Working Together: How IFISS Supports Celebrants
Celebrants play a key role in creating meaningful, personal funerals. However, it’s often a lonely job. Many work on their own, without the kind of backup or support that Funeral Directors or larger teams might have.
That’s where IFISS (Independent Funeral Industry Support Services) comes in.
What IFISS Offers
IFISS provides real, practical support to celebrants and the wider funeral industry. Their services include:
- Training and Education: Running workshops and training sessions on topics from the basics of embalming to understanding grief.
- Emotional Guidance & Wellbeing: Offering crucial emotional support for the taxing nature of the work.
- Industry Connection: Helping celebrants feel more connected to others in the industry through networking and collaboration.
Focused Wellbeing and Resilience
Supporting families during one of the hardest times in their lives can take a toll on your own wellbeing. IFISS addresses this with specialized sessions:
- “Companions in Grief” Sessions: Focus on trauma-informed practice, helping celebrants build resilience and establish healthy boundaries.
- Debriefing Sessions: Provide a lifeline after tough funerals, especially for those without a formal team to talk to. Sometimes, just having someone who gets it makes all the difference.
Collaboration and Networking
IFISS knows that collaboration matters and actively works to bring people together:
- Events: They host conferences, case study panels, and networking events.
- Connecting Professionals: These events give those involved in the funeral industry (Celebrants, Funeral Directors, and other funeral professionals) the chance to connect.
- Improving Practice: These spaces are all about learning from each other, sharing challenges, and improving working relationships—especially concerning tricky family situations or improving the relationship with Funeral Directors.
Resources and Referral Network
IFISS also provides useful resources for practical connection and work expansion:
- Referral Network: A resource that helps link Funeral Directors with Celebrants around Australia, as strong connections make the whole industry better.
AFCC members are invited to email: info@ifiss.com.au with their contact information if they are interested in making new funeral connections and expanding their funeral celebrancy work.
Note: There is no charge for Celebrants to register. You will be contacted if a Funeral Director contacts IFISS looking for a recommendation/name of a Celebrant in the same area.
Access for Celebrants
- Members of the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants (AFCC) have access to IFISS workshops.
- IFISS is always happy to speak at OPD (Ongoing Professional Development) days or other gatherings.
At IFISS, they believe that when Celebrants feel supported, everyone benefits—families, colleagues, and the wider funeral community. They are very keen to keep building those bridges—together.
Find Out More and Download the Magazine
Want to read more about how IFISS can support your work?
Download your copy of the Celebrant Magazine and find the IFISS feature on page 27