Est. In 2023.
Est. In 2023.
We don’t have a receptionist so during busy times we may not be able to come to the phone. If you leave a message we will always call you back, please make sure you leave your number.
Please note all calls will be made during office hours, 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays and may come from a withheld number.
Payments need to be made before you are given access to your learners portal as detailed within the Booking Terms and Conditions. Due to this our preferred payment method is with the payment being made through our online shopping cart or PayPal or bank transfer. Please note that the School of Civil Celebrancy do not take cash payments.
We pride ourselves on our ethics and principles of fairness and accessibility. We charge what the course and the running of the course actually costs. Because we offer a self-managed learning programme, we are able to keep costs low. We don’t add money onto the training just because we can. By doing this we make the gaining of a Celebrancy qualifications more achievable for a number of people. We believe that Celebrancy qualifications should be open and available to everyone.
Yes, we offer this through PayPal. If you are eligible, PayPal will allow you to split your payment over three months or longer if you have PayPal credit. This all depends on your PayPal account settings and status.
As a company, we have chosen not to offer the Advanced Learner Loan.
The reason for this is that the loan has to be paid back, and interest is added from the date the first payment is made.
Advanced Learner Loans are repaid through the student loan system. For learners starting an eligible course on or after August 1, 2023, repayments are currently made under Plan 5. This means repayments begin once income is over the repayment threshold. For the 2026/27 tax year, this threshold is £25,000 per year, with repayments set at 9% of income above that amount.
As of June 2026, many celebrants charge around £200 to £250 per funeral and £600 to £800 for a wedding. Depending on a learner’s wider income and how quickly their celebrancy work develops, repayments may begin sooner than expected.
It is very important to choose a course that leads to a nationally recognised qualification, awarded by an awarding body. We offer nationally recognised qualifications from the National Open College Network (NOCN), formerly known as the Open College Network (OCN).
The number of Celebrants has increased greatly over recent years due to an increased demand for our services and the increase in courses available. At the School of Civil Celebrancy, we strive to drive up and maintain the quality standards of our services, making us measurable and giving our clients reassurance that our services exceed their expectations at the important milestones in life.
The Wedding and Funeral industry operates to high professional standards and at the School of Civil Celebrancy. We believe each Celebrant should meet the same standards.
As Celebrants, we love what we do, we are good at what we do and we want to feel proud to be part of an industry with exemplary standards.
Taking the external qualifications is to pursue continued improvement and take personal responsibility for exemplary standards in your practice.
This depends on the level of qualification taken, your experience as a working Celebrant and the time you are prepared to commit. We allow you:
NOCN Level 3 certificate in Civil Celebrancy – six months
NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy – ten months
NOCNLevel 3 Diploma in Naming and Couples Celebrancy – ten months
NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy and Naming and Couples Celebrancy – twelve months
To complete each course you enrol on but this can be completed quicker.
Please note that you must log into the Learners Portal within 60 days; otherwise, the portal will mark your course dormant. Please see the Booking Terms and Conditions for further information. No attendance is needed to complete this course.
All the training team at the School of Civil Celebrancy are fully qualified, holding the NOCN Level 3 Certificate in Civil Celebrancy, NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy, NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Celebrancy: Naming & Couples Ceremonies along with teaching, assessing and IQA qualifications. We are also members of the CCC which is the Civil Celebrant Connection and follow the Celebrant Accord.
It is extremely important that the information you give us is complete and correct. If you require any help with learning, this needs to be declared at the time of booking. If you have an Educational Report Statement or an Educational Health Care Report/Plan, outlining your learning needs, this needs to be submitted prior to starting the course, so that the relevant help and support can be discussed and put in place. If we are not able to facilitate your requirements, we will work with you to help try find a suitable training school which will be able to facilitate your requirements.
No all our courses are assessed my portfolio of evidence, made up of written assignments and vocational effidance.
We operate a system of continual assessment, which means your progress is monitored throughout your course rather than being assessed only at the end.
Your work will be reviewed by your course assessor, who will provide feedback and guidance as you move through each stage of your training. To ensure quality and consistency, assessment decisions are also supported through our Internal Quality Assurance process. Where required, our External Quality Assurer may also review assessment standards to make sure they meet the expectations of the awarding organisation.
This helps ensure that every learner is assessed fairly, consistently, and in line with recognised quality assurance standards.
If English is not your first language and you feel that you may have difficulties understanding parts of the course, please discuss this with us prior to the course so that we can help to make it as beneficial as possible for you. Please note that all training material is produced in English.
