Funeral celebrant Roy Francis convinced Messenger that just as his wife was entitled to a civil celebrant marriage, she was similarly entitled to a civil celebrant funeral. Some 200 people attended and many urged Messenger to continue the work as "much more important than weddings." Messenger credits Dennis Perry, then brother in law of Helen Francis, of being a decisive influence. From this time on some marriage celebrants began to quietly and carefully officiate at funerals when they were asked to do so. On Tuesday 3 May 1977 a group, consisting of some authorised marriage celebrants and some other persons formed an
Celebrant Foundation and Institute Celebrant Foundation and Institute The Celebrant Foundation & Institute (CF&I) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization incorporated in New Jersey. CF&I is dedicated to the education, on line training and certification of professional officiants known and registered as certified Life-Cycle Celebrants ®. Celebrant Foundation & Institute was founded in 2001 and has headquarters in Montclair, New Jersey and on line at www.celebrantinstitute.org. It is a member of the International Federation of Celebrants. What is a Celebrant: Certified Life-Cycle Celebrants® are educated and trained by the Celebrant Foundation & Institute to serve their community via personalized ceremonies, including the following life