Just gave my first service--it went absolutely beautifully. The family's eyes were shining from tears, but also from the love they had for their husband/father. Calling out memories and special moments, I felt I was wrapping them in a big oversized fuzzy blanket. They laughed and cried and were full of compliments after the service. My FD was there as well--also smiling and laughing. Afterwards, she said "good for you. And good for me for realizing how good you'd be!" Perhaps the greatest compliment I got was from the son-in-law who was at the family meeting. He said after I left that evening, he could just feel the whole house relax and they continued to tell stories and laugh well into the night. I still can't believe how completely sensational your training was. You hit every nail smack on the head and gave us an incredible depth of knowledge about what people who have just suffered a loss are going through, how to relate to them and, most importantly, help them. I know not all funerals are going to go so smoothly--but this was just a perfect way to start. Thanks again.
Yardena Rand Celebrant from RI

As I reflected this afternoon, I realized that I had just completed a most marvelous and moving experience this past weekend. Your awakening of our abilities and your deep insights of this social ceremony we call a funeral have just enriched many communities. I am somewhat awe struck that a group of 30 unrelated individuals could produce some of the most moving funeral services of invented but real persons that I witnessed. You have struck a cord with my belief that there has to be something better out there. I am today, excited about my chosen profession. Three days ago my abilities as a plumber seemed a better choice. I am reading your book, "The Funeral" and you have profoundly summed up our days: "We hold in our hands a valuable tool for helping people at the time of their greatest need. We must treasure this opportunity as the ministry of our lives" Thank you for my new found treasure.
Sincerely, Bill Barr

Thanks for the pictures and sending the Resource book. It came in the nick of time. Steve, my husband and partner, had to do a graveside service last week, for a family he has served several times. In the past we've done just some standard simple things when asked to do this. He and I got busy, and wrote out a wonderful service. He delivered it, because they had asked him. How do I know it was wonderful, you ask? A nun from the hospice phoned later to tell Steve it was wonderful. The family raved and asked for a copy of it. . . I wanted you to know how much I appreciated the training, and that we are starting to put the ideas to work. As I went through the training some of the ideas I saw were worth the price of the trip. The other thing I got from the experience is that I am doing a few things right. The hugs I get from the families I serve is wonderful validation, but sometimes it's nice to hear it from one's peers.
Denise Kwiatkowski Omro, WI

Just wanted to let you know that the Celebrant Training Lowell and I took in San Antonio has proven to be very beneficial to our firm. When we spoke in Texas we were not sure if we would actually act as celebrants for our firm. Because of the training I have became more comfortable with the idea and I have not only developed a candle lighting/clergy introduction service for all services held in our facility I have been the Celebrant at 4 celebrations of life with the 5th service on Monday. Without your training I would have never thought of doing this. The families I am serving are those without church affiliation and they have told me they come away feeling good without being preached at. Thank you so much for the training you are doing. Celebrants are most certainly needed, especially for us as a new study found that 80% of Oregonians are un-churched. When you have new information for the Celebrant books please let us know. I would like to take a refresher course in the future but just wanted you to know that we are indeed using the training. Carol Knopp

Hi Glenda and Doug - I finally did my first service! And it happened to be for a friend of the Director of Operations of Baldwin Fairchild's 10 funeral homes. I got rave reviews and a $50 tip. There will be a really nice big article in our news paper on me. I will send you a copy. The experience was SO rewarding and satisfying, it feel's like I was born to do this. Thank you all for what you are doing. It is truly life changing!
Sharon Smalley-Smith Celebrant in FL

One of our staff members, Ryan Gieni, just returned from the Celebrant training course in Toronto. He said that the weekend was fabulous. Absolutely fantastic! He presented some of his learnings to the rest of our staff this morning, and he'll be doing a celebrant service demonstration for us all in the near future. Thank you for providing such an informative, educational and useful training program. We hope to put Ryan's training to good use in the future.
Regards, Kirstie Smolyk Vice President Park Memorial Ltd. Edmonton, AB

I thought I was going to the Celebrant Training in Niagara Falls to get a credential that would improve my employability as an apprentice with the funeral homes. I had no idea that I was joining a movement with a simple but revolutionary mission of compassion at its heart. . ..I'm eager to begin. Your preparation was superb. I wish you a warm reception wherever you go.
Mary McAlister Nelson BC

Hi Glenda!
Many thanks to you and Doug for a fabulous weekend!!! I'm still on a "high" and it isn't from drinking!! I learned SO much and will spend the next few weeks digesting, reading and sorting it all out. Spoke briefly today with Tim (FD) at Nisbett's and raved about the weekend. He and I will sit down in the next few days so I can relate all the info. Have a great deal of support and realize I'm fortunate!
Thanks from my heart for an incredible learning experience! Will keep in touch.
Bev. Templar

Hi Glenda! I just had to share with you that I gave my first service for a family yesterday! Oh my gosh, it was so fun!! It was very simple, a graveside, but I felt really good about how it went. I received many compliments but the best one was at the reception afterwards when one of the ladies came up to me and asked "How did you know Roy?"

Thanks again for the great training week-end in Seattle. The material you provided is awesome and using the internet was very helpful. This gentleman had seen Pretty Boy Floyd's gang as a teenager and his favorite author was Louie L'Amour so it was great fun exploring those things and incorporating them into the service.

Thanks again and hope things are going well for you.

Sue Tarmann, Celebrant Heritage Funeral Home  Spokane, WA