7 Services Every Funeral Celebrant Should Offer

The Funeral Industry is changing; being a Funeral Celebrant isn’t just about burials and cremations anymore; new trends are increasingly replacing old traditions, and as Modern Celebrants, you are uniquely positioned to move with these changes and thrive in the new landscape. As the demand for personalised and non-traditional services grows, celebrants have a unique opportunity to expand their offerings and better serve their communities while building a sustainable and even thriving business.

At the AMC, we’re dedicated to helping Celebrants thrive, so whether you’re a new celebrant finding your feet in the industry or an existing celebrant looking for ways to grow and expand, we’re here to help:

Why Funeral Celebrants Should Diversify Their Services

The modern approach to celebrating and commemorating life has transformed dramatically in recent years. Diversifying your service offerings as a funeral celebrant:

• Opens up more opportunities to serve and grow your business
• Creates meaningful connections within your community
• Builds a more sustainable celebrancy practice
• Provides essential support for families during various life transitions
• Reduces your reliance on Funeral Directors to drive your business

Diversifying your services allows you to meet the evolving needs of your community, provides more opportunities for connection, and gives you more to discuss when describing your business.

Diversifying Funeral Services as a New Celebrant

Providing expanded and alternative services can be especially beneficial for newly trained celebrants, particularly in areas with high competition for traditional funerals or where experienced celebrants have strong relationships with funeral directors. Instead of competing in saturated markets, new celebrants can succeed by positioning themselves in emerging ceremony spaces where there is increasing demand and less competition.

By focusing on these additional services, new celebrants can:

• Create their own unique market position
• Build their business independently of funeral director referrals
• Establish direct relationships with clients and community partners
• Develop expertise in specialized ceremony types
• Build their reputation in less competitive spaces

7 Services Every Funeral Celebrant Should Be Talking About

1. Celebrations of Life

This might sound like semantics, but 50% of Funeral Services are now described as Celebrations of Life, showcasing a significant shift in how families want to honour their loved ones. Families don’t necessarily view Funerals and Celebrations of Life as the same thing; by differentiating your services, you open the door to a wider audience.

Families seeking Celebrations of Life want ceremonies that are focused on joy, gratitude, and celebrating a life well-lived rather than mourning a loss. As a celebrant, you’re an expert in guiding families in creating uplifting, modern ceremonies that might include:

• Sharing favourite stories and cherished memories
• Playing the person’s favourite music or featuring their hobbies
• Creating interactive elements where guests can participate
• Incorporating personal touches that reflect their character
• Holding the ceremony in meaningful locations beyond traditional funeral venues

Many families don’t realize they have this option, so actively promote how Celebration of Life Services can provide an alternative to a traditional funeral. With the right celebrant guidance, these ceremonies can be both meaningful and uplifting while still providing space for natural grief and remembrance.

2. Memorials

If a family wants a small, private funeral, if someone dies abroad, has a direct cremation or perhaps a workplace or community wants to honour a much-missed individual separate from the family’s ceremony, a memorial is another service Funeral Celebrants are perfectly placed to offer.

Think of ways you can position your memorial services separate to your funeral services.

3. Planning Your Own Funeral Service

Did you know that only 1% of people know all their loved one’s funeral wishes – it makes it harder for families who’ve lost someone to honour their loved ones’ wishes when it comes to planning their funeral. A “planning your own funeral service” facilitated by a professional Celebrant could help people ensure their wishes are honoured in a way that leaves space for the family’s grieving to be respected. It can also help people better plan for Funeral Costs and avoid unexpected Funeral costs arising for unprepared families.

Plus, it’s likely that if you already have a relationship with the individual or family, they will come to you directly for the service itself.

4. Non Religious Funerals

With more people than ever identifying as non-religious or spiritual rather than religious, families need options that respect their values and beliefs. A non-religious funeral focuses on celebrating the person’s life, achievements, and legacy without religious elements. This option allows families to create meaningful ceremonies that truly reflect their loved one’s worldview. Believe it or not, many families still don’t realize this is an option – be sure to clearly communicate that you offer ceremonies free from religious content while still maintaining the dignity and significance of the occasion.

5. Living Funerals

Whilst death is an inevitable part of life, for those living with a terminal illness, planning and participating in their own living funeral can help them process their own grief, provide autonomy and focus and bring joy. Celebrants are the perfect planning partners to help people realise their vision.

Many medical professionals and hospice workers aren’t aware that living funerals are an option for their patients. Building relationships with these healthcare providers can help connect you with families who might benefit from this service. This is a growing area of ceremony work that allows celebrants to make a profound difference in how people approach their end-of-life journey.

6. Pet Funerals

As traditional communities disappear, more people working from home, replacing a coffee and catch-up with a WhatsApp or a DM, and living increasingly insular lives; pets have become our constant companions. Being a Dog Mum or a Cat lover sometimes becomes our whole identity.

All that to say, the importance of pets in our lives has increased exponentially, so it follows that when they die, we want to honour their passing and the place they hold in our hearts. Pet funerals are still fairly new, but they are a much-needed service for pet lovers everywhere, and funeral celebrants are the obvious choice for providing them.

From a business point of view, Pet Funerals aren’t reliant on Funeral Directors sending you clients, so you can be more proactive in advertising them – try advertising these services at local vets, local shops, pet shops and community boards.

7. Scattering of Ashes Services

Whether this is an add-on service for a Cremation Service or a standalone service for families who opted for a Direct Cremation, Scattering of the ashes is another milestone in the grieving journey and having a Celebrant there to help the family say goodbye in a dignified way can provide further comfort in a difficult time.

Related Post: Alternative Ceremonies That Could Skyrocket Your Celebrant Earnings

Marketing Your Services Effectively

People won’t book your services if they don’t know they exist.

Remember to:

• Add details to your website and Google Business profile
• Add a Post of your services on your social media platforms and pin it to the top of your profile
• Educate your clients on ALL of the services open to them
• Don’t just say “There are lots of options available” – Talk about ALL of the services you offer

Important Note on Client Education

Don’t assume your potential clients know about these services or understand that you offer them. You’ll need to educate your audience on multiple levels:

1. That these different types of ceremonies exist!
2. Why they might want to consider each option
3. How you, as a celebrant, are uniquely qualified to provide these services
4. How to engage your services for each type of ceremony, where to get in touch and how to book.

Consider creating educational content for each service type and sharing it regularly across your communication channels. Many families don’t know about alternatives to traditional services until they’re presented with the options.

By providing a comprehensive range of services, you can better serve your community while building a sustainable and fulfilling celebrancy practice that addresses the diverse needs of modern families.

Inspired? Next Steps

If you’ve enjoyed this article, we invite you to join our vibrant community on our Facebook page, where you’ll find more tips, insights, and support from fellow celebrants and professionals.

Additionally, for those of you considering a rewarding career in celebrancy, Download our guide to becoming a wildly successful celebrant. You’ll receive the guide and all the latest updates, including details about our upcoming celebrant training webinar. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your skills and connect with a network of like-minded individuals passionate about celebrancy.

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