The death of a family member or friend is always a very difficult experience, so a funeral service must be handled with care and respect. As independent celebrants, we create ceremonies that honour and celebrate each person’s life, working closely with those planning the funeral to ensure that their wishes are met.
Celebrant-led funeral and memorial services are unique and carefully written, designed to create a cathartic and memorable experience for everybody present. A funeral service allows friends and relatives to celebrate the life of the person they have lost, focusing on everything that made that person unique.
Funeral or celebration of life?
The word ‘funeral’ is often used as an all-encompassing term for what is essentially two separate processes: a memorial service (often called a ‘celebration of life ceremony’) and the committal of the body.
In the UK, a traditional funeral involves a ceremony at a crematorium or in a religious building, followed by a burial or cremation. But some choose to make these two processes separate occasions, holding a smaller committal with a few select people, and then holding a memorial service for other guests to attend. A celebrant can work with you to plan and conduct either or both of these occasions.
In addition, a growing number of people are now choosing natural burials (often called woodland burials) as we become more environmentally aware. The ethos behind a natural burial is to return the body to the earth in a natural way with an environmentally friendly burial or interment of ashes. Ceremonies can then take place by the graveside, and many sites also provide indoor options for ceremonies if needed.
Direct cremation celebrations of life
Saying goodbye to special friends and loved ones is a very important life event. A ‘Direct Funeral’ may fulfil the desires and objectives of a funeral, however it does not always provide the uniqueness and spiritual support that is needed to help you and others to come to terms with a loss. Holding a service to celebrate the life of a loved one, whether on the day of the funeral or at another time, can not only help with the healing process it gives those left behind the chance to remember all the things that made that person who they were.
Every person has a story to tell and with an AOIC independent celebrant you can be sure that those special moments, amusing anecdotes, and all the things that made a person unique are shared during an end-of-life celebration.
Perhaps they were a sports or music fan? Did you know that you can hold a celebration at many music or sports venues? Maybe they loved sci-fi, or perhaps they were more reserved and liked the idea of the intimacy afforded with a smaller end of life gathering?
Using your imagination and the wishes of the deceased will allow a celebrant to write a unique and respectful service to celebrate a life lived, remembering someone with a smile and fondness.
Visit the AOIC directory at www.independentcelebrants.com/directory to find a celebrant in your area.
Whichever way you choose to say goodbye, a celebrant will work with you to craft a fitting service. Celebrants conduct funerals at both crematoriums and natural burial grounds, and can officiate celebration of life ceremonies in any location you choose.
Religious or secular?
In our increasingly secular society, bereaved families need more choice about a funeral service. They want a celebration focusing on their loved one and reflecting on that person’s life and beliefs. But that is not to say that celebrant-led funerals must be secular; on the contrary, many people like to include prayers, hymns or rituals as part of the service, so a celebrant works closely with families to ensure the content is just right for them.
Members of the Association of Independent Celebrants come from many different backgrounds and are trained in creating non-religious, semi-religious, new age or holistic funeral services.
How does it work?
When a celebrant is put in touch with a family, either by direct contact or via a funeral director, their first step is to visit the family to find out as much as they can about the person’s life and begin the process of planning the ceremony. This first meeting requires the celebrant to demonstrate a high level of empathy and excellent listening skills (essential skills for celebrants). The celebrant’s job is to listen, support, recommend and advise, but not to dictate.
Equipped with a wide range of poems and readings from biblical, literary and philosophical sources, the celebrant designs the words of the service based on the individual, and guides the family with tact and care through the final funeral experience.
How do I find a celebrant?
If you employ a funeral director then they will likely have a list of tried and trusted celebrants and will be happy to put you in touch with someone. However, you are not confined to the person they recommend and are free to work with any celebrant you choose. You may wish to visit the AOIC celebrant directory to find the right person for you amongst our membership.
All our members are expected to follow the AOIC core values of best practice to ensure they always deliver a professional service to the highest standards. They are also fully covered by public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
Finding the right celebrant is important, so ask some questions and go with your instinct when it says: ‘this is the celebrant for us’. A good celebrant will listen to what you want, provide plenty of ideas, write you a ceremony as per your wishes, and work with you until it is perfect. And finally, they will conduct your ceremony with respect, professionalism and warmth.
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