Working with me
What to expect
Working with a funeral celebrant comes at a difficult time.
The challenges that arise when someone close dies can make meeting and working with a celebrant feel daunting.
With enough already on your plate, you don’t need the uncertainty of not knowing what happens next.
This guide might give you a reassuring idea of the steps I follow…
Step-by-step – from first contact to after the ceremony
01 – Getting in contact
I’m usually contacted by your chosen funeral director.
And I aim to call you (their client) within 24-72h of this contact to arrange a date and time to meet.
(Their client becomes my client. And I liaise with the funeral director throughout.)
02 – Your meeting options
Our options include:
- Face-to-face (in a place best for you);
- Over the phone;
- On Zoom, Teams, or another service.
We may also ‘meet’ by email, if you’d prefer. Although this will be much less personal.
Feel free to invite anyone you wish to join us.
03 – Preparing for our meeting
I’ll stay in touch with your funeral director and call the venue to double-check how much time we have for the ceremony.
To help you prepare, you might get a chance to flick through:
Inside, you’ll find an overview of our meeting – from the types of questions you might get asked to readings, music, and personalising the ceremony.
04 – Our meeting
You can expect me to be on time – if I think I’m running late, I’ll call you.
Once you feel settled, we’ll move through our meeting at your own pace and direction and:
- Confirm the details (like date and time, location of the ceremony);
- Discuss the ceremony (what you’d like to include and ways to personalise);
- Spend some time with stories and memories of the person you’ve lost.
You may share with me as much or as little as you’re comfortable.Our meeting may be recorded to assist with notetaking.
Please allow 2 hours.
05 – After our meeting
Once back at the office, I’ll call your funeral director to let them know we’ve met and update them on anything pertinent that we’ve discussed.
I won’t start writing or bringing any part of the ceremony together straight away. I like to let things mull and spend some time with the memories, stories and wishes shared.
For you, maybe don’t arrange anything too taxing for immediately afterwards and take some time for yourself.
06 – Bringing the ceremony together
It can take me up to a week to write and bring the ceremony fully together.
This time is also for the family to write their tributes, if applicable.
If you (or someone else) are writing the eulogy and/or tributes. I’ll require a copy at least 48h before the ceremony so I may seamlessly slot them in and ensure we remain to time.
I’m available throughout this period.
07 – Getting the ceremony right
Once the ceremony has been written, I’ll call you to let you know. You can have me read through the ceremony or send you a copy to read in your own time.
Feel free to tweak bits as you see necessary.
08 – Day before the ceremony
On the last working day before the ceremony, I’ll call you to check in and run through the ceremony, if needed.
I’ll also call your funeral director to confirm how the ceremony will proceed.
For you, do what’s best for you. Only you’ll know how to get through the day.
09 – Ceremony day
I’ll arrive at the venue 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. This is so I can prepare myself and (once able) prepare the hall for us.
I’ll look out for you and try to meet and reassure those participating. (I can read on their behalf if they feel unable to do so.)
Mourners should aim to arrive roughly 15m early.
NOTE: Road access to many cemeteries & crematoria can be a nightmare. Please check how to get there and give yourself plenty of time to arrive.
Once the ceremony has finished, I’ll wait with your funeral director until you’re ready to leave.
The days that follow will be personal to you.
Assistance, support, understanding, compassion, and companionship is out there.
Do reach out if you need…
For further information…
Send me a message…
