I’ve been looking forward to interviewing Laura since we first spoke at the end of 2023. She’s got the most amazing energy and enthusiasm for her work. I found her an absolute joy over the six weeks of her training. Laura was already a succesful Wedding and Vow Renewal Celebrant when she took our Funeral Celebrant training, for which she achieved a Distinction. Laura’s going to make a difference in our profession, I am sure.
What initially made you decide to become an Independent Celebrant?
Laura Crockett, Celebrant:
It was in 2019 and I worked as a breakfast radio presenter which meant I worked early shifts – 5am – 12pm most days. At the time I had no children, so I had lots of free time in the afternoon! I wanted to retrain in something that could be a ‘futureproof’ career and would work around starting a family. We got married in 2017. I loved the world of weddings and knew I wanted to work in the industry eventually. I had no idea what a celebrant was when we got married. When I discovered the role I knew it was something I was made for! Working with people, listening to and telling love stories? What’s not to love?
What skills do you think you bring to the role?
Laura Crockett, Celebrant:
I am very personable which I think is very important when working in this role. Whether it be weddings, namings or funerals. You are working with couples and families at a very emotional time of their lives. It is important to make them feel comfortable. I’m very enthusiastic which I think works well particularly when planning the ceremony and discussing different ideas. I am a positive person which I think is important when planning a funeral. I like to focus on the positive areas of the person’s story. And to refer to my ceremonies as ‘Celebrations Of Life’. My skills in presenting also help when it comes to delivering a service as I know how to keepeveryone engaged.
You were already a successful wedding celebrant when you took our funeral celebrant training. What made you decide to add funerals to what you offer?
Laura Crockett, Celebrant:
When I first trained to be a celebrant I only trained in weddings. I was worried that I would find funerals ‘too sad’. So it wasn’t until a few years later that I realised this wasn’t the case and that being a funeral celebrant is such a humbling role. It is an honour to be trusted by a family to be able to share their loved one’s life story. I’ll never tire of hearing about the fascinating lives people have led.
I was actually inspired to move into funerals by my best friend who we very sadly lost in 2022. I wrote a poem for her funeral and I was so passionate about making sure it was perfect. To give her the very best send off she deserved. And I helped the family with some parts of the day. It truly made me realise how much emotion and effort goes into planning a funeral.
You feel like no matter what you do, it can never be enough. How can you share how incredible that person was and what they meant to everyone who loved them in such a short amount of time? This is when I first thought I’d like to start offering funerals. To be able to help other grieving families give their loved ones the send off they deserve, and share the beautiful stories of their life.
We moved half way across the country and have our second baby in 2023. So it wasn’t until the end of that year that I really decided to go for it. I met with some fellow celebrants who lived locally and after discussing funeral celebrancy with them I realised I was ready.
What were the key take-aways for you from completing your training as an Independent Funeral Celebrant?
Laura Crockett, Celebrant:
Dinah is the most inspiring, knowledgeable, and approachable mentor! Before I started my training I told a colleague I was going to be training with her and they described her as ‘mesmerising’. They couldn’t have been more right!
How important it is to listen. Whether it be listening to stories of loved ones, listening to a family’s grief or listening to the plans already in place for the service.
That building relationships in the industry is really important. We work so closely with funeral directors, crematoriums, burial grounds and other suppliers. It is really important to earn and keep their trust.
The process! Dinah made it so clear what happens from start to finish when working with a new family. That made me feel confident when it came to delivering my first service. I knew the process from beginning to end.
What type of ceremony would you love to create – if there were no limits on time or budget?
Laura Crockett, Celebrant:
I would really love to offer a living funeral for someone who may have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It would be at a venue that was really meaningful to them, with tributes from all of their family and friends and some live music too! I would love for the ceremony to be everything they wanted and for them to see how much they are loved. I once delivered a memorial and the coffin had been hand painted by the person’s best friend and it was so special, so I would love for everyone to be able to come and decorate the coffin during the service so it was really personal.
If you were to look back three years from now, what goals do you hope to have achieved in your business?
Laura Crockett, Celebrant:
I would like to:
Be a well established funeral celebrant in the area and have built strong relationships with 3 local funeral directors.
To conduct a funeral at the local natural burial ground. (Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground)
Be in the top three on Google for funeral celebrants in South Warwickshire / The North Cotswolds.
What top tip would you give to anyone exploring the idea of training as an Independent Celebrant?
Laura Crockett, Celebrant:
DO IT!!!
But in all honesty, it is one of the best career choices I have ever made. It is hard work running your own business around a young family but that is also one of the things I love the most about the role – that it can fit in around family life. You have to be prepared to work evenings and weekends but if you are happy with this then it really can be flexible. A great idea would be to follow Dinah on social media and watch her videos as she is always sharing different insights into the role, this can give you more of an idea of what it entails and whether it would be right for you. I would also say make sure you make time for your training to really get the most of it. You get out what you put in so make sure you have the time to dedicate to the training and make it a priority.
Tell us five things about yourself – Laura the person, rather than the Celebrant.
Laura Crockett, Celebrant:
– I was a radio presenter before becoming a celebrant and it is the other best job in the world! I was always told off for talking at school so I knew I would make it my job one day!
– I’m married to a primary teacher and we have two young boys – they are 1.5 and 3! I fit my work in around my family and it is sometimes a very difficult balancing act but I am so grateful I have a job that means I can spend so much time with my children before they grow up and start school (and realise how ‘uncool’ their mum is!)
– I love baking! I’m not amazing at it, but I make a great Victoria sponge and I always make my family’s birthday cakes!!
– I love colour and hardly ever wear black! In fact I struggle when I have to wear black for a funeral as most of my wardrobe is colourful.
– I ran the London Marathon in 2019 in 5 hours and 27 minutes – the same time as Natalie Cassidy aka Sonia from Eastenders!!
How can people contact you:
www.lauracrockettcelebrant.com
info@lauracrockettcelebrant.com