InSight Books
For years all our Celebrants were trained by the founders of the InSight Institute Certified Celebrant program, Doug Manning and Glenda Stansbury. However, demand for Certified Celebrant training has grown beyond the capacity that only two trainers can provide. So we are proud to introduce you to our cadre of Celebrant Trainers. Each training will be presented by two of our trainers.
President of the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, is the fourth generation of the Bailey family to serve the community. Matthew is a member and past president of Wallingford Rotary Club and has served on the boards of the Rotary Club, the Wallingford Foundation, The Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, the Wallingford Family YMCA, and The Wallingford Public Library. He has also served as a member of the faculty at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in NYC. He was also recognized as the 2021 Funeral Director of the Year by American Funeral Director.
Vice President and Graphic Designer for InSight Books, Mortuary School Program Supervisor for InSight Institute, and Continuing Care Mailing Service Manager. Kathy was a special education teacher for a number of years before joining the staff at InSight. She is also an author and an artist.
Celebrant Coordinator for Busch Funeral & Crematory Services in Cleveland, Ohio. Cathy taught in New Hampshire, Puerto Rico & Pittsburgh, and as an ESL teacher to Japanese auto executives. She also served as the Director of Congregational Care at a large suburban church for 12 years before joining the staff at Busch Funeral Services.
Sara Hawkins serves as the Staff Celebrant for Ward Funeral Homes in Toronto, Brampton and Woodbridge, planning and officiating personalized and meaningful funerals, memorials and Celebrations of Life events for families that are looking for something outside of the more traditional, "cookie-cutter" service. She is also an engaging Keynote Speaker and Workshop Leader, offering engaging and interactive presentations at industry events and conferences across Canada.
Marketing & Development Director of InSight Books, Co-Founder and Dean of InSight Institute Certified Celebrant Program. Glenda has worked as an educator, teacher trainer, and seminar developer. She is also a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma Funeral Department and is a licensed funeral director/embalmer. She is also the recipient of the ICCFA Education Foundation's Lasting Impact Award, and the 2021 Death Care Rock Star of the Year Award from Parting Stone Cremation Rocks Awards.
Since 1978, Doug Manning has dished out his gentle wisdom with compassion and conviction leading him to become a best-selling author, sought-after speaker and a grief expert relied on by the media. His calling as an author and lecturer began after serving as a pastor and counselor for 30 years in churches in Oklahoma and Texas. He had grown increasingly concerned at the lack of knowledge and comfort that he and his fellow ministers had to offer to families when a loved one died and began to study the concept of grieving and the role that the funeral played in assisting a healthy grief journey and recovery.
There are alternatives to the traditional religious funeral service. Our trainers are practicing Certifed Celebrants who are dedicated to teaching others how to write, prepare and present a totally individualized, personalized service that fits the deceased and their family.