Happy Funerals - A handbook for Celebrants and Grieving families - by John Terry Moore. 

This e-book has been targeted at practising funeral celebrants who are interested in improving their performance, marriage celebrants and others who are contemplating entry into the funeral industry, and also the general public. This book is also intended as a reference book, on hand in the family home in case the unthinkable happens.

To purchase this excellent e-book at $ 19.95
Visit the Book Section of the ACCN Celebrant Shop.

BOOK REVIEW
Review by Robyn O’Connell
Vice Chair CCN Inc National Committee

HAPPY FUNERALS

A handbook for celebrants and grieving families

By John Terry Moore

From the acknowledgements you soon realize that John Terry Moore is an accomplished and thoughtful Funeral Celebrant.  His comment of “whether you realize it or not, you are an intrinsic part of the grieving process of your client families” sadly is a fact many celebrants forget, or don’t look on as being that important – it is!

He writes:  ‘What this book seeks to do is to ensure the ceremony is written and presented in such a way that the impact on grieving families is lessened and a real process of healing is embarked upon, generated by the funeral ceremony itself.’ And indeed it does.  A comment about ‘celebrants and church leaders seeing their own beliefs as more important than the feelings of family and friends of the deceased’, may well ruffle some feathers, however the writer tends to agree with this view. 

While this book is recommended for celebrants and grieving families, I’m not too sure about its suitability for grieving families, although those that choose to ‘do it themselves’ may well benefit.

I would certainly recommend it as a mandatory read for new funeral celebrants.  But like with all books, you need to keep your own thoughts and not be too swayed by the opinions of others.  Take them on board, even challenge their or your own thoughts, but still remain true to yourself and your style.

The book is written in a clear and concise manner, divided into chapters  addressing different parts, makes it easy to follow and refer back to.

For a ‘new to funerals’ celebrant there is much to be gained from this book.  Even as a more seasoned celebrant, I found the book still engaging and thought provoking.  While most of my thoughts were aligned, there were some that made me want to challenge his ideas – however this too is a good outcome – we should all be challenged about our thinking.

Robyn O’Connell
Civil Marriage and Funeral Celebrant
Melbourne Victoria

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