Celebration of Life
Celebration of Life Information
Many families today want a service which celebrates the life of their loved one. We introduce them to the concept of a celebration of life, and provide support in designing a celebration of life that is as unique as the life of their loved one.
We always enjoy working together with families in planning a celebration of life for their loved one. While it can be a challenge to put together an event that both pays tribute to and celebrates the life and spirit of a complex individual, it's also one of the most rewarding things any one of us can do for someone we've loved and lost.

What is a Certified Funeral Celebrant?
A Certified Funeral Celebrant is a person who is trained and certified to meet the needs of families during their time of loss. A Celebrant serves by providing a funeral/memorial service/celebration of life that is personalized to reflect the personality and life-style of the deceased. A Celebrant can provide a non-denominational, non-secular service for your loved one, cater to your needs and create a meaningful celebration.

How our funeral home can help
Our funeral home is fortunate enough to have a Certified Funeral Celebrant. Joshua Mitchell was certified in June of 2013 and helps many families every year during their time of need. Joshua will sit down with your family and go over service details, such as, special music, poems, verses, scripture, meaningful tributes, anything that you would like in the service to help celebrate your loved one.
The word "celebrate" may sound odd to some, especially at a funeral home, but it is important to look back on the special times, the memories, the laughs and what makes you remember your loved one the most. A life lived is a life that should be celebrated in whatever way is best for your family. Joshua is familiar with services at the funeral home, parks or even your own home. Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes takes pride in helping families to the best of their ability and having a Certified Funeral Celebrant on staff is just another way. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate your loved ones life and Joshua is here to help you in your time of need.
If you have any questions for Joshua regarding celebrant services, please contact him at 585-589-4471.

Sarah York opens her beautifully-crafted book, Remembering Well, with the very personal story about how her family chose to pay tribute to her mother. "My mother died in April 1983... She didn't want a funeral. 'Get together and have a party,' she had said when the topic was allowed to come up." However, she was quick to tell readers that the survivors did not honor the request. "We needed the ritual. We needed to say good-bye, but we also needed a ritual that would honor her spirit and would be faithful to her values and beliefs."
When Ms. York acknowledges the position of her family—that they needed not a party but a ritual—she teaches us all something important: the celebration of life events we plan with families should be shaped as much by their own emotional and spiritual needs as their desire to celebrate the life lived.
While celebrations of life are not burdened by social expectations—they can be pretty much anything you want them to be—it's important to realize that the event you're planning should meet the emotional needs of the guests. So, think about exactly who will be there, and what they're likely to want or need. Then, bring in those unique lifestyle and personality characteristics of the deceased; perhaps add live music or refreshments, and you've got the beginnings of a remarkable celebration of life.

Sources:
Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life & Mourning Death, Sara York
