Today more than ever, personal funeral services that capture the essence of the departed person - their character, spirit and legacy - are being planned and conducted by civil celebrants in collaboration with family and friends of the deceased. With this move away from traditional funeral services, comes an increased responsibility for the funeral celebrant to honour the departed in an appropriate way, and make sure each service runs as smoothly as possible. This handbook is the ideal companion for qualified celebrants or church leaders, celebrants-in-training, or those who are thinking about entering this vocation. It covers every aspect of a service, beginning at the time of initial contact and the first meeting with the bereaved, right through to the service itself. In this book you will also find a varied collection of readings, poems and sample eulogies for each type of funeral service, as well as advice about conducting memorial services and funeral services with a difference.

Within these pages you will find an invaluable blueprint to building creative, exciting, organized, professional-level ceremonies of every kind. Whether you are looking to design a single spectacular dream event, improve your business, or launch a whole new career, this book will be your handy companion, as you move from planning to amazing success!* Unity Rituals * Cultural Etiquette* Ceremonial Diagrams * Business advice* Sample Questionnaires * Contracts* Legal Requirements by State * 100 Ceremony Readings * Preparation instructions for every modern ceremony

Say “I do” to tying the knot. “Officiant Lisa Francesca has literally written the book on how to plan the perfect ceremony.” —Martha Stewart Weddings According to a 2019 WeddingWire report based on data from more than 18,000 newlyweds, only twenty-five percent of weddings are taking place in religious institutions. More than one in three American weddings are being officiated by a friend or family member. With the officiating trend on the rise, novice officiants need a resource to guide them. In The Wedding Officiant’s Guide, interfaith minister Lisa Francesca breaks down the entire officiating process, from becoming an ordained officiant and interviewing the couple to drafting and performing a moving ceremony. Written in an engaging and friendly tone, and featuring empowering advice, suggested readings, stories and lessons learned from new officiants, and practical tips from wedding planners, this inviting handbook will help new officiants write and deliver a wedding ceremony that fulfills marriage laws, delights guests, and honors the marrying couple.

Guidance, advice, and ready-to-use sermons and services for the busy pastor Weddings and funerals are some of the most meaningful events in people's lives, and also some of the most challenging for the pastor to perform. Written with the needs of the busy pastor in mind, this popular and newly updated handbook includes everything necessary to conduct a variety of weddings and funerals, along with other common events such as Communion, baptisms, dedications, and ordinations. Helpful aids for weddings include services, vow renewals, messages, prayers, guidelines for vows, information on marriage laws, and, new in this edition, a service and message for second marriages. Guidance for funerals covers orders of service, quotations and reflections, and eulogies for a variety of circumstances, incorporating those with evangelistic appeal, untimely deaths, and suicide. New to this edition are funerals for service members, victims of violence, accidental deaths, cancer, and community tragedies. Additional new resources include blessing services for a home or special event and guidance for speaking at fraternal organizations. Pastors of all denominations will benefit from the services, advice, and resources in this sought-after handbook.

By the Power vested in me..is a Guide on how to celebrate/officiate a wedding ceremony. It includes information, forms, agreements, bridal party logistics, and step by step instructions, from the first meeting with the couple to the filing of the official documents with the court. Wedding etiquette, traditions, and personal experiences of the author are included. If you are officiating your first wedding, or you have been officiating weddings for many years, you will find this a helpful Guide.

From the authors of the Sunday Times bestseller The Little Book of Humanism A humanist wedding ceremony allows couples the freedom to express their love in a completely personal way - and choose what marriage means to them. In a beautiful collection of insights from humanist celebrants, plus quotes, poems and meditations from humanist writers and thinkers throughout history, The Little Book of Humanist Weddings is filled with inspiration to complement your unique celebration of love and commitment.

The newly updated and revised edition of the indispensable resource for Episcopal priests simplifies liturgical officiating and celebration of the rites of the Episcopal Church.