How to find a funeral celebrant

What a celebrant does

A funeral celebrant leads a ceremony that isn't run by a religious minister. They meet the family, learn about the person, shape the order of service, help with or write the eulogy, and lead the ceremony on the day. Many also help with readings, music and rituals.

Finding one

Your funeral director can usually suggest celebrants they work with. You can also ask friends, or look for independent celebrants near you. Most are happy to have a short call before you book, so you can hear whether they feel right for your family.

Questions to ask

• How do you get to know the person? A meeting, a call, a questionnaire?
• Will you write the eulogy, or help us write and deliver our own?
• Can you include our customs, faith elements or a particular language?
• What is your fee, and what does it include?
• Have you led services at our venue before?

What to prepare

• A short timeline of their life: where they grew up, work, family, places that mattered.
• Three or four specific stories, and things they always said.
• Music, readings or poems you'd like, and who might speak.
• Anything to avoid mentioning.

Working on the eulogy

Celebrants often say the best eulogies come from small, specific stories. Our guide on how to write a eulogy has a simple structure, and the free eulogy writer can turn your memories into a first draft to take to your celebrant.