 | Join us in Chicago, September 22–24, 2026, for InSight Institute Certified Celebrant Training, an intensive three-day program focused on creating personalized, non-traditional funeral and memorial services. Participants learn how to meet with families, gather stories, plan meaningful ceremonies, and confidently lead services that honor each life in a compassionate and authentic way.
Fees
CANA Member Employees: $950
Nonmembers: $1150
Students: $750 (US students must provide proof of enrollment in an ABFSE-accredited or Canadian-accredited funeral service or mortuary science program working toward licensure as a funeral director and/or embalmer; non-US students should inquire with CANA before registering)
To register, email info@cremationassociation.org with proof of enrollment (any school documentation that includes student's name, program, school, and current term). Staff will reply with instructions to register.
InSight Institute Celebrant Training
An InSight Certified Celebrant is a trained professional who helps families create meaningful funeral and memorial services. Celebrants work with families during times of loss to design services that honor the life, personality, values, and beliefs of the person who died.
Celebrants meet with families to listen, offer guidance, and help plan a service that feels personal and respectful. This often includes time for families to share stories, memories, and what made their loved one unique. Celebrants use music, readings, and simple ceremonies to help families create a service that truly reflects the life being remembered.
Celebrants also work closely with funeral directors to plan and lead services such as funerals, memorials, graveside services, cremation ceremonies, and special remembrance events.
Your Trainers
| Glenda Stansbury |
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Kathy Burns |
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Marketing & Development Director of InSight Books, Co-Founder and Dean of InSight Institute Certified Celebrant Program.
Glenda Stansbury has worked as an educator, teacher trainer, and seminar developer. She is also a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma Funeral Department and the Worsham College of Mortuary Science, 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. |
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Graphic Designer for InSight Books, Mortuary School Program Supervisor for InSight Institute, and Continuing Care Mailing Service Manager.
Kathy Burns was a special education teacher for a number of years before joining the staff at InSight. She is also an artist and author of the book Memories Too Few: a Letter to Parents about Pregnancy Loss. She has been a Celebrant since 2004 and became a trainer in 2017. Serving families and teaching others to be there for families at such a vitally important time in their lives is a true privilege. |
What To Expect
Celebrant Training is a three-day, in-person certification program. The training teaches participants how to create and lead personalized funeral services, especially for families who do not want a traditional or religious funeral.
The training includes:
- The value and purpose of funeral services
- Listening and family meeting skills
- Planning personalized services
- Music and reading resources
- Writing ceremonies and tributes
- Closing rituals and symbolic moments
- Master of Ceremonies skills
- Public speaking and presentation
- Building Celebrant services in the community
Each participant receives a Celebrant Training Notebook and a copy of Doug Manning’s book, The Funeral: A Chance to Touch, A Chance to Serve, A Chance to Heal.
After completing the training, participants earn certification through the InSight Institute.
Who Should Attend?
This training is open to anyone interested in helping families through loss and learning how funeral services work. A good Celebrant enjoys working with people and has strong listening, writing, and public speaking skills.
Participants often include:
- Funeral directors and funeral home staff
- Pre-need and aftercare professionals
- Hospice workers and chaplains
- Clergy and pastoral caregivers
- Retired teachers and professionals
- Writers, actors, and speakers
- Students considering helping professions
What You Will Gain
After the training, Celebrants are ready to:
- Offer families a meaningful choice beyond traditional services
- Lead many types of ceremonies with confidence
- Create services that help families grieve, remember, and heal
Families often say Celebrant-led services are deeply moving—and many return years later because the experience mattered so much to them.
FAQs
Do I need to do any reading or preparation before the training?
No, you will be given your materials on the first day of training.
Do I need to bring anything to the training?
You will be given a workbook for taking notes, Doug Manning’s book, The Funeral, as well as a Celebrant flash drive with lots of resources contained on it. You will be assigned to write a eulogy for homework on the second day of training so you will need paper and pen, or your laptop if you prefer, for completing your homework.
Do I need to attend the whole training in order to be certified?
Yes. To inquire about the complete schedule, contact CANA.
May I attend this training even though I am not a funeral director, cremation arranger, cemeterian, etc.?
Yes, all are welcome!
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