Students are immersed in the history of rituals and traditions around the world, the choreography and management of ceremonies and ceremonial public speaking. They also have opportunities to learn from experienced Celebrants before they officiate on their own.

Students will read from authors who provide the foundation for the study of ritual, mythology, weddings and death and dying, including such texts as The Rites of Passage by Arnold van Gennep, Deeply into the Bone by Ronald Grimes, The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell, Rites of Passage by Wall & Ferguson, The Conscious Bride by Sheryl Nissinen, Gay & Lesbian Weddings by Toussaint & Leo, Joining Hands and Hearts by Susanna Macomb, Sacred Dying by Megory Anderson, Remember Well by Sarah York and The Mourner’s Dance by Katherine Ashenberg.

Here is what serveral students had to say about the course:

I’m not only extremely excited to now be a practicing Celebrant, but incredibly CONFIDENT in my vocation – and it’s because of the support of my classmates, instructor and the Celebrant Foundation. I honestly cannot thank you enough. I’m incredibly pleased with my investment.
~ Class of 2008 Graduate

"It exceeded my exectations and I am grateful for the experience. Even if I wasn't going to become a celebrant, I believe this past year has enriched my life and had a significant impact. It has expanded my understanding of ritual and ceremony and the role they can play in our individual, family and community levies to enhance our relationships and connections to one another, as well as increase our self-awareness. Thank you so much for all your effors to create and sustain this opportunity."
~Class of 2008 Graduate

“I am amazed at how in such a short time our study group has developed the sense of safety and trust with each other to share the stories and moments of pain/change/growth of our lives. It sets this class apart as being more than just a handing out of information as in traditional classes. This class has become in itself a transformational process and a feeding of one’s soul.”
~ Class of 2007 Graduate

Course Schedule. The course runs from October 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010.

• In October 2009, you will participate in an online independent study program. All materials will be posted in an online classroom, and you will have access to an ongoing online student forum to discuss the readings with your classmates from all over the country as you go along. The Foundation also provides you with streaming online videos of Celebrant-conducted ceremonies for you to observe.
• From November 2009 to the end of January 2010, with time off for holidays, you will take the core course “Fundamentals of Celebrancy”, which covers the theory behind creating ritual and ceremony, symbolism, the building blocks of good ceremony, the creation and practice of effective ceremonies, and ceremonial public speaking.
• From February to the end of April 2010, you will begin your specialty course in the certificate program of your choice – Weddings, Funerals or Families & Children. Classes meet for one hour per week.
• You will graduate as a Certified Celebrant in May 2010, date to be announced.

Early Bird Tuition.

For students who apply, are accepted, and enroll by July 13, 2009, tuition for your initial certificate program is frozen at the current rate of $2,000. After that date, tuition increases to $2,100.

Early bird tuition is payable as follows:

After July 13th, tuition is due as follows:

$1,050 due by September 15, 2009
$1,050 due on January 15, 2010

You may take two certificate courses simultaneously with approval of the Academic Director. Tuition for the additional certificate is $700, payable with your second installment.

All tuition payments can be made by Visa/MasterCard by calling the office at 973.746.1792.

You may take two certificate courses simultaneously with approval of the Academic Director. Tuition for the additional certificate is $700, payable with your second installment.

Additional Costs:

Students are required, during the course of study, to arrange and pay all fees for a qualified professional vocal evaluator to assess their public speaking and presentation abilities. Additional textbooks that may be required to be purchased are solely the responsibility of the student and not the Celebrant Foundation & Institute. The vast majority of study materials is included in tuition and is downloadable from the Institute’s web site.

Refunds. Tuition is refundable until you (a) receive your password to access the course materials or (b) the first day of class, whichever comes earlier.

Where do I take classes?

For area students who so choose, classes are taught at our North Jersey Institute in Montclair, New Jersey.

For Distance students
Classes are taught in an innovative online program in small groups via real-time chat. Your journey to becoming a Celebrant will be enhanced by interaction with your online chat group and experienced Celebrants.

All students will have access to our online classrooms and the online library, which feature sample ceremonies of all types, sample contracts and client interview questions, and more. The classrooms contain your homework assignments and readings, as well as a message board where you can discuss Celebrancy topics with students all across North America.

Computer Requirements
Whether you are taking the program in person or online, you will be required to use the online features of the course. To access these features you must have:

How do I apply for admission?
Students interested in applying for admission should contact Cynthia Reed, Director of Academics or Charlotte Eulette, North American Director at (973) 746-1792. To apply, you’ll need to submit the following:

The Institute may then conduct an in-person or telephone interview with you. Your application materials may be submitted by fax to (973) 746-1775, by email to Charlotte Eulette, North American Director at charlotte@celebrantusa.com or by mail to:

Celebrant Foundation & Institute
93 Valley Road, Second Floor
Montclair, New Jersey 07042
Attn: Admissions Committee

Certificate Programs: Celebrant Foundation & Institute
(effective December 2007)

Core Course:

Fundamentals of Celebrancy:
Prerequisites: None
Concepts Covered:

Certificate Course: Weddings and other Ceremonies for Couples
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Celebrancy

Topics: Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies, Vow Renewals, Engagements and Anniversaries

Concepts Covered:

• Legal Issues for Wedding Celebrants
• Wedding Ceremony Structure
• Client Relations, Interviewing and Setting Fees
• Storytelling and Ceremony Writing
• Comparative Rituals for Weddings
• Suggesting and Selecting Ceremony Elements
• Research for Ceremony Creation
• Rehearsals
• Weddings Performance
• Commitment Ceremonies
• Engagements, Vow Renewals and Anniversaries
• Ceremony Writing Exercises
• Marketing

Topics: Funerals, Memorials, Divorce, Downsizing and Job Loss, Animal Companions, Illness, Survival, End of Life Celebrations, Healing.

Concepts Covered:

• Funeral Ceremony Structure
• Ceremonies for Committal of the Body
• Writing a Eulogy and Personalizing the Ceremony
• Interviewing Clients and Working with Families
• Special Issues: Ceremonies for Infants & Children, Violent Deaths, Suicide
• Funeral History and Customs
• Performing Funerals
• Working with the Funeral Industry
• Ceremonies (of all kinds) for Animal Companions
• Ceremonies for Terminal Illness
• Healing, Survival and Celebration
• Transitions in the Workplace: Job Loss, Career Change and Retirement
• Transitions in the Family: Divorce, Home Leaving
• Ceremony Writing Exercises
• Marketing

Topics: Baby Namings & Welcomings, Coming of Age, Rituals for Blended Families, Birthdays and Graduations, House Dedications, Ceremony and Ritual for Every Day, Men’s and Women’s passages, Seasonal Ceremonies

Concepts Covered:

• Becoming a Family: Ceremonies to Welcome Children
• Coming of Age
• Coming Home: Ceremonies for Dwellings
• Birthdays, Graduations and Reunions
• Gathering Families: Graduations, Milestone Birthdays and Family Reunions
• Men’s and Women’s Passages
• Ceremony and Ritual for Everyday
• Honoring the Seasons, Celebrating the Earth
• Interviewing Clients and Working with Families
• Ceremony Development and Performance
• Ceremony Writing Exercises
• Marketing