Recently the funeral industry has been in the spotlight with the news about the Funeral Directors in Hull. This has highlighted that the whole industry is unregulated which may surprise people.
In my time as a celebrant, I have only ever come across people that work in the industry who are wonderful, caring, passionate people that want to do the best for families.
However, the reality is that there are no checks and as a celebrant I decided to put together my own quality assurance checklist which I would like to share with you.
- Quality Training.
I had amazing training which took me through everything I needed to know about being a celebrant.
- The qualities you need.
- The etiquette how to work with funeral directors and everyone that is involved in the process.
- Conducting family meetings.
- How to write a personalised eulogy.
- Understanding the Obitus music system.
- Planning a baby funeral.
- Being a member of a credible association.
I am a member of the Association of Independent celebrants. Being part of an association ensures that I have had quality training as well as giving me access to ongoing CPD.
- Adopting the Funeral Celebrant Accord.
This defines the attributes and skills required of an excellent funeral celebrant and sets out the standards by which by which all celebrants offering funeral services should be measured.
- Liability Insurance.
Being insured is vital and shows commitment to the job and that you care about people and their environments and are willing to protect them and yourself.
- Disclosure and Baring Service checks (DBS)
I meet the bereaved therefore are meeting people in a most vulnerable state of mind. I feel that having a DBS ensures that I am a safe pair of hands and can be trusted to only have their best interests at heart.
- Ability to listen to people.
When I am meeting the bereaved to plan the service it is important to be able to actively listen to their needs to enable me to wite a personal and meaningful eulogy. To listen I need to care about what they want to say. Not just listen to the words that they say but the sentiment behind it. I am their voice and tell their story and therefore listening skills are so important.
So, when you are looking for a celebrant ask yourself what qualities they have got what are they actually doing to ensure they are offering the highest service they can.
