In 1973 a great Australian legislator, Senator Lionel Murphy, established Marriage Celebrants. Persons were appointed to give their clients the ceremony the client wanted - and never to impose on anyone any element of a ceremony the client did not ask for or approve. Funeral Celebrants evolved as a natural consequence of this program not only throughout Australia but also in the UK, New Zealand and in the USA.

It became very clear to the first Funeral Celebrants what those who had lost a loved one wanted. This was, and still is, a carefully composed personal ceremony - words and music which pay proper and adequate tribute to the person who has died. They discovered that to do justice to this task, many hours must be spent in preparation.

FUNERAL CELEBRANTS - HOW IT WORKS
The essential information needed is mainly gained in an unhurried interview with the family. (if the family is paying an hourly rate a number of interviews are possible, say, with other relatives or friends.)

Once informed, the celebrant must then go about the creative writing of the eulogy, carefully selecting the most appropriate quotes of literature, and, usually in cooperation with the funeral director, making provision for selections of music which have been specially chosen by the family. Even with a great deal of preparation, no ceremony is delivered by our graduates or experienced colleagues, unless every detail of the eulogy is carefully checked with the family to ensure that it is accurate. Other eulogists are also welcomed by the celebrant. Eulogists rarely "clash".

Then, with compassion, sincerity and care (the normal result of such careful preparation), the celebrant officiates at the funeral ceremony, usually at the home, special place, funeral parlour, crematorium or cemetery -.
After the funeral, or before, the celebrant presents to the family a complete copy of the ceremony as delivered. These days this is done by email.

OUR GRADUATES AND COLLEGE ASSOCATION MEMBERS
The funeral celebrants associated with the International College of Celebrancy have usually been drawn to this work by a strong realisation that this is a task which needs to be done - and done well. Many have experienced grief themselves and have felt that the funerals they had attended were not always satisfactory or helpful.

All are convinced that at the end of a person's life the tribute we pay deserves to be the best that human skill can present.

Nothing can take away the shock of death, but a genuine, well prepared tribute eases the pain. The recollection of a truly personal ceremony is a constant consolation.

We welcome enquiries about our work. Clients may contact any celebrant listed in this website or ring college Funeral Celebrant Neil Dorward (contact details on home page) . Different celebrants suit different people. We want our clients to have the celebrant and the ceremony which is most appropriate for their needs.

NO RELIGION OR RELIGION
The starting point for all celebrant funerals is secular, i.e. non-religious. The more important principle is that the words said express and celebrate the life of the person who has died, and, if that person had beliefs and ideals, these will be reflected in the ceremony.

Most celebrant Funerals are completely secular and non-religious but, if the client request it, It is quite common for celebrant funerals to contain times of silence, the Lord's Prayer, the 23rd Psalm and similar, if, and only if, the family of the person who has died specifically requests it.

FEES
In most western countries, Funeral Celebrants receive a pittance fixed by,or doled out by, the Funeral Director. Because Funeral Celebrants love the work, or believe in it, many accept this , but standards at the low rate set by Funeral Direcotors, soon fall, good celebrants leave the work, or in the worst cases they burn out from overwork, in an unfair system.

Funeral Celebrants are not supported by any religious or other organisation. They are in the same position as your Funeral Director or any other professional or tradesperson. They are independent professionals in a caring profession with all the overheads and expenses of any business person. Our Celebrants are unstinting in their time with a bereaved family when they prepare for a ceremony. It is work involving care and skill: often done out-of-hours. It is time consuming and emotionally draining.

I have observed that the few who charge an hourly rate advertise between £30 and ($55 to $190 in Australia) per hour depending on their qualifications and experience. Ball park time for funeral preparation and delivery is between 10 and 30 hours. The hours spent covers most funerals but is only a guideline. Estimate of what these would cost is about £300-600 per funeral ceremony. Hourly rate clebrants have never been given work by any Funeral Director - in my experience.

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Enquiries Neil Dorward (contact details on home page), Countries other than the UK to Celebrants Centre office +61 3 9419 0460, Information about our Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy .

Dally Messenger III
Principal

© D Messenger 1995-2009

THERE IS NO SHORT CUT TO A GOOD FUNERAL
It takes hours of preparation, planning and checking. Make sure you free your celebrant to spend the time she needs by paying an hourly rate - it is the only fair way.