It was a coincidence that Stefanie Rotherbl took up a very unusual profession.
The 41-year-old woman is a freelance speaker.
Ebersberg
- in 2018, she had taken over the wedding ceremony at the wedding of a cousin - out of pure courtesy - after the civil ceremony instead of a church marriage.
She was then asked if she could do this for friends too.
When they thought she was a registrar there, the state-certified nanny decides to make this her job.
Because training was important to her, in 2019 she completed a freelance speaker at the IHK in Bonn and also took part in seminars on funeral speeches.
“Graduated with a certificate,” she says proudly.
Also working with the pastor
The woman, who grew up in Pfaffing and has lived for ten years in the Ebersberg district of Neuhausen, who has also worked in geriatric care, replaces the pastor at weddings or funerals if the newlyweds do not want to do without a church wedding or a festive ceremony Deceased does not want to be buried in church.
“But there are also cases at funerals where I work with the pastor,” says the native of Munich.
Often, she explains, very little is said about the deceased at funeral services.
But it is important to her to make the last way as beautiful as possible and to honor the deceased and his life.
Around 30 hours of preparatory work
She meets with the bereaved in advance, lets them tell about the dead person and then writes her speech.
“I'm usually busy for ten hours,” she reveals.
For weddings, the preparation effort is even greater.
Rotherbl speaks of 30 hours of preparatory work.
She meets the bride and groom, empathizes with their hearts' desires and discusses everything that the future couple can dream of for their holiday.
"You have to tell a story"
"It is important, both at weddings and at funeral services, that you tell a story," said the mother of two.
Your equipment is very simple.
What she needs is simply a sound system including microphone and headset.
At weddings, she takes on the entire ceremony, including the greeting and music.
“But it can also be very different.
It always depends on the wishes and ideas of the bride and groom. ”She tells of a couple who want a monkey to hand over the rings to them at the wedding.
Unthinkable in church or at the registry office.
"Of course, I support the two of them and help to make it happen." How?
You want to inquire at a zoo.
It is crucial that as a freelance speaker, "a wedding is always designed the way the bride and groom want it."
Rotherbl is certain that not everyone can do this job.
“You need talent and empathy.” In addition: “It has to be easy to talk in front of many people.” The freelance speaker is not only available for weddings and weddings.
You can also hire them for birthdays, anniversaries, inauguration ceremonies or even for baptisms, whereby the baptism is then called the welcome party.
Cooperation with undertakers and wedding planners
How does she get her customers?
She works with undertakers and wedding planners.
“But the decisive factor is word-of-mouth propaganda.” At the moment, however, business is rather sluggish due to the corona pandemic.
In normal times, she could be hosting a wedding almost every weekend and several funerals a week.
Much has since been canceled.
You have to raise around 1000 euros for a wedding.
A funeral speech costs roughly 400 euros.
But she speaks for it for 20 to 25 minutes.
Weddings last 45 minutes.
"The job has to be fun," she notes unequivocally - and: "You always have to stay cool and relaxed, no matter what."
What do you learn in training?
“Of course you are taught how to write speeches.
And you get voice lessons.
You are also taught marketing. ”There are now a few free speakers, including here in the area.
In principle, this business has a promising future, because more and more people want to do without the church, but not on atmospheric moments.
Is she a believer herself?
Yes, she says, but sees no contradiction in what she does.
"The most important thing is that you make people happy."
pke
