Celebrating Life on Your Terms

 What Is a Secular Celebration of Life?

And Why So Many Families Are Choosing One

Not everyone belongs to a church. Not every family wants a sermon.
And not every life can be honored with a one-size-fits-all script.

A secular celebration of life is a funeral or memorial service that is non-religious, but deeply meaningful, respectful, and personal. These ceremonies focus on the person’s story, values, and legacy—not a doctrine or tradition that may not represent them or their family.

Many families come to me after experiencing a service that didn’t feel right—maybe a pastor mispronounced a name, delivered a sermon that didn’t connect, or included religious elements that felt out of place. Others simply say, "They deserved better than that."

That’s exactly why the celebrant movement began. Where the Celebrant Approach Comes From

I’m a certified celebrant through InSight Institute, the pioneers who created this approach over 20 years ago. Their philosophy—and mine—is simple:

Every life deserves to be honored in a way that feels true.
 

As a trained celebrant and ordained minister, I write and deliver ceremonies that are:

• Secular or civil, with no religious content unless requested
   
• Story-led, based entirely on conversations with the family
   
• Inclusive, healing, and authentic
   
• Filled with personal touches, laughter, memory, and meaning
   
• Rooted in love—not a script
   

I spend 1–2+ hours with the family before writing the service, so what you hear on the day isn't generic. It’s their life—spoken with care.

A poorly done funeral can leave lasting pain.
A well-crafted one can begin the process of healing.

In a world where fewer people are affiliated with organized religion, secular celebrations of life are a way to honor your person without compromise. They provide space for truth, grace, and emotional honesty—even when the story is complicated.

You deserve a goodbye that reflects the life they lived.
Because love remembers. And remembrance heals.