For most of us, there comes a time when we need to organise a funeral for someone we love. In those moments, it’s completely normal to feel confused about who does what, especially when it comes to understanding the difference between a funeral director and a funeral celebrant.
Many people don’t know that these roles are actually quite separate. Here’s a quick guide to break everything down, so you know exactly who does what.
A snapshot: Celebrant vs Funeral Director
Professional care of the deceased: As Northern NSW and Gold Coast funeral directors, we are your first point of contact, 24/7. From the first call, we care for your loved one with professionalism and kindness. We transfer them into our care, complete the preparation, and treat them with dignity and respect.
Funeral service: When it comes to the funeral service, we take care of everything. We’ll work with you to book the venue (whether it’s a chapel, crematorium or outdoor funeral service), organise flowers, music, livestream, stationery and photo presentations. We take care of all the behind the scenes logistics, which also includes making sure everything runs smoothly on the day.
Legal and administrative requirements: Our funeral directors also look after all the paperwork, including registering the death, applying for a death certificate, cremation permits, and all mandatory QLD forms.
The role of a celebrant is a little different. A funeral celebrant is there to shape the personal and emotional side of the service. They will meet with you and your family to learn about the person who has passed. They’ll gather stories, gain an understanding of their personality, and discuss any cultural, spiritual or religious wishes that should be reflected in the ceremony.
After the planning stage, the celebrant will begin putting together the ceremony. This may include writing the eulogy, structuring the order of service, selecting readings, poems or rituals, and finding meaningful ways for family members to be involved.
On the day of the funeral service, the celebrant leads the service, guiding everyone through each part of the ceremony. They help the service flow smoothly, support the family emotionally, and deliver a tribute that reflects the life being remembered.
At Heritage Brothers Funeral Services, we provide continuity of care that extends from before, throughout and even after the service. You can count on us as your main source of guidance throughout the journey, offering support that will help you and your family feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
You can expect:
To sum it up, a celebrant will guide the ceremony and share the story, while the funeral director does this and everything else that makes the farewell possible. From care of the deceased to legal requirements, coordination and support, the funeral director’s role is comprehensive, practical and central to the entire process.
At Heritage Brothers Funeral Services, we work with a number of trusted celebrants and book them as needed. We match each family with the celebrant who feels like the best fit. If a family prefers to bring in a friend or someone they’ve used before, that’s absolutely fine too. We don’t have set contracts, it’s simply about choosing the right person for each family and each service.
Planning a funeral is never easy, but we’re here to help, providing gentle guidance and professional support – you can count on us. Contact us today!
