testimonials

After 20 years of nursing I decided to further my education in the Funeral Services Profession. Currently I attend full-time studies (Funeral Services) at Humber College (Toronto) plus I remain employed as a Registered Nurse (BScN) but I knew I had to become a Certified Funeral Celebrant in order to bridge my nursing profession with the funeral services profession. I can’t thank you enough Rosanne and Wayne for designing, developing and delivering a truly inspiring, and fun conference experience with ‘Celebrating Life Ministries.’

As I prepare today for my first service just a few weeks after taking the funeral celebrant course I feel compelled to offer a sincere thank you! This course has provided me with the tools and confidence necessary to meet with a grieving family and craft a very personalized and meaningful tribute for a life well lived.

Wayne and Rosanne are both gifted celebrants who clearly understand their strengths in course delivery. Additionally, the level of support that they have personally provided after the course has continued to remind me why I chose CLM and CCAOC. I'm looking forward to taking the New Life and Wedding Officiant courses as well on my way to becoming a Life Celebration Specialist.

Sherri Fitch

There are simply no words to describe the quality and engaging training being provided by Wayne and Rosanne. I recently found out about looking into Life Celebration as a potential career after my financial career comes to an end (I am late-stage financial specialist career). I found, Certified Celebrants of Canada.

The information on their website comes across as authentic and my instincts convinced me that it will be worth spending the money on enrolling for their Funeral Celebrant of Life course. It’s the best training I spent money on, true value for money. Wayne is a straight shooter, a no-nonsense kind of guy, very high integrity, compassion, and firmness. Rosanne shares the same traits. It is evident that both are industry leaders and adapt with time as the funeral and wedding industries change with time. They are committed to upholding the highest standard and ethics.

One may wonder why such services carry a high standard of ethics. It’s more about rendering “just another service”. One is dealing with emotions. People and others, place trust in Celebrants to do the right thing correctly the first time. There are no “do overs”. Ethics and professionalism are the key drivers in ensuring that celebrant services are performed at the highest standard. I believe it is akin to being a pilot. There is no opportunity for a “do over”, must be correct and spot-on the first time. In a similar fashion, the Celebrant Industry is held to a high standard. It requires strong adaptable leadership, as situations differ. Wayne and Rosanne live that required high ethical and professional standard. It’s their passion, its not their job, its their lives. Authenticity is evident, when high standards combine with passion in delivering excellence, all the time.


Eugene van den Berg

As I complete my last phase of this training I reflect on why I did it. Upon my mother's passing in February I made this decision.Today I will dedicate this achievement to her. Your knowledge, candidness and insight into this discipline is phenomenal. I will definitely stay in contact with you as I move forward on the journey of being a Funeral Celebrant. It's my goal to participate in the Marriage Celebrant at a later date. Thanks very much for such a great opportunity.

Best Regards, Joyceline

Hi Wayne and Rosanne.

Just keeping you informed in how successful my time as a funeral celebrant has been since I took your course in 2016. Last week I facilitated funeral number 100 on my list. People are very happy with what I do, and some are calling me back a second time or more because they want me back for the next loved one who passes. Thought you would be glad to know that a student has been very successful. After a full life as a church musician, online instructor and funeral home office assistant, I am in the career that makes me complete, thanks to your course.

Sincerely, Nola Wilson

Hi Wayne and Rosanne.

I enjoyed the training very much. I would say it exceeded my expectations with regards to content. I learned so much about the industry that I was unaware of. It was also interesting to connect with people with such diverse backgrounds. Both you and Roseanne were inspiring; you are both so knowledgeable! The guest speakers were great as well. I enjoyed hearing James speak of his business. There is a shift required.

I got into the civil wedding industry in 2012 because I wanted to offer a more personal experience to couples. Same with this. My parents were Catholic and raised us in that faith. Their funerals were so impersonal! When my dad died, I wrote and delivered a tribute at the reception. It ended with the chicken dance, his favourite. I hope to be able to offer the same to families in my community, maybe without the chicken dance! I know that I will need to practice, and keep my emotions in check. But the 9 years I’ve had doing weddings has at least given me adequate speaking skills!
The only feedback I have is that it would have been helpful to know that the session could go past 1230. Originally it said 2 pm. Otherwise everything was great! Thanks to you both.

Danielle, November 2020

"Wayne and Rosanna are an amazing team. They provide valuable information both from their personal experience and a historical perspective to help you understand and learn valuable skills so that you can provide the best experience possible. There are also amazing guest speakers that not only provide a great avenue for networking but also valuable information to help us understand the profession. If you want to make a difference in people's lives, this is a course you will not want to miss. The time flew by so quickly that by the end, you felt it was only just beginning."

Lorie, May 2020


"The Funeral Celebrant training added greatly to my tool-box and I feel comfortable knowing I have valuable resources through CCAOC. In the time of pandemic constraints, Wayne and Rosanne provided an excellent alternative to in-class training and did so in short order."
Thank you Wayne & Rosanne.

Sue, May 2020


The Funeral Celebrant training was exceptional and quite informative. I felt that it prepared me to be successful in providing a much-needed service to my communities.
Thanks very much!

Vince, May 2020


“I had been twenty-five years in Pastoral Ministry and had conducted many funerals in that time, but the training I received from the Certified Celebrants Association took me to a whole new level of connecting with grieving families and helping them celebrate their loved one. Now I approach every funeral with confidence and a passion to serve people in their time of greatest need. The training is also preparing me to help families celebrate other important events and transitions of life.” 
Garry



 
“As a long-time Life Celebrant and Officiant, I have appreciated the training, coaching and commitment to excellence that is at the heart of the Certified Celebrants Association. This has taken my service to individuals and families to a new level of care and confidence.
Martti



 
My training with CCAOC was phenomenal. I have been able to touch people’s lives in a time of testing and grief that is personal. It has given me the tools that I needed and the confidence to approach each situation with sensitivity and care. The training I received as a Wedding Officiant goes beyond what I ever expected and has prepared me for each unique wedding situation I am involved in helping couples create a wedding beyond their expectations and one of excellence.
Patti



I had the pleasure of having my Funeral Celebrant Training with CCAOC and its team of experts. I found the entire experience to be very fulfilling, and I learned so much about the industry and the upcoming changes.Thank you to Rosanne and Wayne for their life changing and professional training they both gave, you both have changed my life path. Thank you so much for being so inspirational.
Tina



Wayne, I am not sure if you remember me or not, but I took your training in London this past May. Since then I have been asked by several funeral homes to perform funeral ceremonies. Wow what an experience! As a licensed funeral director for many years it sure gives a different perspective on the whole funeral service. Once I got through the first one, the second was a little easier and so on.  I remember that Roseanne said it will take about 200 to be totally comfortable. I have a long way to go but feel I am on my way. I am also glad that I do have a funeral background to answer questions that the family have asked, but again that has taken years to get that experience. Anyway thanks again and I am very glad that I have taken my career in this direction.
Ann



To begin with, I would like to say that the course went well above my expectations. If I remember correctly, the expectations I had were to learn and understand more of the finer nuances of the funeral and end of life related businesses, including understanding some of the terminology which most people confuse. Not only did I learn a considerable amount specific to how the industry works, but I also learned how a third party provider, such as Celebrating Life Ministries can interact with this business. While I have conducted funerals in the past, the material presented and the practical application of some of that material gave me a whole new insight on how to properly provide services to the industry itself as well as those who are grieving a loss. Thank you to you and your whole team.