A Quiet Milestone Worth Marking

Recently, I reached a milestone that feels important to pause and acknowledge: I passed my Funeral Live Assessment as part of the AMC Master Celebrant training. 

On paper, it marks the end of a course. In reality though, it represents months of personal challenge, steady growth, and learning to sit with discomfort rather than move away from it.

Funeral work didn’t feel as easy for me. While other areas of celebrancy came more naturally, this discipline asked for something deeper. It required me to examine my own relationship with grief, the vulnerability it brings out in me as well as responsibility of being there for my families. That was confronting at times, but there were also moments when self-doubt gently but persistently spoke to me. I questioned whether I was “getting it right,” whether my voice was strong enough, and whether I could truly hold the space that families need at such tender moments.

In those moments, I dug deep with tenacity and persevered — but not without seeking feedback and ongoing support. As my assessor reflected in their feedback, “It’s been clear that funerals felt more challenging for you than the other disciplines… And yet, what has stood out most is how you approached that challenge.” That acknowledgement mattered deeply to me, because the journey wasn’t about pretending confidence where it didn’t yet exist, but about staying open, reflective, and willing to keep going even when things felt hard.

Training as a funeral celebrant isn’t about performance. It’s about presence. It’s about learning when words are helpful, and when silence speaks more kindly. And over time, something in me shifted. A steadiness settled in. A trust in my own instincts began to grow. And after my final assessment I was told, “You haven’t just passed, you’ve gone above and beyond what might have been expected. In fact, you’ve excelled, and that has come directly from your resilience, your growing self-belief, and your commitment to doing this well.”

One small but meaningful moment during my final assessment captured that growth clearly. Due to an unexpected delay beyond my control, I was left waiting. But instead of becoming flustered, I calmly used the time to prepare, recording myself and staying focused. That moment was noted too: “You used the time calmly, took the initiative… remaining super professional and polite, as you have done throughout the course.” It felt affirming not because it was perfect, but because it reflected how far I’d come.

Ending the course with the words “I am proud too and very happy to now call you a colleague” is something I will always carry with me. 

The ceremonies I am not qualified to hold matters. They deserve humility, care, and continual reflection. I am now looking forward to stepping forward as a Master Celebrant with gratitude, respect, and a deep commitment to serving families well.