Understanding funeral celebrancy and why it's growing in popularity
By Helen Baumer
A few years ago, a Swiss colleague of mine, a funeral celebrant who has been working in the profession for over 20 years now, travelled with a mourning family into the mountains of Graubünden. The family was grieving a 30-year-old son, brother and nephew who had died in these beautiful surroundings.
Led by my colleague, the whole group made their way up the mountain to the very spot where the young man had died. And there, in that tragic mountain location, my colleague led a moving farewell ceremony for his family and friends.
What is a celebrant?
A funeral celebrant leads personalised, non-religious funeral services tailored to the wishes of the deceased and their family. My colleague is one of only a handful of celebrants in Switzerland who make a living from conducting funerals.
This is hardly surprising, as most Swiss do not even know what a celebrant is. When I tell them I am a professional funeral celebrant, they react with confusion. To this day, the vast majority of funerals are led by ministers and priests in Reformed or Catholic churches.
In parts of England, by contrast, up to 70% of all funerals are led by funeral celebrants in some areas. In Australia, where the profession of funeral celebrant first came into being in 1975, around 60% of all funerals are now conducted by funeral celebrants.
Yet even in English-speaking countries, many families are uncertain about the terminology associated with funerals and celebrants. One funeral celebrant reported that a client had just rung up for a chat about the “urology” (by which she meant the eulogy). Another said they had been referred to as a “humourist”, a “clairvoyant” and a “celibate”, while yet another said her mother called her a “celebrity”.
What a celebrant brings to a ceremony
Because funeral celebrants tailor their services to the specific wishes of the family, each funeral is different. The deceased may have requested that everyone turn up in pink, or wanted humour and funny anecdotes to lighten the mood at funeral gatherings of friends and family members.
Although celebrant-led funerals are non-religious, some families choose to include familiar religious elements from their childhood, such as blessings or prayers. The Lord’s Prayer, for instance, is a common inclusion, even in non-religious ceremonies.
And spiritual elements are welcomed by many families. Celebrants can integrate information on the deceased or the family’s views on life after death, or include spiritual readings, if this is requested.
Creating a memorial together
Decisions on the funeral are made in a family meeting, where the celebrant meets the mourners and discusses their wishes. The celebrant then plans the order of service, writes a eulogy (a tribute) on the deceased and creates a meaningful service for the person who has died. On the day of the funeral, the celebrant leads the ceremony.
Finding a funeral celebrant in Switzerland
While official registration is not yet required to practice as a funeral celebrant in any country, rigorous training programmes are now available in most countries, including Switzerland. In many cases, a diploma or certificate in funeral celebrancy is a prerequisite for acceptance into professional associations or online listings of celebrants.
In German-speaking Switzerland, a professional in the field is called a Trauerredner or Trauerrednerin, while in French-speaking Switzerland, they are referred to as célébrants or célébrantes. There are only about 20 full-time funeral celebrants in German-speaking Switzerland, and most people in the profession work part-time.
In Switzerland, funeral celebrants work independently and are not contracted to Funeral Directors, as in many English-speaking countries. In some cases, your local authority can help you find a celebrant.
Otherwise, families can consult internet lists maintained by celebrant associations. These include:
Helen Baumer