If you are planning a natural or eco-friendly funeral, you may be wondering whether to work with a celebrant and what that actually involves. A funeral celebrant can play a central role in making the day feel personal, meaningful and true to the person who has died. This guide explains what celebrants do, the different types available and how to find one who is the right fit for a green funeral.
What is a funeral celebrant?
A funeral celebrant is a trained professional who plans and leads a funeral ceremony on behalf of the family. Unlike a vicar, priest or other religious minister, a celebrant has no denominational affiliation. That means the ceremony is not tied to any religious tradition, format or set of words. It belongs entirely to the family.
A celebrant will spend time getting to know the person who has died through conversations with family and friends. From those conversations, they build a ceremony that reflects that person’s life, values, relationships and personality. They can include religious elements if that is meaningful to the family, or keep things entirely secular. Many ceremonies include both.
The result is a service that feels true rather than generic. For many families, that makes an enormous difference.
What’s the difference between an independent celebrant and a humanist celebrant?
This is one of the most common questions people have when starting to look for a celebrant, and it is worth understanding the distinction.
An independent celebrant is trained to conduct ceremonies but is not affiliated with any particular organisation or belief system. They work entirely around the wishes of the family, which means they can incorporate religious readings, prayers or hymns alongside secular content, or keep the ceremony completely non-religious. Independent celebrants tend to offer the broadest flexibility, which makes them a popular choice for green and natural funerals.
A Humanist celebrant is trained and accredited by Humanists UK and conducts ceremonies that are entirely non-religious. Humanist funerals celebrate the life of the person who has died without reference to any god, afterlife or religious tradition. They are a meaningful option for families who hold secular or atheist values and want a ceremony that reflects that clearly.
Both types of celebrant can conduct ceremonies at natural burial grounds and are well suited to outdoor and eco-friendly funerals. The choice comes down to the values and wishes of the person being celebrated, and the family arranging the service.
What does a funeral celebrant do?
The process usually begins with a meeting between the celebrant and the family, often at home. They ask about the person who has died: what they were like, what they loved, the moments that mattered and the things that made them unique. They gather stories, memories and small details that bring a ceremony to life.
From there, the celebrant will:
- Write a bespoke ceremony script based on what they have learned
- Help the family choose or write readings, poems or tributes
- Advise on music, symbolic gestures or any meaningful rituals the family would like to include
- Liaise with the funeral director on the practical details
- Lead the ceremony on the day, holding the space for the family with calm and care.
At a natural burial ground, there is usually no fixed time limit. That freedom allows the ceremony to breathe in a way that is difficult to replicate at a crematorium with back-to-back bookings. A good celebrant will use that time well, creating a ceremony that feels complete rather than rushed.
Do you need a celebrant for a green funeral?
No, a celebrant is not a legal requirement. Some families choose a religious minister or a friend or family member to lead the ceremony, or choose to hold a simple graveside farewell without a formal service.
But many families find that having a celebrant takes an enormous amount of pressure off an already difficult time. Rather than worrying about what to say or how to structure the day, they can simply be present and grieve. The celebrant holds the shape of the ceremony so the family does not have to.
For those planning a natural burial, where the setting is often more open and informal, a celebrant can also help make the most of the environment, creating a ceremony that genuinely connects with the landscape around it rather than simply taking place in it.
Finding a celebrant who understands green funerals
Any experienced celebrant can conduct a ceremony at a natural burial ground, but finding one who genuinely understands and shares your values around eco-friendly funerals makes a real difference. A celebrant who is familiar with natural burial grounds, comfortable working outdoors and in tune with the ethos of a green farewell will bring something extra meaningful to the day.
Some celebrants have completed specific training in natural burial as part of their professional development. Others have simply built up experience through working closely with burial grounds and eco-conscious families. Either way, it is worth asking directly about their experience when you first get in touch.
Some useful questions to ask:
- Have you conducted ceremonies at natural burial grounds before?
- Are you comfortable leading outdoor ceremonies in different weather conditions?
- How do you approach ceremonies that combine religious and secular elements?
- What does your process look like from first meeting to the day of the funeral?
How to find a celebrant for a green funeral
There are a few good routes to finding the right celebrant.
The Dying to Go Green directory lists celebrants across the UK who have a specific interest in or experience of natural and eco-friendly funerals. Searching by location is the quickest way to find someone nearby.
Your funeral director may also be able to recommend a celebrant they have worked with and trust. If you are using a funeral director who specialises in green funerals, they are likely to have good relationships with celebrants who share the same values.
The natural burial ground itself can also be a valuable source of recommendations. Many burial ground owners have developed strong working relationships with local celebrants over the years and will have a good sense of who handles outdoor ceremonies well.
Whichever route you take, the most important thing is finding someone who feels right. Most celebrants are happy to have an initial conversation before any commitment is made, so you can get a sense of whether their approach is a good fit for your family.
Dying to Go Green’s tips for working with a funeral celebrant
- You don’t legally need a celebrant, but if the idea of planning and leading a ceremony feels overwhelming, appointing one is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself and your family.
- Look for a celebrant who has genuine experience of natural burial grounds and eco-friendly funerals. They will understand the setting and the ethos in a way that makes a real difference on the day.
- If you have a particular outdoor location in mind, find a celebrant who is experienced in outdoor ceremonies. They will know how to handle the practicalities (such as sound and layout) so the day flows as it should.
- Share what you love about the person you are remembering. Your celebrant will meet with you to find out as much as they can about the person who has died. They will ask questions and listen to your stories. So don’t just share facts – share the essence of the person and what you loved about them.
- A funeral celebrant creates a completely bespoke ceremony, so don’t feel bound by religious traditions or formal formats. The service can reflect exactly who the person was. You can also include religious or spiritual elements if you choose.
- Ask them anything – it’s your day. Celebrants can be wonderfully flexible and creative with ceremonies, so don’t be afraid to raise ideas even if they seem unconventional – they will probably come up with some beautiful ways to incorporate them.
- Let your celebrant take the weight and hold space for you on the day of the funeral. Their job is to support you and hold the ceremony together so that you can be present with the people you love and say goodbye in the way that feels right.
Find a funeral celebrant near you
Looking for a celebrant to help plan a green or natural funeral? Search the Dying to Go Green directory to find celebrants, natural burial grounds and eco-friendly suppliers across the UK.