What Are Celebrants?

You might have heard of celebrants when discussing funerals, memorials and cremation services in Davenport, IA, but do you know what they are, or what they do? Don’t worry if you don’t – you’re not alone! This article will give you the basics on celebrants and what they can do for you. 

A funeral celebrant is a qualified Master of Ceremonies that helps to officiate funeral and cremation services by planning, overseeing and carrying out the proceedings. They can host both religious and non-religious services. They are called celebrants because most people aim for the funeral service to be a celebration of the deceased’s life. This celebratory approach puts more emphasis on a life well lived, unique traits, and special memories rather than grief and loss. A celebrant can help you craft unique funeral services with substance, personalization and meaning. You should hire a funeral celebrant if you want someone to take charge of hosting and speaking during the funeral or memorial. 

Celebrants are more flexible and open to new things that traditional funeral hosts like ministers or priests, so you can add more customization to the service. A celebrant can also help you come up with ideas for this customization. This help can be very meaningful during a difficult time of loss. While most funeral homes can recommend a celebrant, it’s a good idea to also do some research on your own. Make a list of possibilities, do some Googling, then call each one to get your questions answered. If you need more information, feel free to meet with your options in person to get a better feel for what they can bring to the table. 

During your first meeting with a potential celebrant, explain what kind of cremation you want, and how much you’d like him to be involved in the proceedings. While vetting potential celebrants, think about and ask the following questions to get a better idea of what they offer: 

• What’s the best way to reach you? How often are you available? 
  
• Can you provide me with a funeral script? 
  
• Can I have referrals from previous clients? 
  
• Do you have any additional fees? 
  
• Do you make house calls? 
  
• How much do you charge? 
  
• How often to you host cremation services? How many a week? 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, as the right celebrant will be more than willing to help out in any way he can. Remember, your celebrant is there to help you, and should therefore be willing to work with you to develop the funeral services you want. Hiring a funeral celebrant is an out-of-the-box way to make sure your loved one’s funeral or cremation service is unique, celebratory and respectful. There are celebrants for hire all over Iowa and Illinois, but not every celebrant is a good choice. 

If you want more information on celebrants or would like a local recommendation from people who really know the business, contact Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory. We offer reliable Davenport, IA cremation services and funeral services, and would be happy to give you a recommendation.