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What is a Celebrant Anyway?
by İDally Messenger III
(First Printed in the the Newsletter of the USA Celebrant Foundation
in May 2003)
So - what can you do when you feel deeply, or even passionately,
about wanting a ceremony in your life which really reflects you and
your values?
So - what can you do when certain music, poetry, prose, stories,
choreography or symbolism means a great deal to you and you want it
done, or expressed, or on display, or sung in your wedding, your
child's Naming , or you father's funeral?
So what happens when a Jew wants to marry a Catholic, or an atheist
dies, or a child is born to two agnostics?
Answer: you get a celebrant. This is not to say that there are not
many clergy in the community who will not oblige you & be
unbelievably helpful.
A celebrant, however, does not come from any standpoint of belief or
unbelief. A trained celebrant operates individually and
professionally on the principle : The beliefs and values of the
celebrant are irrelevant.
When I, as a celebrant, am asked by my clients what do I believe
religiously, or politically, or any other way, I simply tell them I
would rather not say, because it may inhibit their freedom of choice.
I wish I had the space to tell you the many stories of the many
different ceremonies, in which I have had the privilege to
participate, but there is not enough space. Allow me, however, to
list a few principles on which a trained celebrant operates.
A summary:
1. A celebrant is a ceremony provider or officiant.
2. A celebrant undergoes a course of study in the art of creating and
delivering ceremonies. A celebrant is therefore a qualified
professional. (Note: some "qualifications" are not worth having -
check them out)
3. A celebrant believes in the power of ceremony. A celebrant
therefore pursues excellence and quality in every ceremony.
4. A celebrant is a community person and is therefore not aligned
with any particular group in any community.
5. A celebrant creates a ceremony according to the wishes and values
of the client. All choices; celebrant, place, music, poetry, prose,
and symbolism etc - are chosen or approved by the client.
6. A celebrant is particularly suitable for secular, inter-
denominational, interfaith, non-denominational, or spiritual people.
A celebrant is also suitable for people whom the churches cannot
oblige e.g. divorced catholics.
7. A celebrant is a resource person and advisor who can assist people
find what best expresses the values and ideals of the client.
8. A celebrant never does the same ceremony twice. Each ceremony is
totally personal, and individually prepared, in consultation with the
client.
9. The Ceremony is the most important part of the ceremony! (sic)!
When people do not have any control over the content of the ceremony
they tend to spend their money and time on other peripheral
arrangements. This does not (should not!) happen with a celebrant.
10. The marriage ceremony expresses and articulates the parameters,
the principles, and the ideals of the relationship, and the
commitment by the couple to the core shared values.
11. Though the ceremony is personally created there is an underlying
respect for tradition.
12. Celebrants encourage substance. People can express themselves
seriously in a ceremony, in a manner which cannot be done in any
other way. Opportunities to strengthen the bonds between the couple,
both families and both networks of friends should not be missed.
13. Celebrants are professionals who usually belong to a body
committed to a Standard of Service and a Code of Ethics.
Editors Note: David Oldfield, the Master Celebrant, recently gave a
Graduation lecture for the International College of Celebrancy in
which he discussed the proliferation of "Inspirational Speakers" in
the USA. He then went on to explain how celebrants are the only group
in the world who could be described as Inspirational Listeners.