The School of Civil Celebrancy produces all its training manuals electronically. These are downloadable as you work through your course.
Your certificate will be emailed to you once you have completed your course, the assessment process has been completed, and NOCN is satisfied that all learning outcomes have been met.
We do however recommend the Complete Celebrant Handbook by Han Hills. This is great resource and starts from £9.99.
For further information please see our reading list.
The School of Civil Celebrancy started teaching learners in 2023. The team however have many years teaching experience and working within the education system and also 26 years of ministry and celebrancy experience. We have become well known for our standard of education and celebrancy training during this time. For us, a training school, we are incredibly passionate that every learner meets their full potential to become the best celebrant they can be, with the best qualification they can have.
Over the years we have won awards for our education standards and the service we offer our learners. Our training team are handpicked because they have shown the qualities we believe make them good tutors. Each tutor must have a minimum of three years of experience in the modality they are teaching.
During your time with us, we make sure that all learning outcomes have been reached comfortably, ensuring that you have the confidence to deliver the modality you are studying.
Here at the School of Civil Celebrancy , we believe in not rushing your course. You will see some training providers offer a level 3 qualification 2 weeks. We allow you ten months to complete your course
It is important that when you are studying that you are learning and understanding what you are doing and not just learning to pass an assessment.
The NOCN Level 3 Certificate in Civil Celebrancy in the UK is designed to provide learners with an understanding of the profession of civil Celebrancy. Learners will gain knowledge and skills relating to the creation and conduct of both civil funeral services and distinct celebratory civil ceremonies.
The qualification will provide learners with an opportunity to:
The NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy is designed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge, understanding and competencies required to become a self-employed Funeral Celebrant.
The NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Celebrancy: Naming and Couples is designed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge, understanding and competencies required to become a self-employed Naming and Couples Celebrant.
The qualification will provide learners with an opportunity to:
We now offer the Dual Diploma option for best value and flexibility in your chosen career.
For a detailed explanation on this matter please see a blog post that fully explains this. Please click here for the Blog post
We don’t currently offer the Level 4 Funeral Celebrancy qualification. Whilst we fully encourage CPD, in fact we believe it is a vital part of professional Celebrancy, we also recognise that different celebrants have widely different development needs. We acknowledge that our diverse celebrant colleagues work in a variety of ways and have a multitude of specialisms. To incorporate all these wonderful, advanced and specialised attributes into one Level 4 qualification would be unworkable! So we can see that necessarily the Level 4 qualification has had to limit the advanced training to a few key areas.
There might not be a qualification available for your chosen specialism or for the area in which you are developing. Individual study via reading, training, mentoring and multi-media resources can be used to achieve the required level of skill or knowledge. As an NOCN accredited organisation, we recommend that you maintain a log of your ongoing professional development including dates, methods and summary of learned content. This way all learners are able to upskill using the learning method most suitable to their learning style.
The Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy remains the best qualification in which you demonstrate your skill as a fully rounded funeral celebrant. It’s challenging, even for experienced celebrants. Once achieved, celebrants are confident they are highly qualified and have reached a level of expertise that far exceeds the Certificate in UK Celebrancy.
Established celebrants will find themselves gravitating to a certain niche, specialism or ways of working. Some choose to specialise in specific rituals. Others offer beautifully handcrafted stationary and mementos as part of their standard service. Some write their own poetry.
Some choose not to offer baby funerals (this can often be due to deeply personal reasons). Some work in teams or partnerships, playing to their strengths. These are just a few examples and they may not be for every celebrant. As long as Funeral directors and bereaved families receive an excellent service, we believe celebrants should work in their own unique way.
In our view, the Level 4 qualification is currently on-the-one-hand necessarily limited, but on the other too disparate. For advanced CPD, we would prefer to see a wider range of specialisms available from which celebrants may choose 4 or 5 to achieve the qualification. This would recognise a far broader range of gifts, talents and chosen specialist areas.
It would also allow for celebrants who work in partnerships or teams to concentrate on improving their specific skill set and / or niche.
With the possibility of future regulation for funeral celebrants, it is important that the recognised highest standard for a rounded funeral celebrant is the Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy, and that the celebrant industry remain united on this point to avoid splintering into a profusion of niches.
The Level 4 qualification will suit some celebrants as their next step for CPD however, it is not for everyone and remains one option. There are a plethora of others to suit experienced, Diploma qualified funeral celebrants.
The School of Civil Celebrancy are not currently a CPD training organisation however we will keep this under review.
Yes. All of our courses are delivered through live, tutor-led online training rather than relying solely on pre-recorded videos or self-directed learning.
