For many people, the words ‘funeral celebrant’ and ‘funeral director’ sound interchangeable. They both have to do with funerals, right? But in reality, they’re distinct roles - each playing a crucial part in how we honour and farewell our loved ones. And, as someone who wears both hats, I want to share why that matters.
What’s the Difference?
A funeral celebrant is the person who leads the ceremony, crafting and delivering a service that reflects the life, values, and wishes of the deceased and their family. Think of us as storytellers, experience designers, ritual holders, and space creators - weaving words, music, and moments into something deeply personal and meaningful.
A funeral director, on the other hand, is responsible for the practical side of things - coordinating logistics from the moment your person has died, arranging transport and paperwork, arranging the death-care of your person and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day. Traditionally, funeral directors have operated within a rigid industry model, but a wave of change is sweeping through the world of death care, and I’m proud to be part of it.
A New Way of Doing Death Care
The funeral industry has been long overdue for disruption. For too long, families have been offered cookie-cutter services with little flexibility, high costs, zero transparency and a lack of personal connection. But things are shifting. A new way of caring for the dead (and the living) is emerging - one that is more transparent, compassionate, and family-led.
I work with Picaluna Funerals, a company that embodies this change. Picaluna operates on a community-driven model, prioritising personal choice, affordability, and authenticity. Their approach allows funeral celebrants like me to be involved from the very beginning, ensuring a continuity of care that is often missing in traditional funeral directors. Instead of being passed from one department to another, families have a single, trusted guide throughout the entire process. It makes an enormous difference.
And we’re not the only ones reimagining what’s possible. In the UK, Poetic Endings (pictured here carrying the beautiful casket) and Poppy’s Funerals are leading the way with open-hearted, ethical, and beautifully crafted end-to-end funeral care. Here in Australia, Tender Funerals, Life Rites and The Last Hurrah Funerals offer death care and ceremonial options that feel like true celebrations of life - deeply personal, family-focused, and free from outdated constraints.
Why I Do Both
By offering both celebrancy and funeral direction, I can provide a seamless, holistic experience - one that ensures families feel supported at every stage. I help with the logistics, yes, but I also hold space for the grief, the stories, the laughter, and the love. Because when done right, funerals can be a time of profound connection and meaning. They truly can be beautiful.
If you’re facing the loss of a loved one (or simply thinking ahead), know that you have choices. Your farewell can be whatever you need it to be - gentle, bold, sacred, unconventional, or anything in between. And if you’d like someone to walk alongside you, I’d be honoured to help.
With love,
Amy x
