“Dad wanted his service to be about how important his family and friends were to him.”
“Mom didn’t go to church and didn’t want a religious funeral.”
“We are spiritual but not members of a church.”
A Celebrant is a person who is trained and certified to meet the needs of families during their time of loss. A Celebrant creates a personalized tribute service to reflect the personality and life-style of the deceased.
Hillier is the first funeral home to utilize Funeral Celebrants in the Brazos Valley. As a Funeral Celebrant who conducts funerals for those who do not wish to have the traditional, religious experience, I've seen the power of gathering, of ceremony, of stories to pave the path to begin the grief journey. I've also seen the damaging effects to those who deny or disavow a gathering experience.
It can take much longer to find a place of adjustment and healthy grieving when those needs are ignored and avoided. It's not about the cost or the flowers or the casket or urn. It's about the healing power of speaking and embracing and acknowledging. So, call it a tribute, a gathering, a memorial, a funeral--please just have one. It’s important to you, your health, your family and your community to carve out that sacred and special time to remember. — Glenda Stansbury
Like the past trend with cremation, in recent years we have been noticing increasing requests for non-religious ceremonies. In fact, onMarch 9, 2009, an Associated Press article written by Rachel Zoll waspublished. It presented the report from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut which surveyed 54,461 adults from February through November of 2008.
Serving families who are not members of a place of worship is not new for us. In the past when arranging a service, families often asked if we could recommend a clergy person because they were not members of a church.
This is a request we continue to fulfill for some families. However, more recently we have been noticing a changein that a growing number of families when arranging a service arespecifically requesting to not have clergy present. They have alsoasked how we can help. Feeling obliged, we responded by having our associates further their education to become Certified Celebrants.
Glenn Anthony Duhon, Jr.
Certified Celebrant
The comprehensive training for Certified Celebrants is established by The In-Sight Institute and assures your family that they are being served by someone who understands the process and is prepared to offer the very best uniquely personalized tribute service possible.
Our Certified Celebrant will work with you to create a custom tribute that can include favorite music, poetry, scripture, prayer and most anything you can imagine, wish or request.
You may consult with your funeral director about finding a Celebrant in your area or go to www.insightbooks.com and look under Find a Celebrant.
You are welcome to call us any time of the day, any day of the week.
You may also visit our funeral home in person at your convenience.