Selecting a Clergyman or Celebrant to Conduct a Memorial or Funeral Service in Lake City, FL

April 17, 2018 10:53 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

If you’re in the midst of planning a funeral service in Lake City, FL, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all of the choices and arrangements you have to make, not to mention the fact that you must cope with your own grief during this time. Although every choice you make is important when it comes to a funeral or memorial service, one of the most significant decisions you’ll have to make is which clergyman or celebrant you’ll choose to preside over the service. This individual will play a significant role in setting the tone for the service and helping attendees share their memories and celebrate the life of the individual who has died.

It can be helpful to ask yourself some questions to narrow your search and ensure that you are making the best choice possible:

  • Will this be a religious service? Before you can select an individual clergyman or celebrant, you will need to determine which kind of officiant is appropriate for the service. If you come from a religious family, and your loved one was religious, a clergyman is likely to be the best choice. If members of your family come from many different religious backgrounds, it may be good to get everyone’s input. It can also be comforting to choose a clergyman who knew your loved one.
  • What kind of tone do you want for the service? If the person who passed away had time to compile their last wishes, you may already have some direction when it comes to the tone of the memorial or funeral service in Lake City, FL. If, for example, they wanted an exuberant celebration of life, select an officiant who has a pleasant personality and will represent the joy that your loved one wanted to have conveyed.
  • How much can you afford? Ask upfront about the pricing and fees that an officiant charges. In many cases, people will conduct a service for free, but you should always ask. It is also common to give a clergyman who officiates for free an honorarium, a type of monetary gift, to compensate them for their time.
  • Does the celebrant or clergyman have relevant experience? In many cases, families have unique requests when it comes to funeral or memorial services. If your loved one wanted a themed service or had unique requests, ask the officiant you are considering whether they have the relevant experience to conduct the service.
  • Will the individual you choose respect the wishes of your loved one? The wishes of the individual who passed away should always come first. When you interview an officiant, make sure they are attentive and respectful of your loved one’s wishes. If they seem put off by certain elements of the service or they attempt to interject their own preferences into the planning process, it may be best to move on to a different officiant who will be more respectful.

Are you feeling overwhelmed while planning a memorial or funeral service in Lake City, FL? The team here at ICS Cremation & Funeral Home is here to help. We can walk you through every step of the planning process to ensure that your loved one’s wishes are honored through their service.

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