FAQs

What do you do as a Funeral Celebrant?

I work with families and friends to co-create ceremonies that make their loved one’s life story the centerpiece of the ceremony. I put forth my best effort to “Honor a Life Like No Other With a Ceremony Like No Other.”

Why did you become a Celebrant?

My first college degree was in Human Services, and I chose that field because I have a deep desire to connect with people and be of assistance when they are in need. My second degree involved Journalism, and I have written over 2,000 stories for publication over the past 25 years. I really love telling a person’s story, and one of my most cherished sayings is “Every Life Story Deserves To Be Told, And Told Well.” Becoming a Funeral Celebrant was a natural and compelling pathway to combining these skills and values.

Your promotional material states that you put forth an effort “to turn spectators into participants.” Does this mean everyone has to stand up and speak?

No, it does not. I make sure everyone who co-creates the ceremony has an opportunity to contribute some story, or poem, or memory, and I can read any of these offerings if the person chooses not to do so. If the person wants to share publicly, but needs some guidance to do so, I am trained to help. Sometimes, people change their mind at the last minute, and I can adjust to any such developments. The main theme is, “The more personal a ceremony is, the more powerful it is,” and the ultimate goal is to assure that the loved one’s story is told, and told well.

Where are the services held?

If a family chooses a Funeral Celebrant to celebrate their loved one’s life, does that mean there cannot be a “religious” component?

No, the basis of my mission is to make sure the ceremony is exactly what a family wants. It is common for a clergy member to read some Scripture, and the Celebrant to work with the family and friends to tell the person’s life story. However, many families do choose a Celebrant because they do not have a significant connection with a church but want to have a meaningful ceremony/celebration.