Certificate in Celebrant Studies

Mary Hancock has been a Celebrant and Ritual Maker in Auckland for the past 25 years. She is a registered Marriage and Civil Union Celebrant, a foundation member of the Auckland Association of Celebrants, and the Celebrants Association of NZ.

As Celebrants are now offering at 60% of New Zealand marriages and funerals, this programme is for those who wish to train to become celebrants for the major rites of passage (birth, weddings, funerals) and/or ritual makers for major life transitions and celebrations (coming of age, graduation, anniversaries, etc). Professionals, including counsellors, psychotherapists and social workers, may combine and integrate this training into their work.

A minimum of three papers are required to gain a Certificate in Celebrant Studies. Each paper is worth 15 points. Ceremony and Celebration and Professional Development are compulsory. The Ceremony and Celebration paper must be undertaken first.

The remaining papers can be taken in any order of preference.

Course Code: 144960 Ceremony and Celebration
This paper provides an in-depth introduction to the nature of contemporary ceremonies and rituals, the role of the Celebrant and Ritual Maker, and the practical processes of design and development of these ceremonies.
Course Content:
- The Rites of Passage/Transition
- The Nature and Role of Ceremony and Rituals
- Types of Ceremonies and Rituals
- Cross-Cultural Perspectives
- The Celebrant and Ritual Makers
- Design and Implementation of Ceremony and Ritual
- Practical Work and Projects

Course Code: 144961 Marriage& Civil Unions This paper is designed for those who wish to be fully trained as professional marriage celebrants. It includes contemporary commitment ceremonies. This paper also provides continuing education for experienced celebrants to explore new dimensions in their work.

Course Code: 144962 Funeral Celebrant Training
This paper is designed for those who wish to be fully trained as professional funeral celebrants. It also provides continuing education for experienced funeral celebrants to explore new dimensions in their work.

Course Code: 144963 Transition through Crisis
This paper provides training in the design and implementation of ceremonies for the transition through crisis. This includes the nature of contemporary life crises, the nature and stages of loss and grief, the role of design of ceremony and ritual for the transition through crisis.

Course Code: 144964 Professional Development
This paper will provide professional development for contemporary Celebrants and/or Ritual Makers, including communication, cultural identity, bi-culturalism, religious studies, code of ethics and practice, business skills, etc.

The Certificate in Celebrant Studies can be obtained within one year, or part time up to 4 years. All papers are 7 day intensives from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day, and are taught in Auckland. However as places are limited, early enrolment is imperative to ensure a place on this course. If a paper is cancelled for any reason, you will be advised 10 days prior to the commencement date. Please refer to the Enrolment Form for cancellation information.

Please note: Celebrant Studies Certificate is a training programme. For those who wish to apply to become a Registered Civil Marriage Celebrant, application for registration can be made to: The Registrar General, Births, Deaths and Marriages, Central Registry, Department of Internal Affairs, PO Box 10526, Wellington.