Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics and Professionalism for Certified Life-Cycle Celebrants®

The Celebrant agrees:

  • To support the goals and the mission of CF&I and the Association by setting and maintaining a professional standard of service to the public that will bring credit and recognition to CF&I, the Association, and its individual members.
  • To serve each client with respect, sensitivity, and professionalism, and to provide all services in a timely manner.
  • To offer every client a personalized ceremony that includes their story or information as revealed to the Celebrant through interview and questionnaires.
  • To ensure that clients have complete choice of and final say over their ceremonies, and that the Celebrant’s personal beliefs are immaterial to this process. To encourage clients in choosing and/or approving a ceremony that is satisfying to them.
  • To respectfully provide a ceremony that is as accurate as possible in all respects, including the pronunciation of the names of people, places, and things.
  • To conduct a rehearsal where necessary to the ceremony.
  • To perform the ceremony in a professional, prepared, and appropriate manner.
  • To gift the client/honoree a keepsake (hard copy or electronic) copy of their ceremony.
  • To provide a service that recognizes the unique personalities of the client, being sensitive to their needs, wishes, values, philosophical and spiritual beliefs, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination or harassment (including all forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence) under any program or activity.
  • To comply and keep current with all laws and regulation regarding the performance of marriage and any other ceremony in every country, state, province, or municipality in which the Celebrant practices, including personally obtaining the necessary legal authority to solemnize marriages and appropriately filing client marriage documentation as required by law.