Funeral Celebrants, also called Officiants or Ceremonialists, are professionals who provide master-of-ceremony services at funerals and memorials. They work closely with family/friends of the deceased to create ceremonies that are highly personalized and intentional. 

Celebrants offer an alternative to clergy persons, who are typically obtained through a church. People who are not associated with a church oftentimes don't know where to turn for the support of trained, compassionate Celebrants. 

This course is helpful to anyone who is coordinating the services of a loved one. It is an excellent addition for death doulas and deathworkers who would like to add a skill and service to their toolbelt. It  is also appropriate for Funeral Directors who find themselves standing in as Celebrants and would like to enrich the skills that they spontaneously employ.  

Topics Covered:

• History: Celebrants & Ceremony  

• Philosophy: Why funerals are critical for grief (and the compound grief of bad funerals)

• Logistics: Venue, location, coordination, invitations

• Gathering: Interviewing family & friends 

• Community Involvement: Open mic, tech, slideshows, music)

• Art: Literature & Music 

• Writing: Crafting Custom Ceremonies (including eulogies)

• Business: Defining Your Scope of Practice, Public Speaking Basics, Booking and Payment