Why I Became a Certified Life Tribute Celebrant
When I first moved to Oklahoma, I became a full-time caregiver. One of the residents I cared for during the last six months of her life was Kathy. From the very beginning, Kathy and I formed a deep bond. She was one of the strongest and most resilient people I’ve ever met, despite being one of the sickest.
Kathy’s life wasn’t easy. She battled cancer, lived without a pancreas, relied on a feeding tube, and struggled with mobility. Taking care of her required patience, strength, and unwavering commitment. Yet, despite her challenges, Kathy had an incredible spirit that made me love her deeply—and she loved me in return. I stayed by her side until the very end, even holding space for her in her final moments.
After Kathy passed away, I attended her funeral. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was surprised to find that the family had hired a funeral celebrant—a woman whose role was to share Kathy’s life story. What happened next took my breath away.
The celebrant began to tell Kathy’s story, crafted beautifully from her conversations with Kathy’s family. In that moment, it was as if Kathy came alive again through the words being spoken. I learned more about her in those 30 minutes than I had in the six months I cared for her.
I discovered that Kathy was a vibrant, funny child who had once been a cheerleader in high school. She had owned a successful business in Cordell for many years before embarking on a second career as a brilliant financial advisor later in life. I learned that she loved spending time with her best friends and cherished taking her grandkids fishing. Each memory painted a picture of a woman who had lived a full and remarkable life, a woman I had known but hadn’t fully understood.
I left that funeral profoundly moved. I felt like I had truly met Kathy for the first time, even though I had been so close to her during her final months. On the drive home, one thought kept repeating in my mind: One day, I’m going to do that. I’m going to share the stories of the deceased, just like that celebrant did. Because every life has a story, and every story deserves to be told.
Not long after, I followed through on that promise to myself. I attended training in Oklahoma City to become a certified celebrant. But as I began this work, I made an important decision. Everyone else called it being a funeral celebrant—but I knew that didn’t fit me. I don’t celebrate funerals. I celebrate lives.
That’s why I chose to call myself a life tribute celebrant. My role is not about focusing on the sadness of loss; it’s about honoring and celebrating the fullness of a life lived. Each person’s story is unique, and it’s my privilege to bring that story to life—to give it the recognition it deserves and to create a ceremony that is as extraordinary as the individual being remembered.
Since becoming a life tribute celebrant, I have poured my heart into this work. It has been one of the most fulfilling journeys of my life. For me, this isn’t just about creating ceremonies—it’s about preserving memories, celebrating legacies, and ensuring that every story, no matter how ordinary or extraordinary, is told with love and dignity.
Because every life, like Kathy’s, deserves to be remembered. And every story deserves to be told.