Common Questions I Get Asked as a Funeral Celebrant in Melbourne

Working as a funeral celebrant in Melbourne is one of the most meaningful roles I can imagine. Every ceremony is different because every person is different — and it’s my privilege to help families create a farewell that truly reflects their loved one. Over the years, I’ve sat at countless kitchen tables, walked through family gardens, and shared cups of tea while people opened their hearts to me. And along the way, I’ve noticed that many of the same questions come up time and again.

If you’ve never planned a funeral before, you might not know where to start. So, I thought I’d gather together some of the most common questions I get asked as a funeral celebrant in Melbourne — and share my answers here. Hopefully, it will take a little mystery out of the process and give you some confidence if you ever find yourself arranging a service.

1. What does a funeral celebrant actually do?

This is the number one question — and it’s a great place to start. My role as a Melbourne funeral celebrant is to lead the ceremony, but it’s much more than standing at the lectern on the day.

I spend time with the family (sometimes hours) gathering stories, memories, and details that will help me create a personalised ceremony. I write a eulogy or life story that captures the essence of the person. I help you choose music, readings, rituals, or symbolic gestures that feel right. And then, on the day of the funeral, I guide the service with warmth and steadiness so the family doesn’t need to worry about the “running order.”

Put simply: I’m there to help tell the story, hold the space, and make sure everything flows.

2. How do you make a funeral personal?

Another common question — because many people fear a funeral will feel stiff or “cookie cutter.” The truth is, modern funerals in Melbourne are moving far away from one-size-fits-all traditions.

Personalisation can look like:

• Playing their favourite songs instead of standard hymns.

• Holding the service somewhere meaningful — like a garden, beach, or family home.

• Using humour as well as tears in the eulogy.

• Including family and friends as speakers, musicians, or even ritual leaders.

• Choosing symbols that resonate — maybe a tree planting, releasing biodegradable bubbles, or serving their favourite food at the wake.

As a celebrant, my job is to encourage you to share what made your person unique and then weave those details into a ceremony that feels like them.

3. Do we have to follow a traditional format?

Nope. There is no legal requirement in Victoria to hold a funeral in a particular way. Some families prefer the familiar structure — a welcome, readings, eulogy, music, reflection, and farewell. Others want something looser, or even no formal service at all.

For example, I’ve led funerals in chapels, cemeteries, community halls, private gardens, and even in people’s living rooms. I’ve created ceremonies that are deeply spiritual, and others that are proudly secular. I’ve seen services that last 20 minutes, and others that are more like half-day festivals of life.

The beauty of a celebrant-led funeral is flexibility. Together, we can design a ceremony that feels right for your family and your loved one.

4. Can we include humour in a funeral?

Absolutely — and I encourage it. Funerals are about honouring the whole person, not just the sorrow of their death. If they loved telling terrible jokes, let’s share a few. If they had a cheeky grin or a quirky habit, we’ll bring that to life. Laughter in the middle of tears is one of the most healing things I see.

In Melbourne especially, families often want to strike that balance between respect and lightness. Including humour doesn’t take away from the gravity of the moment — it simply makes the farewell more honest.

5. How long does a funeral usually last?

Most funeral ceremonies in Melbourne run between 30 and 60 minutes. But it really depends on the venue, the funeral director’s schedule, and how much you’d like to include.

Cemetery chapels often book services back-to-back, so timing is important there. But if you choose a private venue — like a community hall or a home funeral — you have more freedom to take your time.

As your celebrant, I’ll help you design a service that fits comfortably within the time you’ve booked, without feeling rushed.

6. Do we need a celebrant if we already have a funeral director?

Yes — because our roles are different. A funeral director handles the logistics: care of the body, paperwork, transport, bookings, coffins, cremation or burial arrangements.

A funeral celebrant handles the ceremony itself: writing the story, guiding the service, and holding emotional space for the family.

Some families choose to have a religious minister instead of a celebrant, which is absolutely fine if that reflects the person’s beliefs. But if you’d prefer a non-religious, modern, and personalised funeral in Melbourne, that’s where a celebrant steps in.

7. What happens if I get too emotional to speak?

This is such a tender question, and it comes up all the time. Many family members want to speak but worry they won’t get through it. My answer is: it’s okay if you cry. Tears are part of the ceremony, and no one expects perfection.

That said, I always have a printed copy of your words and will gently step in if you can’t continue. Sometimes I’ll read the remainder on your behalf, or we’ll tag-team it. Either way, your message will be heard, and your presence at the lectern will be felt.

8. Can we hold a funeral at home?

Yes, you can — and more families in Melbourne are exploring this option. Home funerals or home vigils allow for a more intimate, relaxed atmosphere. It can feel deeply comforting to farewell your person in the place they loved most.

Home funerals may involve more planning (logistics around the coffin, seating, and catering), but with the right funeral director and celebrant, it can be a beautiful choice.

9. Do funerals always have to be sad?

Not necessarily. Funerals are emotional, yes, but they can also be uplifting. Many families now prefer to call them “celebrations of life.” That doesn’t mean glossing over grief — but it does mean leaning into joy, memory, and gratitude as much as mourning.

A well-crafted ceremony can hold space for all of it: sadness, laughter, reflection, love, and sometimes even music and dancing.

Final Thoughts

Being a funeral celebrant in Melbourne means I walk alongside families at one of the hardest moments of their lives. The questions I hear — about format, humour, timing, or personalisation — are all rooted in a single truth: people want a farewell that feels genuine.

If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: there are no rigid rules. With the right celebrant and funeral director, you can create a funeral that feels authentic, comforting, and true to the person you’ve lost.

And if you ever have questions — big or small — don’t be afraid to ask. That’s exactly what I’m here for.