What does a Humanist celebrant do?

A Humanist celebrant writes and leads ceremonies that mark the big moments of a life without religion: weddings, vow renewals, funerals and celebrations of life. I am one. Here is what the work actually involves, where it stops, and what to ask before you choose someone.

Celebrant or officiant?

The words overlap. In Ontario, officiant is the legal word for the person who solemnizes a marriage. Celebrant is the wider word for someone who creates and leads a ceremony, used most often for funerals and celebrations of life. A Humanist celebrant in Ontario is usually both: registered to marry people, and able to lead any other ceremony.

What "Humanist" changes

Humanism puts people, reason and kindness at the centre, so the ceremony does too. There are no prayers by default, and nothing is said because tradition requires it. Every part is there because it says something true about the people involved.

Non-religious is not anti-religious. If a family wants a prayer, a hymn or a blessing, it can have its place, read by someone for whom it means something. I am also glad to share a wedding with a minister, imam, rabbi or elder while I handle the legal part.

Humanist Canada trains and appoints its officiants over 12 months or more, and in Ontario they are registered to solemnize marriages. Why that is legal here and not everywhere is explained in my guide to Humanist weddings in Ontario.

What I do for a wedding

1. Listen. A first conversation about how you met, what matters to you and what you would rather leave out.
2. Write. For a Signature Ceremony, a script written from that conversation, shared early so you can change anything.
3. Help with your vows and rehearse, also with the Signature Ceremony, so nobody wonders where to stand.
4. Lead the ceremony and make sure the legal part is complete. The Simple Legal Service keeps it to your declarations, the rings and the signing.
5. File the licence with the Registrar General within two days.

What I do for a funeral or celebration of life

1. Meet the family and hear about the person: their work, their humour, the people they loved.
2. Write the tribute and the order of service, with the readings, music and speakers you choose.
3. Rehearse with the speakers, so nobody has to stand up alone.
4. Hold the room on the day: introduce each speaker, keep the timing, step in gently if someone cannot finish.

What a celebrant does not do

• Issue the marriage licence. You get it from a municipality; my licence guide explains how.
• Handle the person who has died. Registering the death, the permits, the transfer, the burial or cremation are the funeral home's work. When the body or the ashes are present, the service is usually held at or arranged through a licensed funeral home, and I work alongside the funeral director.
• Plan the whole event. Venue, catering and flowers are yours or a planner's; I look after the ceremony.

What to ask any celebrant

• What exactly is included, and what costs extra: a rehearsal, travel, a second meeting?
• Will I see the script or the tribute before the day?
• How long will the ceremony be?
• For a wedding: are you registered to solemnize marriages in Ontario, and who files the licence?
• Is a deposit required, and when?

With me: weddings are $300 for the Simple Legal Service or $500 for the Signature Ceremony, a vow renewal is $500, and a celebration of life is $300. Travel is free within 25 km of Hamilton, and there is no deposit to enquire. Tell me what you are planning.