Funeral celebrant out for commentary two celebrants he considered outstanding, Brian McInerney and Rick Barclay. International acknowledgment was provided by a comprehensive article in Time Magazine (September 2004) reporting that in the "liberal" cities of Melbourne (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand) civil celebrants "conduct substantially more than half of the funerals." It reported that before 1973 only clergy funerals were available to the general public in Australia and New Zealand. The article describes celebrant funerals as "intimate and personalised". But it also cited an alternative point of view by atheist sociologist Mira Crouch who stated that celebrant funerals were "mawkish and sentimental".
Celebrant (Australia) marriage and the marriage ceremony... a marriage celebrant must maintain a high standard of service in his or her professional conduct and practice... a marriage celebrant must respect the importance of the marriage ceremony to the parties and the other persons organising the ceremony... give the parties information and guidance to enable them to choose or compose a marriage ceremony that will meet their needs and expectations... If requested by the parties conduct a marriage ceremony rehearsal... Ensure that his or her personal presentation is of an appropriate standard for the marriage ceremony, and respect the expectations of the parties