Ha! This has given me an idea! My partner, who writes poetry, loves funerals. And he loves the chance to MC at events like the poetry gathering he wrangles weekly. I have wondered what he will do when he scales down on his engineering day job in the next few years, but I reckon being a funeral celebrant would be right up his alley!
My daughter-in-law-to-be trained as a wedding celebrant a couple of years ago and loves doing this as a sidekick to her day job, and my partner is currently deep in discussion with her about plans for another of my son’s wedding this month, which she is doing and my partner has written a poem for. I think the time is right to seed the idea!
I’ve been thinking about it for a long time and my training is coming up now—I’ll be interested to hear what your partner thinks of the idea. I’m always slightly nervous mentioning it in conversation as some people find it morbid, but I’ve always thought talking about death was essential—I bet there are many poems that would be just beautiful at a funeral. Thanks for this xox
To quote my restack, this essay was inventive, powerful and concise.
As for jobs, I was the wedding officiant for my brother-in-law. I'd love to do that job. Quiz the couple about each other and then devise a ceremony that fit what they wanted and needed. Plus, the power! People stood when I asked them and sat down when I asked them. I resisted the temptation to do a few extra stands and sits just for the sheer pleasure of being listened to!
I read this a few days ago and really enjoyed the comment—a friend of mine does weddings and they seem so lovely and fun (and also wildly stressful and bonkers sometimes). I’ll let you know how the celebrant training goes.
Ha! This has given me an idea! My partner, who writes poetry, loves funerals. And he loves the chance to MC at events like the poetry gathering he wrangles weekly. I have wondered what he will do when he scales down on his engineering day job in the next few years, but I reckon being a funeral celebrant would be right up his alley!
My daughter-in-law-to-be trained as a wedding celebrant a couple of years ago and loves doing this as a sidekick to her day job, and my partner is currently deep in discussion with her about plans for another of my son’s wedding this month, which she is doing and my partner has written a poem for. I think the time is right to seed the idea!
Thanks 🌟 - another reason why I love Substack 😂
I’ve been thinking about it for a long time and my training is coming up now—I’ll be interested to hear what your partner thinks of the idea. I’m always slightly nervous mentioning it in conversation as some people find it morbid, but I’ve always thought talking about death was essential—I bet there are many poems that would be just beautiful at a funeral. Thanks for this xox
Hi Alice,
To quote my restack, this essay was inventive, powerful and concise.
As for jobs, I was the wedding officiant for my brother-in-law. I'd love to do that job. Quiz the couple about each other and then devise a ceremony that fit what they wanted and needed. Plus, the power! People stood when I asked them and sat down when I asked them. I resisted the temptation to do a few extra stands and sits just for the sheer pleasure of being listened to!
I read this a few days ago and really enjoyed the comment—a friend of mine does weddings and they seem so lovely and fun (and also wildly stressful and bonkers sometimes). I’ll let you know how the celebrant training goes.