy. The service is something we will plan together.

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What's the difference between a funeral celebrant, a religious leader and a humanist minister?

A religious leader will be associated with a specific faith and place of worship. A humanist celebrant does not have any religious beliefs and the service will have no religious context. A funeral celebrant conducts civil funerals and is not affiliated to any organisation or religion, their services can contain some religious elements.