Civil celebrants are independent celebrancy professionals in private practice offering:

• ceremonies and celebrations for significant life events - for individuals, couples, families or communities
• so as to honour all people
• with the aim of celebrating love and life
• upholding values
• promoting caring, creative, respectful and harmonious relationships at all levels of society.

Civil Marriage Celebrants are authorised by the Australian Federal Government to provide dignified, meaningful and memorable wedding ceremonies of equal value to, and as an alternative to, religious weddings. Authorised civil marriage celebrants must be registered by the Attorney General and adhere to a Code of Practice and other requirements as outlined in the Marriage Act 1961. Many Civil Marriage Celebrants are also Funeral and General or Family Celebrants.

Civil Funeral / Memorial Celebrants are celebrants who provide meaningful and dignified civil memorials and funeral ceremonies. Such celebrants are usually compassionate and sensitive people, who have training in loss and grief and in working with families to enable them to say farewell to their loved one in a manner that meets their particular needs - honouring their loss and celebrating the unique life of the person who has died.

Civil General Celebrants / Family Celebrants are celebrants who help families celebrate significant life events by offering other ceremonies (such as Anniversary, Birthday, Commitment, Naming, Vow Renewal, House Warming, Pet Funeral).

Civil ceremonies may include some religious material, at the request of the individual, couple or family. Your professional civil celebrant will respect your wishes whether you want such inclusions or not. 

Civil Celebrants charge fees.  Celebrants do not receive government funding or salaries.  Like other professionals, they set their scale of fees.

Fees cover not only all the material costs of offering their services (office equipment, phone, power, vehicle, special clothing, advertising, education, professional development, PA system etc) but also the celebrant's time in research, professional development, planning, transport, delivery and follow-up work in performing ceremonies.

Like other professionals, the direct service on the day, is really the tip of the iceberg in terms of the knowledge, experience and skill that the celebrant brings to your significant event.
 
To find a civil celebrant in your area - click HERE

Image: TCN Celebrant Susanna Jose