What does a celebrant do? The heart behind weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies.

Alison Snow Celebrant
Oct 23
4 min read

At the centre of every meaningful moment in life, love, loss, and new beginnings, stands a celebrant, ready to craft words and moments that truly reflect the people at their heart.

Whether it’s a wedding, a funeral, or a naming ceremony, a celebrant brings empathy, creativity, and care to every occasion, ensuring that what’s said, felt, and remembered is authentic and deeply personal.

Here’s a closer look at what a celebrant does, and how they help make life’s most important ceremonies truly special.

Weddings: Bringing Your Love Story to Life

Your wedding day is one of the most significant moments of your life, and your ceremony should feel every bit as unique as your love story. That’s exactly where a celebrant-led wedding shines.

The process begins with an initial meeting between the celebrant and the couple, an open, friendly conversation to discover your personalities, how you met, what you love about each other, and what you hope your ceremony will feel like. From there, your celebrant begins crafting a ceremony that reflects you both perfectly.

Often, a visit to your chosen venue follows, to get a feel for the space and discuss practicalities such as layout, sound, timing, and the flow of the ceremony. Draft versions of your personalised ceremony script will go back and forth between you, allowing plenty of time for tweaks and additions until everything feels just right.

Your celebrant will also stay connected throughout the process, via emails, follow-up calls, or even another in-person catch-up. They’ll liaise directly with your wedding planner, photographer, or venue host, ensuring everyone is aligned and that the running order on the day goes perfectly.

On your wedding day itself, your celebrant isn’t just there to deliver words, they’re there to hold the space, calm nerves, bring joy, and set the tone for a ceremony that feels unforgettable.

A celebrant’s aim is simple: to make sure the moment you say “I do” feels natural, heartfelt, and uniquely yours.

Funerals: Honouring a Life with Dignity and Love

A funeral celebrant plays a deeply important role, helping families create a ceremony that honours the life, personality, and legacy of their loved one in a meaningful, compassionate way.

While funeral directors often work closely with celebrants, families have the freedom to choose their own celebrant, and simply inform the funeral director of their decision. This ensures the person leading the ceremony is someone who feels right for you and your family.

The process begins with a meeting with the next-of-kin, where the celebrant listens carefully and sensitively to stories about the person who has died, their character, life journey, achievements, quirks, and the people they loved. Every detail matters, helping the celebrant understand who they truly were.

After this meeting, the celebrant will draft the ceremony script and eulogy, weaving together memories, tributes, readings, and chosen music. Some families prefer to write their own eulogies, which the celebrant can incorporate seamlessly into the Order of Service.

The script is then shared with the next-of-kin for review and approval, allowing for any amendments. Once finalised, the celebrant prepares for the day, printing the script or uploading it to a tablet, ensuring that every word is delivered as agreed and with great care.

On the day of the funeral, the celebrant conducts the ceremony with warmth, empathy, and composure. Whether at a crematorium, cemetery, or natural burial site, they work closely with funeral directors and staff to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Every element, from the opening words to the final farewell, is handled with thoughtfulness and respect, creating a service that truly celebrates a life lived and loved.

Naming Ceremonies: Welcoming New Beginnings

A naming ceremony is a joyful celebration, a way to officially welcome a new person into a family or community with love, hope, and happiness.

It might be a ceremony for a new baby, a newly adopted child, or even an adult affirming their identity through a gender affirmation ceremony. Each one is deeply personal and full of meaning.

The celebrant will meet with the parents, guardians, or individual to understand their story, their hopes, dreams, and wishes for the future. From there, they’ll craft a bespoke ceremony filled with warmth and individuality.

If the celebration takes place at home, in a garden, park, or hired venue, the celebrant will often visit beforehand or liaise with the host to make sure everything is perfectly arranged. The ceremony may include readings, promises, blessings, or symbolic elements such as candle lighting, tree planting, or time capsule rituals.

Whether it’s the laughter of family gathered around a child, or the empowering joy of someone stepping into their true self, a celebrant ensures every detail, big and small, reflects love and authenticity.

The Celebrant’s Promise

Across weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies, the celebrant’s role is to listen, understand, and then create a ceremony that captures the heart of the moment.

Behind the scenes, celebrants work closely with venues, planners, photographers, and funeral directors, quietly managing the details so that you can focus on what truly matters: the emotion, the connection, and the memory being made.

Every ceremony, no matter the occasion, deserves to be personal, heartfelt, and full of meaning. That’s what a celebrant brings, the time, care, and attention needed to make each moment truly unforgettable.

If you’d like to know more about creating a ceremony that reflects your story, your values, and your heart, I’d love to help. Whether you’re planning a wedding, organising a farewell, or celebrating new life, get in touch today to discuss your ideas and see how we can make your ceremony truly personal.