Please find below some helpful answers to commonly asked questions. But if you don’t see the question you want answered, feel free to email or call me for an answer.
Q What is the difference between a Registrar and an Independent Celebrant?
A Registrar is employed by the local council to legally register deaths, births and marriages. They will be restricted by law in what they can offer you.
An Independent Celebrant however can create a truly unique and bespoke ceremony for you. I will normally meet with you to understand what type of ceremony you would like to have. A Celebrant ceremony can be more relaxed. You can choose whatever music, poems or readings you would like and involve family members and friends as you wish.
Q What is a Civil Funeral Ceremony?
A Civil Funeral Ceremony is about celebrating the life and personality of a loved one.
It often takes place at a crematorium or non religious burial site. I can also do a memorial ceremony or burial of ashes after a funeral.
The ceremony can be non-religious or contain religious elements such as hymns, readings or prayers. It can also include elements of different faiths.
Q What is the role of a Funeral Celebrant?
As a civil funeral celebrant I meet with the family and friends of a person who has passed away. My focus will be on the service and how to use that time to pay tribute to your loved one.
During our discussion we will put in place an order of service, as well as creating a eulogy or tribute to be read at the funeral. As your celebrant, I would usually lead the service, standing at the front and addressing the congregation as well as inviting up anyone you have chosen to partake in offering readings, prayers or music.
My main role as your celebrant is to carry out the wishes of the loved one, their family and friends
Q What areas do you cover?
I generally cover anywhere in South Yorkshire, however if the funeral is to be outside of there and you would still like me to be your celebrant, then please get in touch as I am happy to travel further upon request.
Q Where shall we meet and who should attend?
The meeting is generally held at your home, but can if you prefer be held at your funeral directors premises. Anyone you feel was close to your loved one can attend whether family or friend. The meeting will typically take around 2 hours.
Q Can I prepare for the visit in any way?
I have listed below a few things that if thought about prior to our meeting will really help to give me an insight into the life of your loved one.
- Any poems, music, readings or prayers that you would like to include
- The names of anyone that played a significant part in their life or were close to them
- Significant Events – Date of Birth, where they were born, any marriage or children
- Where they lived and worked
- Their interests, hobbies and achievements
- Any words that describe them as a person
- Any humorous stories or anecdotes, even if you choose not to use them in the service
- What they will be most remembered for including any particular things they would say
- Whether they had any beliefs, religious or not or held any opinions on life and death
- Most importantly talk to me about them and their life story
Q What can I include in the funeral service – what is allowed?
There are very few restrictions on what you can have at a civil funeral, so I would advise you to be as creative as possible with the additional touches to offer your loved one the very best final farewell that they would have wanted. You can choose poems, readings, music, and hymns, prayers etc. As an Independent Celebrant, I can include a prayer, religious reading or blessing if you wish and a family member can deliver it for you. (Note a Humanist Celebrant will not be able to include anything religious within your ceremony).
Q What happens on the day of the funeral?
I will be at the venue waiting for you and will have already liaised with you and your funeral director about the how we shall enter. The service as already agreed in advance will then take place. After the service I will be close by with your funeral director for a short while should you have any questions at all.
Q How long will the service last?
The funeral service usually lasts between 25 and 45 minutes. If you feel you may need more time you should speak with your Funeral Director about booking this for you.
Q What does the celebrant wear?
I generally wear a black or dark smart outfit (or if you prefer a more casual look for the overall service I can wear other clothes. And if you wish to have a colour theme for the service with the guests included, I would be honoured to incorporate any specific colours you would like, and would generally do this by way of a scarf or specific colour top. We can discuss those options at our meeting.
Q What are your fees?
My fees depend on the date and location. Please contact me if you would like a quote. I usually have a fixed price package for the funeral – the only other charges being for travel expenses. Memorial services will be similarly priced.
Q What are the next steps?
I can be contacted by email at goultyfiona@gmail.com or by calling me on 07727 212069.
Should I not be able to answer at any time then please leave me a voicemail. If you would prefer not to leave a message then feel free to send me a text and I will call you at my first opportunity.
I can then tell you my availability for your chosen date, and we can then arrange to meet or have a zoom call together to chat through the type and content of ceremony you would like. This is a no obligation call and gives you the chance to decide if you would like to work with me.
I will send you a booking form and a deposit will secure the date for you with the balance due just before the funeral.