Professional development · 2026
Led by Eric Gill — practical training with a full manual, written assignments and a hands-on day in Melksham, Wiltshire. Course fee £950.
With Eric Gill
Eric regularly delivers one-day, class-style sessions in Melksham, Wiltshire, giving aspiring celebrants comprehensive guidance and practical experience.
You will leave with written work behind you, feedback on your delivery, and real-life insights to help you begin with confidence — including plenty of stories and practical tips from Eric's own experience.
Fees & arrangements
£950 per person — includes the manual and full-day in-person training.
All 2026 courses are held at the Kings Arms Coaching Inn, Melksham, Wiltshire.
Training dates are arranged at a mutually convenient time. Share your availability and we will do our utmost to accommodate you.
Overnight stays are available at the venue for your convenience.
On successful completion, you can access County Celebrants Network membership for £13 a month as you begin your new career.
Membership after training is separate from the course fee — insurance, a county listing and a profile page when you are ready to practise.
Learn more about joining the Network after training.
A closer look
The training day is a practical “learn how to do the job” session. You present your prewritten work and receive feedback from Eric — not a lecture from someone who has never stood with a grieving family.
Alongside delivery practice, the day covers the real work of celebrancy: talking with families, navigating difficult situations, and building a practice that funeral directors can trust.
How the course works
Once you have signed up and paid the course fee in full, you receive the County Celebrants Network funeral celebrant manual by email — over 80 A4 pages covering the funeral business, grief, bereavement, advertising and practical essentials such as managing tax returns.
When you have reviewed the manual and feel prepared, you are sent assignments: write two eulogies and compose a complete funeral service, using details of the deceased provided so you can build their story into the work.
A hands-on “learn how to do the job” day. You present your prewritten assignments — two eulogies and a full service — and receive feedback and guidance from Eric.
Common questions
Eric Gill, joint founder of the County Celebrants Network. The programme draws on more than 16 years of experience preparing celebrants for meaningful work. Eric regularly delivers one-day, class-style sessions in Melksham, Wiltshire.
After signing up and paying the course fee in full, you receive the funeral celebrant manual by email. When you are ready, you are sent assignments to write two eulogies and a complete funeral service.
2026 courses are held at the Kings Arms Coaching Inn in Melksham, Wiltshire. Dates are arranged to suit your schedule where possible.
The £950 fee covers the manual and the full-day in-person training. Overnight accommodation at the venue is available separately for your convenience.
On successful completion, you can join County Celebrants Network membership for £13 a month, supporting you as you begin practising as a funeral celebrant.
Ready to begin?
Contact Eric to discuss the course and share your availability, or send an enquiry via the Network.