The primary role of the celebrant is to enable the family to work out what kind of ceremony they want and then help to create and deliver it. The celebrant holds the responsibility on the day, to ensure that the ceremony flows and is delivered within the allotted time frame.
Alongside this the celebrant holds a duty to ensure that a safe emotional space for the mourners is created and held throughout the duration of the ceremony.
The role of the celebrant really is that of stage manager, either taking the lead as main speaker or simply acting as an MC. In both cases the role of the celebrant is to ensure that the space is prepared and dressed taking fully into account all of the senses. The celebrant must also ensure the flow of the ceremony is maintained and that time is managed.
The most important role the celebrant plays on the day is to perform the committal, genuinely stepping into the role usually fulfilled by the priest to represent the beliefs of the deceased and then back out of the role again at the end of the committal.
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