What is a Celebrant?
Dictionary definition:
A person who leads a ceremony or celebration such as a marriage or funeral.
What do we do?:
We prepare ceremonies/services and officiate at weddings and funerals, baby-naming, vow renewals etc.
A little bit about me…
I am Jackie Deakin and I live in Landford. Being local, the areas I can serve include Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire and possibly further a-field on consultation. I am an ex-Registrar and have officiated at over 70 weddings and I have now completed my funeral celebrancy with the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants.
A little more about Weddings:
A Celebrant at a wedding will meet with the Bride and Groom (or same sex couples) for an initial consultation and then prepare and ultimately perform a marriage ceremony. This can include verbal, contractual and personal vows and be adapted to fit the characters/personalities of the marrying couple and their family and friends. It can be funny, heart-felt with tons of meaning, spiritual or basic. You get to choose!
This ceremony is NOT a legal ceremony as, according to the laws in this country, this still has to be done by the Registrars of the County Council. However many couples are opting for a short legal ceremony, with a personalised wedding ceremony either before or after the official one, with the Celebrant creating and crafting the personalised script/vows based on the couple, their life, family and friends. There is no time limit and readings/poems/tributes are welcomed from loved ones and honoured guests.
A little more about Funerals:
This is always a sad occasion in anyone's life and an End of Life Celebrant works closely with Funeral Directors to ensure your loved one’s ceremony runs smoothly. It is the last chance to say goodbye after all, so a Celebrant will work diligently with you and your family to get it right. Unless you know of a Celebrant personally, your Funeral Director will appoint the right Celebrant to suit your family’s needs.
Your Celebrant will visit you and your family, either in your home or at the Funeral Director’s office to talk with you about your loved one and will then craft a fitting eulogy to honour the life of the recently departed soul, again with tributes and readings welcomed from any guests wishing to take part in the service. A Celebrant will also work closely with you to construct the Order of Service on your behalf, thus taking away some of the stress and overwhelm often felt at these times.
Other services:
A Celebrant will also conduct Baby-Naming ceremonies – a modern version of a traditional christening, which can include appointing “Guide-parents” to oversee a child’s spiritual progress, although parents do not always opt for this and simply have a service to welcome their child into the world.
Vow renewals; Celebratory Birthdays and Anniversaries, Academic achievements or any other celebratory occasion can also be a reason a Celebrant may be hired.
So If you are planning a family gathering in 2024, or have lost a loved one recently and would like more information, please contact me using the contact form.
Warm wishes, Jackie