We believe that becoming a celebrant is about far more than reading course materials. It involves developing confidence, learning how to communicate with families and couples, understanding ceremony structure and gaining practical skills that can only be developed through discussion, guidance and feedback.
Our live Zoom sessions allow learners to ask questions throughout the day, take part in group discussions and benefit from the knowledge and experience of practising celebrants who understand the realities of the profession.
Learning alongside other students also creates a supportive environment where ideas can be shared, experiences discussed and confidence developed. Many learners tell us that the interaction with tutors and fellow learners is one of the most valuable parts of their training.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, we believe that personal support is one of the key reasons our learners feel confident and well prepared when they begin conducting ceremonies. Live teaching provides opportunities to explore real-life situations, discuss challenges and receive immediate guidance throughout the course.
Our teaching is delivered live using Zoom, allowing learners to interact directly with experienced tutors throughout every training session.
Live learning offers significant advantages over studying entirely through recorded videos. Learners can ask questions as they arise, take part in discussions, observe demonstrations and receive explanations that are tailored to the group’s needs.
While course materials and learning resources remain available to support independent study, our focus is on providing real-time teaching and interaction. This helps learners develop confidence while ensuring they fully understand the topics being covered before progressing to the next stage of their qualification.
Because celebrancy involves communication, empathy and practical skills, we believe these are best developed through live learning rather than passive observation.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, our aim is to create an engaging learning experience that combines flexibility with personal support. Studying from home should never mean studying alone.
We understand that unexpected situations can occasionally arise, and we always encourage learners to contact us as soon as possible if they are unable to attend a scheduled training session.
The options available will depend on the stage of the course, the content that has been missed and the availability of future training dates. Wherever possible, we will work with learners to help them continue their studies and minimise any disruption to their learning.
Because our courses are interactive and tutor-led, attendance is an important part of the learning experience. Live discussions, practical exercises and tutor feedback form an integral part of the programme and cannot always be replicated through independent study alone.
If you know in advance that you are unable to attend, we recommend discussing the situation with your tutor so that suitable arrangements can be considered.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, we recognise that life does not always go to plan. Our aim is to support learners wherever reasonably possible while maintaining the quality and integrity of the qualification.
The amount of study required will vary depending on the qualification you choose, your previous experience and the pace at which you prefer to learn.
In addition to attending live training sessions, learners should allow regular time each week to complete reading, research, written assignments and reflection. Setting aside consistent study time often makes learning more manageable than trying to complete large amounts of work at the last minute.
Many of our learners successfully study alongside full-time employment, family responsibilities and other commitments. Flexible learning allows you to work through your coursework at a pace that suits your circumstances while continuing to receive tutor support throughout your qualification.
Rather than focusing on the number of hours studied, we encourage learners to concentrate on producing thoughtful, high-quality work that demonstrates genuine understanding. Celebrancy is a profession built on communication, empathy and professionalism, and these qualities develop gradually through both study and practical experience.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, we provide guidance throughout the course to help learners plan their workload and make steady progress towards qualification.
Yes. Constructive feedback forms an important part of the learning process and helps learners develop both their confidence and their professional skills.
Submitting coursework is not simply about achieving a pass. It is an opportunity to receive personalised guidance that highlights strengths, identifies areas for improvement and encourages continued development.
Our tutors carefully review learners’ work and provide feedback designed to support progress while maintaining the standards expected of nationally recognised qualifications. This ongoing dialogue helps learners refine their writing, improve their ceremony structure and strengthen their understanding of professional practice.
Many learners tell us that the feedback they receive becomes one of the most valuable aspects of their training because it helps them develop skills that continue to benefit them long after they have qualified.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, we view feedback as an essential part of becoming a confident and capable celebrant. Learning is a journey, and supportive guidance plays an important role in helping every learner reach their full potential.
We understand that learners are naturally keen to receive feedback on their work and continue progressing through their qualification.
Coursework is marked as promptly as possible while ensuring that every submission receives the time and attention it deserves. Rather than simply awarding a grade, tutors carefully review each piece of work to provide meaningful feedback that supports continued learning.
Marking times may occasionally vary depending on the volume of submissions, holiday periods or other operational commitments. However, our aim is always to return work within a reasonable timeframe so that learners can continue making steady progress.
We believe that thoughtful, constructive feedback is far more valuable than rushing the marking process. Every assignment represents an opportunity for learners to improve their knowledge, confidence and professional skills.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, quality is always prioritised over speed. Our goal is to ensure that learners receive feedback that genuinely contributes to their development as professional celebrants.
