Funeral Director or Celebrant
Fall 2023
Funeral Celebrant or Funeral Director: Which do you need?
As funeral celebrants have become more popular, many people are left wondering why they need a funeral director if they have a celebrant and vice versa. The answer is simple… it depends.
Think about a traditional funeral where the funeral director handles details such as taking care of the body, transporting the deceased, and various other tasks. But then, your clergy member takes care of the ceremony. Working with a celebrant is similar to that. The funeral director takes care of the logistical and practical considerations, and the celebrant works with the family to create the ceremony. That’s not to say that funeral directors never handle the officiating duties. It just means that it’s not always that way.
Historically, most funerals have been framed around religious ceremonies and rituals led by clergy members. Over time, society has become more diverse and, in some areas, less spiritual. With this shift, families have looked for alternatives to faith-based ways to commemorate the lives of their loved ones.
That’s where the funeral celebrant comes in. These trained professionals work with the family to design the perfect funeral or memorial service. Their key focus is on making the ceremony personal. Of course, many celebrants are also pastors and religious advisors, so using a celebrant doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t incorporate spiritual components. It just means you now have another alternative in choosing who you want to officiate the funeral.
For a more thorough explanation of how funeral directors and celebrants work, click here.
Want to learn more about funeral celebrants? Explore these articles.
- Using Funeral Celebrants: A Growing Movement
- Funeral Celebrants and Funeral Officiants: Creating Personalized Ceremonies
- Request our Guide to Using a Funeral Celebrant
What is Day of the Dead?
Each year, as Halloween rolls around, we see more and more references to the Day of the Dead. But what exactly is this commemoration all about?
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a colorful and significant Mexican holiday that celebrates the memory of loved ones who have died. The holiday is typically celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, dates coinciding with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Day of the Dead is not a somber occasion but a joyous celebration of life and death. It reflects the belief that the spirits of the departed continue to exist in the afterlife and can be reunited with the living during this special time. It is a unique blend of indigenous Aztec traditions and Catholic influences, creating a rich cultural celebration that has gained recognition and popularity beyond Mexico’s borders.
During the Day of the Dead, families come together with their community to honor and remember those who are no longer with them. This is done through a combination of festive and solemn traditions, including creating colorful altars or “ofrendas” adorned with marigold flowers, candles, incense, food, and drink. These ofrendas are meant to welcome the spirits of the deceased back to the living world.
As part of the tradition, families often clean and decorate the graves of the deceased, often with marigold petals and sugar skulls, and they may spend the night there, sharing stories and memories of the departed. There are parades, musical performances, and artistic displays featuring intricate sugar skulls and decorative skeletons, known as “calacas” and “calaveras.”
So, this year, as you notice the unique decorations and references to Day of the Dead, you’ll know what it’s all about.
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Teraloom offers ash scattering memorials at sea and on land. Events can be personalized with a meaningful location, date, time, officiant, flowers, and more. As part of the service, Teraloom secures all necessary permits, makes the arrangements, and takes care of logistics.
To learn more about what Teraloom offers in your region, click here.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU WITH PLAN A FUNERAL:
How to Make Funeral Arrangements
Buying Funeral and Memorial Products
How to Plan a Funeral
Plan Your Funeral Before You Need It
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Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide straightforward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.
