Choosing a Celebrant to conduct the funeral of your loved one gives you more choice as to the content, the readings, music and words. 

As a Celebrant, I can include hymns, prayers, bible readings or references to the afterlife if so desired. Equally, there need be no mention of religion whatsoever if this is your preferred option.

Many people confuse a Humanist and a Celebrant …. a Humanist is an atheist and will not include religious references at all.

Celebrancy began in Australia in 1973 and, since then, the rest of the world has slowly begun to realise that funerals should reflect what the family want, which is not necessarily the traditional ‘one size fits all’ religious funeral. The first Civil Funeral was conducted in the UK around the year 2000.

The funeral service is your last chance to honour your loved one, and the way that service is planned and executed is, as it should be, your / their choice.

The following poem puts into words, perfectly, what we do.

What Is A Celebrant?
Written By Gwyn Davies

Celebrant, Celebrant, what is it you do?
I’m a little old fashioned and haven’t a clue.
Celebrant, Celebrant, what is it you do?
Are you religious, or is that taboo?

Who is your target, where is your goal?
I’m a little confused, as to what is your role.
Are you religious, or the atheist sort,
I’m a bit in the dark and need to be taught. 

Well let me enlighten, I’ll try and explain,
I’m there as a person to try ease the pain.
It isn’t about me or any belief,
I try help the loved ones to help with their grief.

There’s more than two options, to help people through,
So I’ll try and explain, what us Celebrants do.
We take an approach, with a personal touch,
For loved ones in need of the help for a crutch.

Some aren’t religious, but still want a prayer,
Or even a hymn, and we’re happy to share.
It just doesn’t matter what our belief,
We’ll use an approach, that helps bring relief.

So as you can see, it’s not black or white,
We offer a service that we just try make right.
Right for the person, whose life has passed on,
And try help those hurting, as their loved one has gone.

We tick all the boxes, some people say,
We try make it special, in our own unique way.
Times are a changing, changing so fast,
We must try move forward, not stuck in the past.

To help and bring comfort, is our real aim,
Each service is special, no two the same
Happy to meet to discuss what we do
At a time or a place chosen by you