No. All of our courses are delivered online through live Zoom training, allowing learners to study from the comfort of their own home or workplace.
This approach removes the need for expensive travel, overnight accommodation and time away from work or family commitments. It also enables learners from across the UK, and further afield, to benefit from the same high-quality tutor-led training regardless of their location.
Although learning takes place online, our courses remain highly interactive. Learners participate in discussions, ask questions, share ideas and receive individual support throughout their studies. Many tell us that the online classroom quickly develops into a welcoming and supportive learning community.
Studying from home also allows learners to revisit course materials, complete coursework at their own pace and balance their studies around other responsibilities.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, we have found that live online learning offers an excellent balance of flexibility, accessibility and personal support without compromising the quality of the educational experience.
To gain the greatest benefit from your training, we recommend using a desktop computer or laptop with a reliable internet connection, webcam and microphone.
Because our courses involve live tutor-led teaching, learners should be able to participate fully in discussions, view presentations and complete practical activities during each session. A larger screen also makes it easier to work with course materials, write assignments and access online resources.
While tablets and smartphones can sometimes be used to join Zoom sessions, they are generally not suitable for completing coursework or fully participating in the learning experience. For this reason, we strongly recommend using a computer whenever possible.
You will also need access to word-processing software to complete written assignments and a printer may be helpful for learners who prefer working with printed course materials, although it is not essential.
Before your course begins, we provide guidance to help ensure you have everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable learning experience.
Absolutely. We recognise that every learner is different, and we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment for everyone.
Many people with dyslexia become outstanding celebrants. In fact, the qualities that make someone an excellent celebrant—such as empathy, creativity, listening skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships—are not defined by the way they read or write.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, we understand that some learners may benefit from additional support during their studies. We encourage learners to discuss any learning needs with us before or during their course so that we can work together to identify appropriate support where possible.
Support may include allowing additional time for written work where appropriate, offering guidance in different ways, providing clear instructions and encouraging learners to ask questions whenever they need clarification. Our tutors are approachable and understand that everyone learns differently.
Our aim is to remove unnecessary barriers to learning while maintaining the standards required for nationally recognised qualifications. We believe that with the right support, encouragement and commitment, learners with dyslexia can thrive within the celebrancy profession.
The School of Civil Celebrancy is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment where learners are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
We recognise that disabilities can affect people in different ways, and we encourage prospective learners to speak with us before enrolling if they have any concerns or specific requirements. Having these conversations early allows us to explore reasonable adjustments wherever possible and ensure learners receive appropriate support throughout their studies.
Our courses are delivered online, which many learners find beneficial as it removes the need to travel and allows them to study in familiar surroundings. However, we understand that individual needs vary, and we are always happy to discuss how we may be able to support each learner.
While we must maintain the learning outcomes and assessment standards required for regulated qualifications, we are committed to helping learners achieve their full potential wherever reasonable adjustments can be made.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, we believe that ability should never be judged by disability. Our focus is on creating an environment in which learners are supported to succeed while developing the confidence and professionalism needed to become successful celebrants.
Yes. We understand that some learners may benefit from additional guidance during their studies, and we encourage anyone who feels they may need extra support to discuss this with us.
Learning support is not limited to those with diagnosed learning differences. Some learners simply appreciate additional guidance while returning to education after many years, balancing study with work or family commitments, or developing confidence in academic writing.
Our tutors are approachable and committed to helping learners succeed. We encourage questions throughout the course and provide constructive feedback designed to support continuous improvement rather than simply assessing completed work.
Where appropriate, we will work with learners to identify practical ways of supporting their learning while ensuring that the integrity of the qualification is maintained.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, we believe that asking for support is a strength rather than a weakness. Every learner deserves the opportunity to achieve their potential within a positive and encouraging learning environment.
Yes, and we actively encourage prospective learners to do so.
Choosing the right training provider is an important decision, and we believe you should have the opportunity to ask questions before committing to a course. Speaking directly with an experienced member of our team allows you to discuss your career goals, understand the different qualification options and decide whether celebrancy is the right path for you.
We are always happy to explain how our courses work, discuss the time commitment involved, answer questions about qualifications and provide honest advice based on your individual circumstances.
Unlike some training providers, we believe there should never be pressure to enrol. Our aim is to provide clear information so that you can make an informed decision with confidence.
Many learners tell us that their initial conversation helped reassure them that they had found the right training provider. We are proud of our approachable and supportive ethos, and we are always pleased to welcome prospective learners who simply want to find out more before taking the next step.
