a safe pair of hands: The Funeral Celebrant Accord 

What Does the Funeral Celebrant Accord Say?

The Funeral Celebrant Accord defines the attributes and skills required of an excellent funeral celebrant and is intended to set the standards by which all celebrants offering funeral services should be measured. The role of a funeral celebrant is to serve the bereaved and their community by creating and leading a personal, accurate and respectful funeral ceremony.

Their work should clearly reflect the life, values and beliefs of the person who has died, acknowledge and give time to their community of family and friends, and create an environment in which the grieving process can be held and supported. An excellent funeral celebrant:

Is professional

I am easy to contact; I am friendly, approachable, and communicate well with fellow professionals.

I am prompt, reliable, efficient and organised. I am able to remain open and empathetic, at the same time as recognising the professional stance necessary to lead the funeral appropriately.

I have excellent computer and IT skills that support effective communication and produce professional looking scripts that can be offered as keepsakes.

I am GDPR aware and compliant; work confidentially, and have Personal Liability Insurance and Indemnity Insurance.

I am well groomed and appropriately dressed.

Cares for their clients

I offer to visit you in your home , and give as much time as is needed for the interview and to create the funeral ceremony.

I am inclusive, flexible and non-judgemental.

I engender trust through openness, sensitivity and confidentiality.

I am willing to involve family and friends in creating the funeral, and offer to send the script for approval before the funeral.

I meet and greet my clients at the venue, and am available immediately after the funeral ceremony.

I understand that a successful funeral is one that serves and supports the bereaved and reflect the life, values and beliefs of the person who has died.

Is calm and shows natural leadership

I have a calm and reassuring presence, providing gentle leadership without seeking to be the centre of attention.

I am a clear, confident and engaging speaker with a range of pace and intonation.

I am responsive to what is happening in the room and the environment, and am able to think on my feet and adapt where necessary.

Writes personalised ceremonies

Every ceremony is unique, and created following a detailed and extensive interview with the relevant family and community of the person who has died, whenever possible.

Every ceremony draws out and encourages the family’s own tastes in culture and literature, using my own knowledge and resources as appropriate.

Every ceremony is meaningful, inspiring and well structured, with a script that accurately reflects the life, values and beliefs of the person who has died.

Every ceremony includes language and ritual that is appropriate to the family they serve.

Cares about their self-development

I am on a continuing path of personal and professional development to keep informing and improving the profound and varied demands of celebrancy work.

For more information, see The Funeral Celebrancy Council