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Hello, I'm Dave, and I'm truly sorry for your loss. I have a passion for helping families cope with loss and grief. I know firsthand what it's like to lose a loved one, having lost my precious 5-year-old daughter (Jackie) to an inoperable brain tumor. I became a Funeral Celebrant and Grief Pastor to help grieving people. My pain became my purpose and my mess became my ministry.

Saying goodbye is one of the most toughtest days in someone’s life. I will help you say goodbye to your loved one. I am a Certified Funeral Celebrant (Life Tribute Professional) and Grief Counselor, who enjoys serving families by performing personalized eulogies and life tributes in Southern California. I truly believe a meaningful Celebration of Life service can be the first step toward healing.

celebrant DAVE

Every Life is Worth Celebrating!

testimonials

Thank you so much for a wonderful memorial service for my father. Everybody loved the service and your words about my father. Most importantly, my mother was especially pleased, which I think helps her with her grieving and acceptance. I am grateful that you were able to help us through this very important step in the process.
 
~ Patty Miller - Santa Barbara, CA

“Everybody loved the service and your words about my father.”

TESTIMONIALS

I can't begin to tell you how much your service meant to me and my family. You found a way to capture my dad's life and spirit that was genuine and pure. You've received many compliments from those in attendance! Thanks for making us feel so special.

~ Jessica Pinto Nedick - Burbank, CA

“I can't begin to tell you how much your service meant...”

TESTIMONIALS

Words cannot express the feeling in our hearts. You helped us put together a very difficult day and we are deeply grateful for your support and guiding hand. Thank you for all your kind words and for sharing in the celebration of my dad's life. 

~ Sandy Schaub - Calabasas, CA

“Words cannot express the feeling in our hearts.”

Testimonials

Thank you for making a beautiful and memorable service and celebration for my dad. Thank you for listening to our stories of my father, sharing your life, and indeed, helping us cope and start the healing process. Thank you for making us all feel so comfortable. My family is so happy with the help you gave us.

~ Linda Harvey - Simi Valley, CA

“Thank you for listening to our stories of my father.”

TESTIMONIALS

We want to thank you for a lovely ceremony. We felt you knew my dad from the way you spoke about him. It was more than we asked for, and better than we ever expected. On behalf of my family I'd like to say it was a pleasure meeting you and spending time with you.

~ Cher Woywod - San Dimas, CA

“We want to thank you for a lovely ceremony.”

TESTIMONIALS

Dave truly puts his heart and soul into helping families. He's faced the greatest loss of a child in his own life and answered that loss by helping other people who are grieving. I entrust my families to Dave, because I know they will be cared for and well-served. As I've spoken with families that Dave has served, he is a man who is making a difference in lives every day!

~ Pam Vetter, Celebrant - West Hills, CA

“Dave truly puts his heart and soul into helping families.”

TESTIMONIALS

I recommend Dave to you. He's a person who has been through grief and sorrow. He knows the journey and will be a companion with you on yours. He is genuine, deep, personable and a man of integrity. When planning a funeral, you need someone who will listen to you and combine your memories and needs creatively into a powerful and meaningful service. That is what Dave does.

~ Dr. Galen Goben, Grief Support Director - Forest Lawn

“I recommend Dave to you. He knows the journey of grief.”

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you for your comforting words and for presiding over Mary's Celebration of Life service during this difficult time. Everything you said was deeply appreciated and described Mary perfectly. Once again, thank you for everything.

~ Dennis Shriver - Mission Viejo, CA

“Everything you said was deeply appreciated.”

TESTIMONIALS

In a broad sense, the term “celebrant” simply refers to one who celebrates anything. An InSight Certified Celebrant is a person who has been trained and certified through InSight to meet the needs of families during their time of loss and to celebrate the life of the deceased. A Celebrant will meet with the family to offer guidance and consulting while planning a personalized and meaningful funeral to honor the loved one, as opposed to taking a “cookie cutter” approach to funerals. A Celebrant will have a Family Meeting Time for sharing of stories and memories. A Celebrant has a wide library of resources for readings, music and other special ceremonies to help the family design a service that honors the life.

Celebrants will work directly with the funeral director on the arrangements and elements of the service and are dedicated to the notion of providing a tribute that reflects the lifestyle and beliefs of the individual. Your service can have any elements, music and readings that are right for you and for your family.

What is a Celebrant?

Celebrants

I can't begin to tell you how much your service meant to me and my family. You found a way to capture my dad's life and spirit that was genuine and pure. You've received many compliments from those in attendance! Thanks for making us feel so special.
~ Jessica Pinto Nedick - Burbank, CA

“I can't begin to tell you how much your service meant ...”

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you so much for a wonderful memorial service for my father. Everybody loved the service and your words about my father. Most importantly, my mother was especially pleased which I think helps her with her grieving and acceptance. I am grateful that you were able to help us through this very important step in the process.
 ~ Patty Miller - Santa Barbara, CA

“Everybody loved the service and your words about my father.”

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you for making a beautiful and memorable service and celebration for my dad. Thank you for listening to our stories of my father, sharing your life, and indeed, helping us cope and start the healing process. Thank you for making us all feel so comfortable. My family is so happy with the help you gave us.
~ Linda Harvey - Simi Valley, CA

“Thank you for listening to our stories of my father.”

TESTIMONIALS

We want to thank you for a lovely ceremony. We felt that you knew my dad from the way you spoke at the service. It was more than we asked for and better than we ever expected. On behalf of my family I'd like to say it was a pleasure meeting you and spending time with you.
~ Cher Woywod - San Dimas, CA

“We want to thank you for a lovely ceremony.”

TESTIMONIALS

Dave truly puts his heart and soul into helping families. He's faced the greatest loss of a child in his own life and answered that loss by helping other people who are grieving. I entrust my families to Dave, because I know they will be cared for and well-served. As I've spoken with families that Dave has served, he is a man who is making a difference in lives every day!
~ Pam Vetter, Celebrant - West Hills, CA

“Dave truly puts his heart and soul into helping families.”

TESTIMONIALS

I recommend Dave to you. He is a person who has been through grief and sorrow. He knows the journey and has the ability to be a companion with you on yours. He is genuine, deep, personable and a man of integrity. At the time of planning a funeral you need someone who will listen to you and combine your memories and needs creatively into a powerful and meaningful service. That is what Dave does.
~ Dr. Galen Goben, Grief Support Director - Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA

“I recommend Dave to you. He knows the journey of grief.”

TESTIMONIALS

GET IN TOUCh

This was a special prayer vigil at Lake Mission Viejo to celebrate the life of Christian Taylor. His mother, Tina, loved him more than life itself. At the end of the service we all lit a candle in honor of Christian.

Celebrating a special Life

JUST AS MUCH AS THE BIG ONES.

cares about the small moments

THE AMARETTO COUPLE:

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