MY STORY
Why I became a Celebrant
Being able to help people is a source of joy in my life, and I have been helping people - in one way or another - all of my life.
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I had never thought about becoming a Celebrant...
until one of my best friends died.
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Her name was Pieta.
She was one of the greatest people to ever have graced the Earth and I miss her every day.
I have her name tattooed on my wrist to remind me to make the most of every opportunity, and to never take this life for granted - because she would have given anything to have lived.
​Pieta taught me so many valuable life lessons.
You can never understand the impact an individual can have on another and how you really feel about that person -
until they are no longer here.
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I learnt this life lesson after Pieta passed.
Time doesn’t heal the loss of someone you love – time only gives you the ability to learn how to live without them.
So, Pieta taught me to tell those close to me how I feel about them every day – in case there were no more tomorrows.
Pieta showed me the meaning of true strength and courage. She never lost her sense of humour or positivity – even when battling an enemy that was always going to win.
I was fortunate to spend time with her during her last weeks of life.
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I was there when she died.
I was a pall bearer and spoke at her funeral service.
When I struggled and emotion overwhelmed me, I was reassured by the Celebrant – she placed her hand gently on my back and whispered words of encouragement into my ear.
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“You can do this – just breathe”.
At the conclusion of the service, the Celebrant approached me and encouraged me to become a celebrant. I thought the idea was ridiculous and told her so... but then I thought about it.
​Maybe I could do this. It can’t hurt to try.
I enrolled in the courses to become a Marriage and Funeral Celebrant online, taking additional units in dealing with and managing grief and trauma.
Over the next few months I completed the course work and applied for registration with the Department of the Attorney General.
My authorisation was granted on what would have been Pieta’s birthday –
the 18th of November 2009.
I worked for the WA State Government for over 25 years, ​I love working collaboratively with teams of people and in front line customer service roles.​​
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I find people fascinating.
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I like to try and understand what drives people – why they do what they do - their behaviours and personalities.
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I love to hear people’s life stories; what they experienced, how they overcame adversity and to hear about their accomplishments.
​In the years after becoming an Authorised Celebrant, I conducted weddings for family and friends, as well as the occasional funeral service for family and friends.
I have always been curious about death - not in a morbid way - and how people deal with grief
and loss initially and in the longer term.
I knew I always wanted to be involved in the Funeral Industry, felt I could help people by applying the knowledge gained through my own, personal experiences with death, loss and grief, under different and very difficult circumstances.
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I always try to see the positive side to life - whatever the situation - but appreciate how difficult it is to maintain a positive outlook when life throws us curve balls.
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​​Life is a series of highs and lows – and it is important to understand and try to maintain a balance.
I think my life and career so far has been an apprenticeship for the work I do now.
I have been working as a Celebrant full time since leaving the employ of the State Government in 2016.
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It has been hard work and long hours, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If it wasn’t a challenge, it wouldn’t be as rewarding as it is.
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What I do is a privilege and an honour.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be involved in special moments in people’s lives.
Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your special day.