Why More Families Are Choosing Celebrants Over Clergy

There was a time when almost every farewell was led by clergy — where the format, the words, and even the tone were already decided before the family walked through the door.

But in recent years, more families have been seeking something different.Something personal.Something that feels like them.

That shift is why celebrants now play such a central role in modern celebrations of life.

Here in Perth, that shift feels especially strong. Families are embracing ceremonies that reflect who their person really was — whether it’s a story-filled farewell in Kings Park, a beachside celebration in Fremantle, or a backyard ceremony surrounded by the people they loved. Perth families are choosing connection, story, and authenticity over structure — and that’s changing what modern farewells look and feel like.

It’s not about replacing faith — it’s about making space for meaning, in whatever form people find it.

A changing landscape

As our communities become more diverse, so do our beliefs.For some, faith still provides comfort and continuity.For others, connection comes from story, music, nature, or family.

A celebrant-led ceremony allows all of that to belong.It meets people where they are — with warmth, without assumption, and with a focus on the life that was lived rather than the rules that were followed.

That’s not rebellion. It’s evolution.

Ceremony that feels like the person

"A celebrant doesn’t begin with scripture — they begin with stories."

They ask who the person was: what made them laugh, how they loved, how they lived.

Every element is crafted around that — the readings, the tone, the flow.

For some families, that means a light, laughter-filled celebration.For others, it’s quiet and contemplative, held under a tree or in a small hall filled with photos.

There’s no template — only truth.

That’s the gift of a celebrant: they write in the language of your person.

Celebrant-Led Ceremonies in Perth — Real, Personal, and Honest

Across Perth and WA, celebrant-led ceremonies are becoming the new normal. They make space for individuality — for the stories, music, and memories that define a person’s life — while still honouring what’s sacred.

And just because a ceremony isn’t religious doesn’t mean it can’t hold faith, belief, or spirituality. In Perth, I often see people weaving those elements into their farewells in ways that feel true to them — not bound by a structure, but still grounded in meaning. Sometimes that’s a reading from scripture. Sometimes it’s talking about someone’s energy being released back into the universe in whatever form we imagine it might take.

I’ve stood beside families as they’ve chosen to include prayers, blessings, or reflections that honour the quiet belief systems that often sit beneath our everyday lives. Even people who weren’t religious often find comfort in those words when the time comes. And that’s exactly what a celebrant-led ceremony allows for — freedom, inclusion, and the understanding that belief, in whatever form it takes, can sit gently beside story.

Inclusivity at its heart

Celebrants hold space for everyone — for the deeply spiritual, the quietly agnostic, the questioning, the mixed-faith family who doesn’t know how to bridge their differences.

No one is excluded.No belief is dismissed.

A ceremony can include a prayer and a poem in the same breath — because both are expressions of love.

And in that way, celebrant-led ceremonies reflect modern Australia perfectly: varied, blended, open-hearted.

Freedom to choose

Choosing a celebrant gives families permission to decide what feels right. You can hold the ceremony at sunrise, on the beach, in a hall, or in your own backyard. You can include live music, a toast, a moment of silence, or a round of applause.

That freedom is powerful — not because it rejects tradition, but because it honours individuality.

A celebration of life doesn’t have to fit inside anyone else’s box. It just has to fit inside your heart.

Connection over convention

Clergy-led funerals often carry formality and structure, which for some can feel safe.But for others, it can feel distant — like the ceremony belongs to someone else.

A celebrant brings connection back to the centre.They look you in the eye.They speak in your language.They make sure your loved one is not just mentioned, but remembered — vividly, personally, beautifully.

It’s ceremony stripped back to what truly matters: love, memory, and meaning.

A bridge between worlds

For many families, working with a celebrant doesn’t mean leaving faith behind. It simply means blending the sacred and the personal.A hymn alongside a favourite song.A blessing alongside a story.

Celebrants don’t decide what should be said — they help you say what you already feel.

"They’re guides, not gatekeepers."

And that’s exactly what modern grief needs: space for everyone to belong.

Love is the common language

Whether a ceremony is led by clergy or by a celebrant, the heartbeat is always love.But more and more families are realising that love can be expressed in many languages — not all of them religious.

A celebrant’s role is simply to help you find yours.To tell the story honestly.To hold the space gently.To remind you that even in the deepest sorrow, meaning still exists — because love still exists.

And that’s something worth celebrating.

FAQ

Why are more families choosing celebrants in Perth?

Because celebrants create ceremonies that feel personal, inclusive, and real. Perth families want farewells that honour individuality — not a template.

Do celebrants replace religious leaders?

Not at all. Many celebrant-led ceremonies still include blessings, hymns, or prayers — they simply weave faith into a broader, story-driven framework.

Can I include both faith and personal elements in a celebration of life?

Absolutely. A celebrant helps blend the sacred and the personal — ensuring everyone feels seen, respected, and connected.

More by The Wordsmith

→ The Quiet Power of Saying Goodbye Your Way

→ Why Celebrations of Life Still Matter

If you’re looking for a celebrant to help honour someone you love, I’d be honoured to help you find the right words.

— Carina Quinn | The Wordsmith CelebrantCreating modern, heartfelt celebrations of life across Perth.