Advanced Tribute Writing

Writing tributes for funerals is a particular art! This practical course provides techniques for enhancing tribute writing and rhetorical skills, the emphasis being on skill development and practical exercises. Hard work, fun, no tears all guaranteed!

Who is this Course for?

This training course is for practicing Funeral Celebrants who have completed the NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy and would like to improve on this central skill, and for those who may feel their tributes are becoming too samey.

It is recommended that delegates have conducted at least 12 funerals before attending the course.

By the end of the training you will have learnt:

• To understand the use of ‘rhetoric’ in tributes.
• How to use stories in tributes and understand the structure of an effective story.
• How to use punctuation to best effect.
• How to carry out a vocal warm up.
• How to use emphasis and clarity.
• How to use a range of advanced writing techniques.
• How to evaluate your own practice in creating and delivering funeral tributes.

Course materials:

Full comprehensive course notes are provided

Duration:

One-day online training, (plus distance learning to be submitted within 6 weeks – if taking full qualification).

Note: Delegates not wishing to acquire the full qualification may just attend without undertaking the associated distance learning.

Course Tutor:

• Anne Barber

Course Fees & Dates

Fee with full qualification – £257.25+VAT (£308.70)*
Fee without qualification – £152.25+VAT (£182.70)*

*AOIC and IOCF members are entitled to a 10% discount.

Next Course Available – Date TBC – Autumn 2021

Feedback from previous course attendees:

I really enjoyed the course. There was a good attendance, and everyone took it very seriously. It was immediately obvious how all the different techniques we were challenged with could be applied to our writing, straight away.
 
I liked the way we were made to turn work around then and there, and then deliver it to our fellow course mates. I felt that, for many of us, it was the first chance we’d had to get good direct feedback from trusted sources, beyond the “lovely service” handshakes that are always so welcome after a ceremony.

I had signed up to do the full qualification as I felt that if the skills encountered on the day were to be of any use I needed the discipline of a deadline and some oversight to make sure they became embedded in my writing. All the exercises really made me work hard to change the language I am most comfortable with, and revisiting some of my early scripts was quite an eye-opener for me. It’s particularly useful doing a ‘before and after’ job on my own work.

Needless to say, the first ‘real’ tribute that next came my way was dramatically different! I also find myself explaining to people more often now, that I am writing to be heard, not read, which makes it easier for them to understand some of my new style. Thanks again for all your encouragement and support. 

‘The course has made me re-think the way in which I do my tributes‘.

‘Excellent challenge to develop new skills’.

‘I’ve waited to email till I’d written a few ceremonies and had the chance to try out some of the things you taught us the other week.  The day made me reassess how I write, and I’ve changed my introductions and the way I write tributes.

I feel confident again to do what I do and incorporate new ideas as well.  Thank you as ever for even more good stuff to add to the resources and for the support to keep improving what I do.  That phone call to you two and a half years ago was one of the smartest moves I’ve ever made.

‘These techniques will be so helpful and will make the client experience much better’.

‘I feel this will really transform the way I produce ceremonies’.

‘How to write a much more interesting and unconvoluted funeral tribute’.

‘Very good, made me realise how much better this could be’.

‘Very relevant, excellent’.

‘Nice & informal but shed loads of content’.

‘What a wonderful day of learning!  The next day I just did 3 tiny tweaks.  But what a difference it made and what a difference in my delivery! Whilst it wasn’t my intention – there wasn’t a dry eye in the room so I had obviously done something right and rather than feel unnatural to me (which I thought it might ) these tweaks felt like the most natural thing in the world. If I didn’t take on board any other changes (and that won’t be the case) my ceremony has already improved greatly. Thank you – brilliant day – brilliant course – brilliant leaders.’

Extremely thought-provoking and challenged my way of writing for the future’

‘As usual – action-packed course!’

‘It was a really very good course’

‘Extremely thought-provoking and challenged my way of writing – for the better!’