A considered introduction
We'll take time to get to know your approach and experience, so that we can recommend you when we think you're a good match for the ceremony someone has in mind.
For independent funeral celebrants
Working with Poetic Endings
We believe funerals really matter. The ceremony is at the heart of what we do.
We're always interested in good celebrancy: thoughtful writing, confident delivery, and a willingness to work together to create a funeral that feels right for the people involved.
Why ceremony matters
The funeral is more than the arrangements
The practical details of a funeral matter enormously. But so do the words, music, atmosphere and the way people are brought together. A well-considered ceremony can help people acknowledge what has happened and begin to make sense of it.
We work with independent celebrants who take that responsibility seriously. We want to understand how you work, what you are particularly good at and the kinds of ceremonies you enjoy creating, so we can make considered introductions.
Sometimes a funeral is traditional and religious. Sometimes it is informal, secular or takes place somewhere unexpected. Some ceremonies are very simple. They all deserve care and original thought.
Our side of the relationship
What celebrants can expect from us
We see the celebrant and funeral director as colleagues with different responsibilities. Good communication makes a difference, both during the arrangements and on the day.
Fair payment
We believe skilled celebrants deserve to be properly paid for their time, preparation, writing and delivery. You set your own fees.
Time for the ceremony
We'll talk through the likely length and shape of the ceremony before making venue arrangements. If a standard crematorium slot won't allow enough time, we'll explore other possibilities.
Support with the details
We'll coordinate the venue, timings, music and other practical arrangements with you. On the funeral day, we'll work alongside you so each of us can concentrate on our part.
The people we work with
What we value in a celebrant
We're not looking for everyone to have the same style. The diversity of the celebrants we work with is a strength.
What matters is being able to listen carefully, write well and lead a ceremony with a clear understanding of the people in the room.
- Original writing and confident deliveryA ceremony created for the person who has died, not assembled from a template.
- Emotional intelligence and good judgementBeing sensitive to grief, different relationships, personal beliefs and the dynamics of a gathering.
- Curiosity and imaginationBeing open to religious and non-religious approaches, unconventional ideas and ways for people to take part.
- Professionalism and clear boundariesDependability, honest communication, careful preparation and respect for the part everybody plays.
- Flexibility when things changeFunerals rarely unfold exactly as imagined. We appreciate people who can adapt without losing sight of the ceremony.
Working together
From introduction to ceremony
We'll agree responsibilities early, keep each other informed and make space for the celebrant's relationship with the people arranging the funeral.
01 / Introduction
Getting to know people
When we recommend a celebrant, we encourage an introductory conversation before they are appointed. People should feel comfortable with the person who will lead the ceremony.
02 / Preparation
Putting it together
You develop the ceremony with the people involved. We coordinate the arrangements around it and confirm the running order, music and practical details together.
03 / The funeral
On the day
The funeral director looks after the practical running of the day. The celebrant leads the ceremony. We're there to support one another when needed.
Shared professional standards
The Funeral Celebrant Accord
We've supported the Funeral Celebrant Accord since 2019. Developed by the Funeral Celebrancy Council, it sets out the skills and standards expected of a good funeral celebrant, including professionalism, original writing and continued development.
We also value the Council's guidance on how funeral directors and celebrants can work well together. These are useful starting points for conversations about good practice.
Read the Funeral Celebrant AccordInterested in working with us?
Introducing yourself
We work with a carefully chosen group of celebrants and our directory is currently full.
We aren't arranging general introductory meetings or adding new celebrants routinely. But we're still interested in hearing from someone with a particular skill, background or approach that might add something to the people we already work with.
If you think that might be you, please email us with a short introduction. We'd be interested to know:
- 01Why did you become a funeral celebrant?
- 02Who did you train with, and what did you take from that experience?
- 03What do you think makes a good funeral celebrant?
- 04What's a favourite poem or reading, and why?
Please include your website or examples of your work, the areas you cover and your usual fees. We receive a great many enquiries, so we can't promise an individual reply or meeting.
Please don't visit our funeral home without arranging an appointment first. If you're considering celebrancy training, we also recommend speaking to established celebrants about the work available before investing in a course.
Our celebrant directory
The people we work with
Our directory introduces the independent funeral celebrants we recommend, each with their own style, experience and way of working.