Celebrant Life: To charm or be charmed? That is the question.
With so many different ways and styles of being a celebrant, why would someone choose to become a Heart-led Celebrant?
This post isn’t about the reasons you might choose our training so much as about the ethos behind being heart-led in our work. And the answer is simple: we do this because, despite whatever skills, qualities and experience we have, we want to be of service. That is, we want to make a difference to people in our community. And, at this level of giving, we do so whether we receive external feedback or not. Of course, when our little ego is let out to play it loves nothing better than an accolade! However, if we do this job to receive those dopamine hits we’re on the fast track to annihilation. Not every client we work with has a vocabulary of gratitude. To do this job well, and to live a life where we’re being of service, means learning to live without the expectation of applause. It is NO indicator of your excellence.
One of the first things I like to learn, when working with a new celebrant-in-training, is ‘what are your top three values?’ This tells me a lot about them, but also helps them to see how this will shape their celebrancy. It is only when we live and work within the alignment of our values that we can truly say we’re being of service.
So, it’s always important as a Heart-led Celebrant to come back to basics: ‘What’s important to me? What do I value?’ This will shine out in your work.
Our job is to shine the light on our client (or their loved one), and not on ourselves. If we’re doing our job well that will be obvious.
Quite a lot of people come to celebrancy because, in their own words, they ‘want to be the centre of attention’.
LOOK AT ME. LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME.
This doesn’t fit with the ethos behind being of service. Our celebrant legacy―our mark on the world, if you like―is when we’ve been utterly charmed and mesmerised by the world around us and the people in it, and are inspired to weave our care, integrity, creativity, compassion and kindness into our days and work.
What exactly are we offering our ceremony clients if we need the world to be wowed by our charm?
When our focus is on being of service, rather than imposing ourselves onto the audience, we are inviting them into the ceremony we’ve created. And that truly is where the magic is: a moment in time lit by the intention of making a difference to others.
Veronika Robinson and Paul Robinson are a husband and wife team whose boutique celebrant training Heart-led Celebrants (also known as Celebrant Training UK) attracts people from around the world. Heart-led Celebrants has earned a reputation for excellence in celebrant training, and those who are certified exemplify the highest standards in the industry.
Veronika has been officiating beautiful, bespoke ceremonies since 1995. She is a certified Infant Loss Professional; founder of Penrith’s first Death Café; is a celebrant for the charity Gift of a Wedding; and mentors celebrants around the world.
Veronika is the author of many books including the popular Celebrant Collection: Write That Eulogy; The Successful Celebrant; Funeral Celebrant Ceremony Planner; Wedding Celebrant Ceremony Planner; The Blessingway. Three more titles will be added in January 2024: The Gentle Celebrant’s Guide: Funerals For Children; The Discrimination-free Celebrant; The Celebrant’s Guide to the Five Elements.
Award-winning voice artist, Paul Robinson, has had a whole career centred around his voice and other people’s. He’s highly experienced as a celebrant, trained actor, drama coach, voice-over artist, singer, broadcaster, compère, and ventriloquist. Paul is an excellent communicator and teacher, and has a sixth sense about how to relate to individuals, groups and audiences.
