07/24/2025
Nathan Popp of Popp Funeral and Cremation Services recently completed specialized training to become a Certified Funeral Celebrant. Celebrants are a new approach to personalized funerals offered through the Insight Institute and made possible by the National Funeral Directors Association. As our society becomes more mobile and less tied to churches, many people are not affiliated with a religion and do not have a relationship with a clergy person to call upon in times of death. Therefore, celebrants are becoming increasingly popular among those desiring a time of remembrance without traditional religious elements.
A celebrant is not clergy, but rather a nonordained lay-person trained to meet the unique needs of families during their time of loss. They are different from traditional officiants in that they do not rely on liturgy or a religious order of service but instead serve by providing a funeral service that is customized to reflect the personality and lifestyle of a loved one. Celebrants consult with families to help design a service that best reflects and memorializes their loved one; weaving music, photos, readings, personal mementos and unique ceremonies into a one-of-a-kind service of tribute to a life lived. Whereas a funeral director facilitates service arrangements and organizes event logistics on behalf of a family, a celebrant focuses on working with family to gather stories, memories and special moments from their loved one’s life. They craft a eulogy and lead the funeral service, incorporating the unique stories and experiences that define a loved one’s legacy.
A recent Pew Research study reveals that nearly 30% of Americans, roughly three-in-ten adults, have no religious affiliation. Additionally, more than half of those who do associate with a religion do not regularly attend church services, if at all. The current number of 60% who align themselves with faith is down from 75% twenty-five years ago, which was down from 90% twenty-five years before. A large generational gap among the faithful is now clear, with less than 50% of Millennials being affiliated with any religion. The need for funerals that serve all, regardless of religious background, is evident. That is not to say that celebrants are meant as a substitute for clergy or can replace the valued leadership pastors offer their congregants. Celebrants are specially trained in how best to enhance a family’s funeral experiences, which is a different approach from a traditional minister’s education. In fact, a great number of those trained as celebrants are ministers keen to expand their ability to serve. Many churches with smaller congregations no longer have a regular pastor or are limited by pulpit supply schedules, making a celebrant a welcome resource for funerals. Celebrants often work with and support clergy in a team effort for funerals and not necessarily a choice between the two. Religious elements and prayers can be incorporated into a celebrant-led service if a family desires. Some families find strength and comfort with familiar prayers in their church home, while others find more meaning and healing with something more personal. Just as every life is unique, so should a funeral service be and a celebrant help make that possible.
Armed simply with a notepad and an open heart, celebrants help families to articulate memories of their loved one into a one-of-a kind tribute. The process begins with the celebrant meeting for about an hour with family members, allowing them to talk and share stories about who the person was, their interests and all the things that made them special. Topics such as one’s family and lifestyle, work and play, all come together to form the story of an individual’s life, legacy and their lasting influence in the world. Next, the celebrant spends 8-10 hours on their own to reflect and create a meaningful funeral service, designed to celebrate everything that made someone unique. From this, they weave family memories and stories into a written eulogy that is so much more than a routine obituary. Celebrant-led funeral services are significantly different than an ordinary funeral service in that they focus on lifting up the memory of a departed loved one to bring about a sense of healing for family and friends. Everyone’s life is precious and a service in their honor should be just as exceptional.
Nathan and his caring team at Popp Funeral and Cremation Services are delighted to be able to provide a Funeral Celebrant among their service offerings. Founder of the Insight Institute, Glenda Stansbury, said “Nathan has a wonderful, almost poetic, way of telling a life story; his touching descriptions are really going to resonate with the community and help heal those in need.” In addition to being a Certified Funeral Celebrant, Nathan is a funeral director with over 30 years of experience, licensed in WI, IA, MN, and IL. He is also a licensed Agent for Pre-Need Burial Agreements, a Certified Cremation Arranger and Operator and a Wisconsin Notary. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), the International Order of the Golden Rule (ORG), and the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association (WFDA) where he is active on their Legislative Committee. Nathan graduated magna cm laude from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, where he received the Karlton A. Koball Outstanding Professionalism Award, and under his leadership, Popp Funeral and Cremation Services received the NFDA 2024 Pursuit of Excellence Award for exceptional service.
As an independent and locally owned funeral home, Popp Funeral and Cremation Services is dedicated to serving Viroqua and the surrounding area with distinction. They are there to support and guide families in their care every step of the way. Their complimentary pre-planning guidance takes the time to listen and offers experienced professional insight to help people make informed decisions. Whatever one envisions for funeral arrangements, they make planning simple and comfortable. For more information about funeral service options and what makes Popp Funeral and Cremation Services different call 608-637-7041 or visit https://www.poppfcs.com/.
