AOIC Association of Independent Celebrants

Celebrant Training

Training for the AOIC is offered in conjuction with the UK College of Celebrancy however you can also find full details of all our training on this page.

People from all walks of life train to become Celebrants ~ Clergy, Actors, Toastmasters, Counsellors, Nurses, Florists to name but a few!

Working as a celebrant is a very rewarding career and although you do not need any formal qualifications, you will need certain skills for you to gain and maintain work. If you feel you have the skills as listed below, then chances are you are already well on your way to becoming a successful celebrant .

The AOIC prides itself on the excellence of its celebrant training, which is conducted in an in-formal, relaxed, yet very professional environment over a 3 day period. If you would like details of our next courses then please read towards the bottom of this page.

Essential Qualities, Skills and Equipment:

	Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
These are needed to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and situations. A large proportion of the Celebrants work is dealing with grief, sometimes in very traumatic situations. You must therefore use the necessary skills to appear empathetic, sensitive, and instil confidence in your clients.
	Good literacy
You will need to design and produce unique, meaningful and legible scripts for each Ceremony conducted. Your grammar, spelling and punctuation should be very accurate as you may be required to produce a copy of the Ceremony to the family involved.
	Non-Judgemental
You must ensure that the spiritual and emotional needs of the family are met at all times, without casting any judgement. At no time, should you try to force your own beliefs on others.
	Research
You must strive to give your best at all times. You should constantly draw upon different resources, poetry and literature to seek ways of making your Ceremonies more memorable and inspirational.
	Computer skills
Celebrants mostly design their scripts on Computer and so a working knowledge of Word or similar is essential.
	Good presentation skills
You must be able to stand before large numbers of people, using coping mechanisms in the event of nerves. You must also be able to deal with the unexpected, i.e. bad weather, hostility, emotions, etc. Most training courses give you advice on presentations and how to deal with unexpected events.
	Smart appearance
You need to be appropriately dressed for each Ceremony to create a professional, but approachable appearance.
	Confidence
You must be able to confidently take charge of the occasion, deal calmly in the face of opposition or strong emotion and yet still deliver the Ceremony effectively.
	Punctuality
You must manage your time effectively and work calmly under pressure, always arriving in plenty of time for a family visit or Ceremony.
	Understanding
You must clearly understand what the Ceremony means to the person/s involved. For example at a funeral, you must seek to change peoples thinking to a more positive one, taking into consideration their beliefs and thoughts on afterlife, and demonstrate how that person will live on in those left behind.
	Individuality
Each Ceremony must be made to feel unique to those involved and not of a 'production-line' nature.
	Multi-Disciplinary Skills
Although Independent, you must be able and willing to work closely with Funeral Directors, Crematorium and Cemetery Staff, other Celebrants and of course, the AOIC.

Courses for 2010

Foundation Certificate in Funeral Celebrancy

Location, Worthing, West Sussex
Wed 3rd - Fri 5th February 2010

Location, Newcastle
Wed 21st -Fri 23rd April 2010

View Details

Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy
The Association of Independent Celebrants is honoured to facilitate the first ever Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy within the UK via the International College of Celebrancy, the world's original Distance Education Course for the Training of Celebrants.

The course is open to all aspiring or practising Civil and Secular Celebrants, interfaith Officiants, and clergy who wish to study the non-theological nature of ceremony. The course is also enriching for persons who wish to bring ceremony and ritual into their own lives,
within their own family, and/or within their own profession. As an assocation we pride ourselves that it is a course of quality, substance, and integrity. Our dedication is to Best Practice and the Pursuit of Excellence in every ceremony.

As the course is distance learning it can be completed in your own time. Full details are available from the College of Celebrancy website
Fees for the diploma (approx £1200) are paid directly to the college in Australia. You will be mentored throughout your studies by qualified Funeral Celebrants within the UK.