Careers for the over 50’s

As we age, the idea of changing careers can seem daunting, especially for those over 50. The good news is that transitioning into a new profession can bring a sense of rejuvenation, fulfillment, and purpose. A new career training as a Funeral or Wedding & Family Celebrant is an especially rewarding option, allowing individuals to harness their life experiences and skills in a meaningful way. If you have considered a new pathway, here’s why becoming a celebrant may be the perfect next step for you.

One of the most appealing aspects of a career as a celebrant is the flexibility it offers. Unlike traditional office jobs, celebrants often have control over their schedules. This flexibility allows you to balance work with personal commitments, whether caring for family members, pursuing hobbies, or simply enjoying your retirement. Many celebrants work part-time enabling them to choose the number of ceremonies they wish to conduct per month.

Transitioning into this field allows you to leverage the invaluable skills you have developed over the years. Skills such as communication, empathy, and organisation are essential in celebrancy. If you’ve spent years working in customer service, education, social work, or any profession that required interaction with people, you likely possess the interpersonal skills necessary to connect with people during both joyous and sorrowful times.

Moreover, working as a celebrant means you are in a position to provide comfort and support to those navigating significant life events. Your ability to listen and relate to others can greatly influence how you craft meaningful and personalised ceremonies, showcasing your unique understanding of life’s complexities.

For many, the most enriching aspect of becoming a celebrant is the opportunity to share personal stories and insights. Everyone’s life journey is unique, and the experiences you’ve gathered over the years can greatly contribute to your role as a celebrant. Whether it’s advice, traditions, or wisdom, your past can help you connect in profound ways with clients.

Furthermore, this role allows you to conduct meaningful meetings with families and couples, helping them articulate their thoughts and feelings into a ceremonial format that honours the occasion. By doing so, you are not only telling their story but also celebrating their legacy, which is an incredibly fulfilling way to make an impact on people’s lives.

Starting a new career as a celebrant does not require formal qualifications. However, our acclaimed celebrant training programs can equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed. Having been established since 2007, we are one of the U.K.’s longest-established and most experienced celebrant training organisations, with a wealth of personal experience and knowledge to share with you.

The Fellowship of Professional Celebrants also offers a supportive community, connecting you with mentors and peers who can share their experiences and guidance as you embark on this new career path. Your personal network may also provide a collaboration opportunity, as friends and family can assist with connecting you to clients in need.

If you’ve felt the calling to step into a role where you can truly make a difference, training to be a funeral celebrant or wedding celebrant might just be the right choice for you. It is an opportunity to step into a fulfilling role that combines flexibility, the use of valuable life skills, and the chance to bring personal and professional experiences to the forefront.

The act of celebrating life, whether through joyous weddings or honouring those who have died can be deeply gratifying. As people over 50 often look for new ways to contribute meaningfully to the world, embarking on a celebrancy career can provide not just income, but a renewed sense of purpose and community.

Read what 58 year old Cathy Walsh had to say about her role as funeral celebrant, after training with us just over 18 months ago:

Photo: (Cathy with husband, whom she says supports and encourages her with all her decisions)

My name is Catherine Walsh, I am based in Wigan in the Northwest. Having been a CBT therapist and Counsellor in Private Practice for over 24 years and approaching 58 years old I wanted something new and fresh to do, I was tired and wanted to go part time, something where I could use my skills as a therapist, still helping and healing, still being creative but new and exciting. I believe the universe put an old school friend in my path who drove for a local Funeral Directors. We had a coffee and a chat, he suggested I would make an excellent Funeral Celebrant, something he also had an interest in, and I do believe he would be very successful too. I have to be honest, I had never heard of a Celebrant before, but from what he said and after a bit of Googling, I believed this was my answer and my next calling.

I enrolled with Terri at the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants (FPC) soon after, I would have preferred the classroom based training, but the dates didn’t work for me, so I decided to do the online course via zoom. This as it happened didn’t affect the quality or content of training with Terri and Alex, it was first class and invaluable. I believe my background in therapy and vast experience working with bereavement in a supporting and therapeutic role has been beneficial in working with families, I have worked with suicide, baby deaths and sadly many murders over the years as a counsellor, I am also qualified in family and couples therapy so nothing has phased me thus the transition has been smooth, I trained in August 2024. As of now (March 2026) I have just been booked to lead my 150th service, and my 5th holiday ~ very important to have those in order to rest and re-charge.

I also kept up my supervision which was mandatory in Therapy once per month as duty of care to myself, I have officiated seven baby services in the last 12 months and had several other particularly challenging services. I have also suffered with some personal difficult health challenges, so it is imperative to look after yourself.

My journey as a Celebrant has been brightened with my choice of shoes. I always wear Ruby Shoo footwear for family meetings and services, it was a Funeral Director that suggested it when I rocked up for our first meeting in Ruby Shoo shoes. The families love them, I coordinate with the deceased favourite colour or football team? The blue ones below I purchased for my first baby service. I have around twenty pairs and around a dozen matching handbags for social occasions. Brings a bit of colour to an otherwise dark day. The attendees always stop and comment too, men and women, it’s lovely to bring a smile to many with something so simple.

Overall, I find the role incredibly rewarding. It is humbling and we are in a very privileged position. To be part of the final journey of someone held so precious, to be able to bring healing, comfort and in many cases humour on what is otherwise a very sad and painful day, to tell their story and create a space for healing, connecting all those left behind. This is one of the parts of the role I really love, bringing weeks of preparation together and holding space, honouring not just the departed but the whole congregation as they all played a part in the journey. I took a huge leap of faith, and it has been worth every moment. I owe huge thanks to Terri Negus and the members of the FPC.

https://www.catherinewalshcelebrant.co.uk

So if you’re over 50 and any of this speaks to you, why not take the opportunity to take on this deeply rewarding work and consider training as a celebrant. It’s a path that not only enriches your life, but also enriches the lives of others.

We are always happy to schedule a no-obligation chat either on the phone or via Zoom, so get in touch today to find out more. The world of celebrancy awaits you.