It’s an Honour to be an End of Life Celebrant

It’s an honour

to be invited

into someone’s grief,

an honour

to be asked

to witness

the worst possible pain,

an honour

to be somebody

another somebody finds safe.

Scott Stabile in Enough as You Are

Day 2 of my World Celebrant Week's mini blog

I was really touched when I read this poem, having been welcomed into 3 family's homes in the last few days to work with them to plan the End of Life Celebration for their loved one, hear all the heart felt stories, idiosyncrasies, interests, one liners and dreams of the person who has passed in order to give them the send off befitting of them.

I have been moved by the openness and privilege of hearing such special and meaningful memories and laughing with these families as they have remembered some clinkers, while they are also dealing with unimaginable grief. It really is an honour to be a safe presence in the homes of these people, and I do not take this honour and responsibility lightly. I aim to connect with each individual in the families that I meet, to listen, understand, empathise, support, lead and get things right for them.

I never imagined in all my years that I would become a Funeral Celebrant; when I signed up for my Weddings and Namings Course, I thought I would not be able to handle the emotions of planning and leading a funeral, but in June I signed up to the course and nervously introduced myself to a Funeral Director who was lovely and warm. It took until last week for me to work through the modules and complete my final assessment but I did it and I'm glad I took my time over it all as it is vital to me that I do this job right. I take it very seriously and hope that I help families to feel joy at the ceremonies I officiate. This is what they ask for, and this is what I aim to deliver. Joy to help in the pain of grief.