Susan McGregor’s Joy-Filled Journey to a Fulfilling New Career

At the Academy of Modern Celebrancy, nothing brings us more joy than witnessing the incredible transformations our students undergo as they step into their roles as celebrants. Each journey is unique, each story inspiring, and we’re passionate about sharing these remarkable tales of personal and professional growth with our community.

These stories not only showcase the diverse paths that lead people to celebrancy but also highlight the profound impact this career can have on both our graduates and the families they serve. Our alumni network is filled with extraordinary individuals who’ve found their calling in creating meaningful ceremonies, and today we’re thrilled to introduce you to one of them.

Meet Susan McGregor, who at age 57, stood at a career crossroads. Rather than stepping into early retirement, Susan chose to embrace an exciting new chapter as a celebrant. Her story perfectly illustrates how it’s never too late to pursue a fulfilling career that touches hearts and changes lives. Join us as we explore Susan’s journey from corporate professional to ceremony creator, and discover how the decision to become a celebrant has transformed her life in ways she never expected.

Watch the full interview below:

Finding a New Path After 40 Years

“I became a celebrant two years ago, looking for a change,” Susan shares. “At the age that I’m at, do I really want to retire? I’ve got 10 years ahead of me of work. But when you’ve already done 40, you can think ‘I might be done.’ But there’s too many of us in the workplace now, and they want us to stay in the workplace. And actually, I realized that the work wasn’t done.”

What sets celebrancy apart for Susan is how it brings together all her past experiences: “For the very first time, I really feel as if all of the skills that I’ve honed, the people that I’ve met, the work that I’ve done in the past, everything that I’ve worked hard for has come together in this situation, and it’s made it so incredibly satisfying, incredibly fulfilling, and hugely enjoyable.”

The Perfect Work-Life Balance

One of the aspects Susan loves most about her new career is the flexibility it offers. “I get to work from home, I get to choose my hours,” she explains. While she acknowledges there’s significant work involved in marketing and promotion, the freedom to structure her own time makes it all worthwhile.

“At this stage, I can fit it in. And it works beautifully. Because I enjoy working for myself, I enjoy the writing. You get to meet people and talk to people. And then I just love sitting with all the notes from the families and the couples. And just switching off and getting on with the writing is such a lovely process.”

Overcoming Initial Fears

Like many new celebrants, Susan faced some apprehension when starting out. “It was quite scary because I don’t like doing things by half,” she recalls. “I didn’t want to just meander into it. I wanted to make the change and do it properly.”

The transition involved learning new skills, particularly around self-promotion: “Going into venues, speaking to venues, going to wedding fairs, walking into funeral directors that don’t know you – it’s not easy. But you have to have that bit of steel in you.”

Finding Joy in Meaningful Connections

What brings Susan the most satisfaction is the privilege of being trusted with people’s most precious moments. “When a family trusts you… it’s such a privilege. They’re inviting you into their home with the most precious thing that they have to give you – the life story of the person who’s passed away. And I love listening to them. I love talking to them. I just take notes after notes after notes as they’re talking, and it’s just lovely to listen to these life stories.”

This satisfaction extends to both wedding and funeral ceremonies: “When you meet a couple who are getting married and they’re quite nervous and they want it to go well… it’s really personal stuff. And they’re trusting you with a really big job. But I love that, I just love it.”

The Magic of Ceremony

For Susan, the most rewarding aspect is knowing she’ll deliver a meaningful ceremony. “The thing that gives me the most joy is knowing that I will do a good job, that when I stand up to the best of my ability to run a funeral or to run a wedding ceremony… it just feels like magic, really. And that’s a feeling that I just absolutely love. I don’t want to ever give that feeling up.”

Advice for Aspiring Celebrants

To those considering becoming a celebrant, Susan’s advice is enthusiastic and clear: “100% – if you feel that you would do a good job, and that you would really love to do it, absolutely just go for it. You might have to carry on working for a while, you might not be able to just drop everything and do it 100% right away. But the people I’ve met in this industry have been just so open, so friendly, and so willing to help.”

Susan’s journey shows that it’s never too late to embrace a new career path, especially one as rewarding as celebrancy. Her story is a testament to the fulfilling possibilities that await those who dare to take that first step into this meaningful profession.

Find Susan at https://susanmcgregorcelebrant.co.uk/ connect with Susan on her Facebook page

It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Calling: Your Celebrant Journey Awaits

Susan McGregor’s transition from contemplating early retirement to embracing a vibrant career in celebrancy proves that it’s never too late to begin an exciting new chapter. Her journey shows us that the skills and experiences we gather throughout our working lives can come together beautifully in this meaningful role.

As Susan’s story demonstrates, becoming a celebrant isn’t about age or career background—it’s about having the heart to help others and the courage to embrace change. Whether you’re standing at a career crossroads like Susan was, seeking a fulfilling semi-retirement, or simply feeling called to make a difference in people’s lives, your accumulated wisdom and life experience could be the perfect foundation for a rewarding career in celebrancy.

So, are you ready to discover your next chapter? To channel your skills into creating ceremonies that mark life’s most precious moments? The world of celebrancy awaits, and like Susan, you might find it brings together everything you’ve learned in life in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.

Take that first step. Explore the training programs at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy. Who knows? The skills you’ve spent years developing might be exactly what’s needed to become an exceptional celebrant. After all, as Susan proved, sometimes the best time to start something new is when others might think you’re ready to slow down.

Remember Susan’s words: “If you feel that you would do a good job, and that you would really love to do it… absolutely just go for it.” The supportive celebrant community is ready to welcome you, and your unique journey could be the key to creating meaningful ceremonies that touch hearts and change lives.