We understand that investing in professional training is an important financial decision, and many learners appreciate flexible payment options.
Where available, we offer payment plans that allow learners to spread the cost of their course over an agreed period, making professional training more accessible without compromising the quality of the learning experience.
Our aim is to make the enrolment process as straightforward and transparent as possible. We clearly explain all course fees, payment arrangements and any relevant terms before learners enrol, ensuring there are no unexpected surprises.
We also encourage prospective learners to consider the overall value of their investment rather than focusing solely on course price. High-quality training, experienced tutors, recognised qualifications and ongoing learner support all contribute to the long-term value of your education.
If you would like to discuss payment options, we are always happy to talk through the arrangements available and help you find the most suitable solution.
We appreciate that life can sometimes take unexpected turns, and despite the best intentions, some learners may need additional time to complete their studies.
If circumstances arise that affect your ability to complete your qualification within the agreed timeframe, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. The earlier we understand your situation, the more likely we are to be able to offer appropriate guidance and discuss the options available.
Where appropriate, extensions may be available in accordance with The School of Civil Celebrancy’s Terms and Conditions. Any extension requests are considered individually and are subject to our published policies and the requirements of the awarding organisation where applicable.
Our aim is always to support learners while maintaining the integrity and quality of the qualification. We encourage learners to remain in regular contact with their tutor so that any difficulties can be identified and addressed at an early stage.
Completing a qualification is a significant achievement, and we will always seek to support learners in reaching that goal wherever reasonably possible.
Yes. We believe that learning should continue long after you have achieved your qualification.
Celebrancy is a profession that is constantly evolving. New ideas, changing expectations, legal developments and emerging best practice all mean that ongoing professional development is essential for maintaining high standards throughout your career.
The School of Civil Celebrancy offers a growing range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities designed to help celebrants expand their knowledge, refine their skills and continue developing professionally.
CPD may include additional learning resources, specialist workshops, webinars, guidance on emerging topics and opportunities to explore different aspects of celebrancy in greater depth.
By continuing to learn, celebrants not only increase their confidence but also enhance the service they provide to families and couples. Investing in CPD demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and a desire to deliver the highest possible standard of care.
We actively encourage all celebrants, regardless of experience, to view learning as an ongoing journey rather than something that ends once a qualification has been achieved.
Qualifying as a celebrant is an important milestone, but it is only the beginning of your professional journey.
Once qualified, many celebrants begin building relationships with funeral directors, wedding venues and other professionals while developing their own celebrancy business. Others may initially work part-time, gradually increasing the number of ceremonies they conduct as their confidence and reputation grow.
At The School of Civil Celebrancy, our relationship with learners does not end when they receive their qualification. We believe that ongoing support, professional development and access to an experienced community can make a significant difference during the early stages of a celebrant’s career.
All learners receive 12 months’ complimentary membership of Civil Celebrant Connection, providing access to a supportive professional community, Continuing Professional Development opportunities, networking, business resources and member benefits.
Many of our former learners continue to stay in touch, attend CPD events and return to complete additional qualifications as they expand their careers.
Our goal is not simply to help people qualify. It is to help them develop the knowledge, confidence and professionalism needed to build a successful and rewarding career in celebrancy.
Yes. Beginning your career as a celebrant can feel both exciting and daunting, and many newly qualified celebrants value having experienced professionals they can turn to for advice.
Through The School of Civil Celebrancy and your complimentary membership of Civil Celebrant Connection, you’ll have access to a supportive community of celebrants who understand the realities of the profession. Whether you have questions about writing ceremonies, working with clients, building your business or managing your first bookings, support is available.
While every celebrant develops their own unique style, having guidance from experienced colleagues can provide reassurance and help build confidence during those early months.
We believe mentoring is not about telling people how to conduct ceremonies. Instead, it is about encouraging reflective practice, sharing knowledge and supporting continuous professional growth.
One of the greatest strengths of the celebrancy profession is its willingness to share experience and support one another. We are proud to foster that ethos within our learner community.
There are many ceremonies a Celebrant can undertake. Many Celebrants specialise in their chosen area, honing their skills appropriately. Others prefer to offer a range of ceremonies as this works for them.
The Certificate levels will cover Funerals and Couples / naming and in the Diploma you could specialise or chose to combine.
You will be a self-employed professional and as such you decide.
Ceremonies you might offer include:
No, it is not mandatory but membership can offer support, insurance, CPD and advice. Your course also includes a year’s membership to the Civil Celebrant Connections (CCC), offering you membership, bespoke insurance, and a supportive community. For further information on CCC, please click here.