News

All statements, guidelines and updates from the Council regarding coronavirus (Covid-19) will be posted here.

Important opportunity for Celebrants to respond to CMA Funeral Investigation draft order

The Funeral Celebrancy Council has submitted a response (below) to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Draft Order Funeral Market Investigation on the subject of celebrant fees, and the listing of a ‘funeral officiant’ fee by funeral directors in the Standard Price List. We feel that the listing of a one-size-fits-all officiant fee for ministers and celebrants alike is not fair to many celebrants and suggest an alternative solution advising the consumer of their options.

We invite all celebrants to read the CMA Draft Order and to respond urgently themselves to the CMA regarding this matter. The deadline for responses is Monday 17th May 2021 at 5pm. to funerals@cma.gov.uk

The Draft Order can be viewed here (Pages 1-9 and the Standard Price List on page 20 are of particular interest.)

The Funeral Celebrancy Council Response:

“The Funeral Celebrancy Council has been aware for some time now of the oftentime opaque nature of how celebrants are chosen for clients, and how celebrant fees are both decided, and paid. We are therefore concerned that the choice to include celebrant fees in the Standardised FD Price List under: ‘Additional Funeral Director Products and Services’ misleads the client, giving the impression that both celebrant selection and celebrant fees are controlled by the FD. In view of the fact that celebrants are self-employed, can be engaged directly by the client, and can charge what they like (to fix fees potentially contravenes Competition Law) we would suggest removing the line ‘Funeral officiant (minister, celebrant etc)..’ and instead create a new section completely.

This could be titled ‘Funeral Officiant / Celebrant / Minister’ and an explanatory note should introduce this section, explaining: ‘You may wish to engage an officiant, celebrant or minister to lead your funeral ceremony. Many are self-employed, and fees vary according to scope of work and location. It is important you choose someone you feel comfortable with. You can pay them directly, or if you wish, the funeral director can both recommend and engage them on your behalf. If they do this, fees will be treated as a third party ‘disbursement’, which will be passed on to you as part of the final FD invoice.’-

Guidance regarding face-coverings for celebrants during ceremonies

The representatives of the council understand that the past year has been very challenging for funeral celebrants. Circumstances have required us all to adapt our working practices and respond responsibility to guidelines as they are issued. There has been anxiety about mandated face-covering and we hope that the attached document, issued in August 2020 by SAIF will help give clarity. There is no ‘one size fits all’ for every situation. Please continue to assess risk and respond appropriately to comply with government guidance including social distancing, face-covering and hand-washing.

Please remember, you must maintain your distance from clients and funeral guests at all times; indoor home visits continue to be against government guidelines, as is physical contact such as handshaking. If you are at all concerned about restrictions at your local crematorium, please call them and ask for their current guidance for celebrants and ministers.

A statement regarding Key Worker status

On 25 March 2020, both NAFD and SAIF confirmed that they consider funeral celebrants essential to the management of the deceased and are, therefore, to be regarded as essential key workers in the funeral industry, under government guidelines.

This confirmation of both NAFD and SAIF recognition of celebrants as key workers may be passed to crematorium staff and funeral directors, who may have been unsure about the status of funeral celebrants.

The Funeral Celebrancy Council will continue to issue updates in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is vitally important to ensure the safest possible working conditions for celebrants. Please refer to our Guidelines for Funeral Celebrants in Response to Coronavirus. Whilst the majority of celebrants are self-employed, and responsibility for welfare lies solely with the individual, these the guidelines are offered as a coherent approach to help protect, not only the health and welfare of the bereaved people we serve, but also fellow professionals, our own families and friends, wider society, and ourselves.

Download Guidelines for Funeral Celebrants in Response to Coronavirus

In response to the cononavirus pandemic, and recognising the variety of approaches from funeral directors, crematoria and cemeteries, The Funeral Celebrancy Council has drawn up some guidelines to support celebrants. We recognise the situation is dynamic, and that there may well be a need to update the guidelines as matters progress. Please check this page for updates.

Whilst the majority of celebrants are self-employed, and responsibility for welfare lies solely with the individual, these guidelines are offered as a coherent approach to help protect, not only the health and welfare of the bereaved people we serve, but also fellow professionals, our own families and friends, wider society, and ourselves.