The essential information needed is mainly gained in an unhurried and caring interview with the family.
Once briefed, the celebrant must then go about the creative writing of the eulogy, usually in cooperation with the funeral director and making provision for selections of music which have been specially chosen by the family. Even with a great deal of preparation, no ceremony is delivered by Terry unless every detail of the eulogy is carefully rechecked with the family to ensure that it is accurate.
Then, with compassion, sincerity and care (the normal result of such careful preparation), Terry officiates and orchestrates the funeral ceremony, usually at the funeral parlour, crematorium or cemetery.
After the funeral service, Terry presents to the family the complete copy of the ceremony used that day in it’s folder.

Funeral Celebrants are not supported by any religious or other organisation. They are in the same position as your funeral director. They are independent professionals in a caring profession with all the same overheads and expenses of any business person. Celebrants are generous in their time with a bereaved family when they prepare for a ceremony. It is work involving care and skill and more often than not done out-of-hours.
It is time consuming and emotionally draining. The current guideline fee is $275. (2005). This fee covers most funerals.
Anyone familiar with trade or professional rates will realise that this fee is barely adequate for the hours of work involved. (There is nothing to stop any client paying the funeral celebrant what they consider represents an adequate fee !)

If clients require extra services (more than one interview, organising extra speakers, STD and ISD calls or faxes to members of the family interstate or overseas, extra copies of the ceremony etc.), the celebrant will invoice the client for the difference between the collected fee and the extra time and expenses involved. This, of course, will only occur after mutual discussion and agreement.
State funerals, "leading personality" and other demanding funerals, which involve days of work and preparation, are charged at an hourly rate.
Enquiries regarding these type of funerals, fees in general, or any other matters, should be directed to Terry.