Imitation in the Celebrant Industry

© by Veronika Robinson

While it has been said that ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’, there is a point for arguing, certainly in the celebrant industry, that it’s just plain theft.

For reference, the quote in full is:

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”
― Oscar Wilde

We often talk to our celebrants-in-training about how celebrancy is an unregulated industry and the ramifications of that, for better and for worse. But what of the celebrant trainers themselves? Sure, a number of them tout NOCN or other training badges but they’re certainly not regulated. When celebrant-training companies or sole-traders imitate (COPY) another celebrant-training provider’s content, modules, blogs and language/wording, this isn’t flattery, it’s plagiarism (theft) and denotes lack of original thinking. I wonder if their students/delegates would be so quick to sign up with them if they were aware of this?

 

 

The truth is that if a celebrant-training provider can’t generate their own original material, then what are they even doing in their job? Certain phrases come to mind: “the layperson leading the layperson”. Or, “the inexperienced guiding the inexperienced”. In my opinion, imitation of our work by other trainers isn’t flattery. It is a sign of their inexperience and incompetence. All it does is highlight our unique training and holistic business model.

Someone who is claiming a position of leadership should not be a follower.

When I was trying to teach myself to draw and paint, I looked at other people’s art for guidance and inspiration (I failed miserably). People don’t copy things they think are rubbish. They copy because they see something of value that they couldn’t create themselves. And, in this industry, more often than not it’s because celebrant-training providers have little, or worse, no experience. I know it’s hard to believe but there are training providers who bought someone else’s business despite ZERO experience as a celebrant. And then, of course, there are countless training providers who’ve only had a few years as working celebrants (and therefore have YEARS of learning ahead of them), and who are teaching the inexperienced. I don’t understand this. After thirty years as a celebrant, I bring to my training the LIVED experience of being a celebrant who understands longevity as a celebrant business owner.

Because of the lack of standards in the UK, and proliferation of trainers who themselves weren’t trained well, there’s a lot of misinformation or poor celebrant practices. They (and the students they aim to teach) don’t know what they don’t know. They have an inkling that they don’t know, hence the imitation. 

Our training brings beauty, love and reverence to the world by way of each certified Heart-led Celebrant who goes on to shine their unique light. We are so proud of each and every one.

What can certified Heart-led Celebrants learn from this post?

• Focus on your own business, not that of another celebrant
• Your clients will choose you because of who YOU are, so be yourself
• Build your business from the ground up with solid ideas
• Celebrate your originality; it is a gift
• Your celebrant business is an extension of your heart
• Invest your heart into making an art of your values
• Believe in yourself
• No one can steal your clients. What’s meant for you won’t pass you by
• Create your business with ease, grace and beauty
• Bring love to all that you do
• If someone poaches content from your website or ceremonies (whether in person or via livestream), call them out on it. Your intellectual copyright is yours. Own it.
• You’re a fantastic celebrant who has worked hard for the right to be called a certified Heart-led Celebrant. If someone is copying you, it’s because they know your style is of the highest calibre.

All celebrants should be aware of what they bring to their own practice in regards to intellectual copyright (theirs and other people’s), and what that might look like. For example, whenever I’m asked to fill in for another celebrant, whether I’m asked by them or a distressed client or Funeral Director needing my SOS services, I never use another celebrant’s script (no matter how little notice I have). I always write it in my style/voice and manner. In the event I am reading a eulogy, for example, that a family member has written I will always say it was written by them (even if they’re shy and don’t want the glory!)

 

This industry is composed of cowboys, charlatans and competent curators of ceremonies and training. Whether the celebrant industry or the celebrant-training industry is regulated or not, the bottom line is we’re all adults. We shouldn’t need an outside body (or a blog post like this) to tell us we need to live and work with integrity. 

Veronika Robinson and Paul Robinson are a husband and wife team whose boutique celebrant training Heart-led Celebrants 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 a celebrant for over thirty years, and 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 Discrimination-free Celebrant; The Five Elements.

Award-winning voice artist, Paul Robinson, has had a whole career (more than fifty years) 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.

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