What did you do before becoming a celebrant or in addition to being a celebrant now?

I have been an actor of over thirty years - appearing on stage, tv and radio - in a wide variety of touring, revue and pantomime. I am a writer, a theatre producer, a carer and a corporate events planner.

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What experiences or past skills do you think helped you with being a celebrant?

Having worked exclusively as an actor/facilitator in the entertainment world and been a public speaker for corporate events, it was a natural progression to become a celebrant to be able to bring a very individual and "person centred" approach to the funeral business.

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What made you want to train to become a celebrant?

 

I was very much wanting to give a personal approach to assisting families and friends in creating a unique and special celebration for their loved ones and to be able to assist in writing and creating a service that was unique to them and their wishes.

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What did your friends and family think of your decision to become a celebrant?

 

Both family and friends have given their support to my new venture and my husband has given his 100% encouragement.

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Why did you choose to train with the Celebrants Collective?

I had been advised by a wonderful actress (Vicky Edwards) with whom I was appearing in pantomime last season, that Celebrants Collective was a fantastic all round and "in depth" training covering everything I could ever wish to know and understand.

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Did you have any worries about being a celebrant which the course has helped you resolve?

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I was worried how to market myself in my new business, but the course has given me the confidence to approach funeral directors and to be honest, frank and open with them in what I can provide.

Certified Celebrant David Rumelle.

What was your most favourite part of the course and why?

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For me-the assignments in "awareness" of the funeral business in my local area were wonderful to research and present in a video format. It was as if I was completing a journey and putting it into word and images - how I felt and what I had learnt and achieved.

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How has your training with the Celebrants Collective helped you to become a confident celebrant?

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My training has helped me to gain strength in all areas of consultation, planning, marketing, visiting friends and families and maintaining a professionalism. It's given me a "grounding" and a calmness that I can carry forward with for the future. 

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What’s been your biggest takeaway so far about training to be a celebrant?

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The main thing that I have taken away from the course is "confidence". Since completing the course, I have approached local friends and families in need of planning for their loved one's memorial and been able to offer strength and support to them.

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What kind of celebrant do you think you’re shaping up to be?

I am very much shaping up to be a community celebrant in the LGBTQ community. Very often a local personality in the community didn't have many family members who could create a memorial or a meaningful "celebration of life". So far, I have been able to provide tributes for several members of our community and to write and deliver a heartfelt celebration for them.

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How have you been making a name for yourself since you became certified or in the process of getting certified?

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My website is now up and running-with pages on alternative/LGBTQ celebrations and tributes that will be permanently on my site - that families and friends can reflect on over the years. I have visited most of the Brighton and Hove funeral directors to introduce myself and advertised my website and services with as many of the local social media groups as possible. I have visited "open days" that many of the alternative funeral directors have held - most notably, Arka and The Modern Funeral (near Preston Park Station). I am listing all the companies and funeral directors and contacts I have made on a special page on my website, so that it can be a good resource for others.

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What would be your advice to someone looking to train to be a wedding or funeral celebrant?

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Just be yourself ! That is your main selling point and what makes you unique as a celebrant. Try to learn from as many celebrants as possible, but don't copy what they do, just learn from key elements they use and develop them for oneself.